Djokovic extends win streak at home
Source: Agencies |
April 29, 2011, Friday
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NOVAK Djokovic cruised to his 25th consecutive win this season by beating Romanian qualifier Adrian Ungur 6-2, 6-3 in his clay court opener in the second round of the Serbia Open in Belgrade on Wednesday.
The No. 2-ranked Serb is off to the best start to a season since Ivan Lendl swept his first 25 matches in 1986.
He has won 61 of 67 sets and four tournament titles on three continents, including the Australian Open, to take the No. 2 ranking from Roger Federer - the last player to beat him.
On Wednesday, Djokovic was broken twice in front of his home crowd but never really looked in trouble against Ungur.
"It's tough to play on clay after almost a year," Djokovic said. "It will take a bit to get used to it."
Earlier, Spanish duo Albert Montanes and Feliciano Lopez both advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament managed by Djokovic's family.
The fourth-seeded Montanes rallied to beat Michael Berrer of Germany 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Lopez defeated wild card Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-4, 7-6 (4). Montanes won seven straight games starting at 2-2 in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead in the decider before cruising to victory.
Lopez broke for a 2-1 lead in the second set with a forehand winner after chasing down a drop shot by Gonzalez. The Chilean, who was playing his first tournament since returning from an eight-month injury layoff because of hip surgery, broke back immediately but couldn't stop Lopez from converting his third match point in the tiebreaker.
Earlier, Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia also advanced by beating Ricardo Mello from Brazil 7-5, 6-3 during another wind-swept day of the Serbia Open. Kavcic is to play Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
"He beat me while we were 14-year-olds, and it's time for a revenge," Djokovic said.
In Portugal, Robin Soderling won his first match of the season on clay, beating Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in the second round at the Estoril Open.
Soderling faces a stern test in the quarterfinals where he will meet eighth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro, who beat him in straight sets in Miami.
The No. 2-ranked Serb is off to the best start to a season since Ivan Lendl swept his first 25 matches in 1986.
He has won 61 of 67 sets and four tournament titles on three continents, including the Australian Open, to take the No. 2 ranking from Roger Federer - the last player to beat him.
On Wednesday, Djokovic was broken twice in front of his home crowd but never really looked in trouble against Ungur.
"It's tough to play on clay after almost a year," Djokovic said. "It will take a bit to get used to it."
Earlier, Spanish duo Albert Montanes and Feliciano Lopez both advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament managed by Djokovic's family.
The fourth-seeded Montanes rallied to beat Michael Berrer of Germany 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Lopez defeated wild card Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-4, 7-6 (4). Montanes won seven straight games starting at 2-2 in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead in the decider before cruising to victory.
Lopez broke for a 2-1 lead in the second set with a forehand winner after chasing down a drop shot by Gonzalez. The Chilean, who was playing his first tournament since returning from an eight-month injury layoff because of hip surgery, broke back immediately but couldn't stop Lopez from converting his third match point in the tiebreaker.
Earlier, Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia also advanced by beating Ricardo Mello from Brazil 7-5, 6-3 during another wind-swept day of the Serbia Open. Kavcic is to play Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
"He beat me while we were 14-year-olds, and it's time for a revenge," Djokovic said.
In Portugal, Robin Soderling won his first match of the season on clay, beating Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in the second round at the Estoril Open.
Soderling faces a stern test in the quarterfinals where he will meet eighth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro, who beat him in straight sets in Miami.
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