ONLY. NOVAK. DJOKOVIC. 😳 @DjokerNole recovers from 0-4 in the second AND saves 3 set points to seal an Olympics semi-final spot! #Paris2024 #Olympics #Tennis
Heroic Day for Djokovic: Overcomes injury and Advances to semifinals at the expense of Tsitsipas
ATPThursday, 01 August 2024 at 21:21
Novak Djokovic (No. 2) defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 11) by 6-3, 7-6 and advanced to the semifinals of Paris 2024. The Serbian reaches the semifinals of the Olympics for the fourth time in his career and will seek to reach the final for the first time. To do so, he will have to first overcome Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had a heroic performance, recovering from a 0-4 deficit in the second set and pushing through despite evident problems with his right leg. Djokovic suffered a slip that physically complicated him during the second part of the match, but he managed to secure a victory that allows him to keep dreaming of the gold medal.
Djokovic battles past Tsitsipas
The first set started calmly for Djokovic, who quickly put pressure on Tsitsipas's serve and began to complicate him with his great prowess from the baseline and constant trouble with dropshots. Djokovic got the first break and took the lead after just over 10 minutes.
The Serbian had no trouble with his serve and did not face any break points, while he capitalized on the only opportunity that Tsitsipas conceded. After 44 minutes, Djokovic comfortably won the set 6-3.
At the beginning of the second set, Tsitsipas committed some unforced errors and struggled to keep the ball in play for more than a few strokes but managed to save his first service game. Djokovic suffered a slip when he had a break point against him, and Tsitsipas started the second set with a 2-0 lead.
‘Nole’ had two break points in the next game but began to show difficulties with his right leg after the fall, the same leg that has been causing him problems in recent months. After the game, he requested a medical time-out while visibly in pain.
Djokovic requested a medical time-out in the second set.
Upon returning to the court, Djokovic did not show the same level as before, struggling with his mobility and still visibly in pain when putting weight on his right leg. A second break allowed Tsitsipas to take a 4-0 lead. Despite the 24-time Grand Slam champion's issues, he managed to secure a break, especially after Tsitsipas seemed distracted by Nole's discomfort, committing several unforced errors.
The Greek player lost a service game and was up 5-2, later having three set points when serving at 5-3. However, Djokovic made a comeback, starting to hit several winners and eventually recovering the second break to even the score at 5-5.
The set was decided in a tie-break, where Tsitsipas initially led 2-0 after a mini-break, but Djokovic displayed his best tennis to avoid a longer match amidst his physical problems. Heroically, Nole turned the score around and ultimately won the match 6-3, 7-6.
With this, the men's semifinals are set, featuring three of the last four Wimbledon semifinalists from a few weeks ago, although this time on the clay of Roland Garros. Djokovic will face an inspired Musetti again, as he did at the French Open and Wimbledon. The Italian has a record of 19-4 since his defeat at Roland Garros and has reached at least the semifinals in his last four tournaments. On the other side, Felix-Auger Aliassime will challenge Carlos Alcaraz in search of the second finalist.
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