"All matches were key matches for me" - Djokovic after reaching Serbia Open final

The World No. 1 fought back from a set down for the third consecutive match on Saturday to complete a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Karen Khachanov and reach the final at his hometown tournament for the third time.

Just like in his previous rounds against Laslo Djere and Miomir Kecmanovic, Djokovic made a slow start in the semi-final clash as Khachanov came out striking cleanly off both wings. Top-seeded Djokovic responded in style, arguably producing his best two sets of the week to storm back for a one-hour, 59-minute victory and extend his winning record in Serbia to 37-5.

He said:

“All three matches were key matches for me, to be honest. Again I started not that great, losing the first set. I was a break down today as I was in the first two matches of the tournament. I think as soon as the second set started I was just feeling the ball and started swinging through particularly the backhand which wasn’t working in the first set.”

He further said:

“I was serving well, dictating the play [in the] second and third sets, the best two sets of the season so far for me and against a really quality tennis player. Khachanov is playing well. So it’s an important win. Of course, any win is important for me at the moment. Playing at home with the unbelievable support from the crowd always gives me goosebumps and the motivation to play my best and fight until the end.”