Djokovic pleased to survive strong Rublev test to seal semi-final spot in Turin: "I managed to find the right attitude and the right game"

Novak Djokovic was glad to overcome Rublev much easier than anybody including him anticipated beating him in two sets.

Djokovic waited patiently for his chance in the opening set to take it 6-4 and then smashed a very erratic Rublev 6-1 in the second set. It was much easier than he thought it would be and speaking after the match he said:

“I played very, very well. One of the best matches of the year without a doubt. He is a tough opponent. A great competitor. He possesses a lot of strengths in his game. I managed to find the right attitude and the right game."

He also touched upon staying patient knowing that chances would come if he sticks with it:

“In the 10th game of the first set, I think he was 40/30 and we played a long rally and I just stayed in there and told myself chances will come. He went down in his energy a little in the second [set] and I wanted to use the momentum and energy from my side in the first few games and it was a flawless second set.”