Djokovic on fire
RAMPANT: Thrashes Goffin and argues with umpire
LONDON: Novak Djokovic says changing the format of the Davis Cup is a “no brainer” and has repeated his plea to the International Tennis Federation to make structural changes to the team event.
“This format is not working for the top players... because it’s just completely at the wrong time in the schedule,” World No 2 Djokovic told reporters at the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday.
“If you go back ... five, six years, you see the amount of the top players that played at the later stages of the Davis Cup (has gone down), you see that it lost value.”
Currently the Davis Cup is run throughout the year with the World Group first round immediately after nervous tension.
There was more at stake later, when Raonic, who did not face a single break point, became the first Canadian to reach the last four when he downed Thiem in straight sets.
There were no breaks in the opening set but Raonic stole his opponent’s serve in the first game of the second and did not look back, ending the contest on his second match point when Thiem netted a backhand.
Belgium World No 11 Goffin had been hanging around all week in case of a withdrawal. He tried his best to make a match of it but looked off the pace from the moment he double-faulted to give Djokovic his first break in the fourth game.
“Yesterday I was feeling a bit like I was on holiday,” Goffin, who would have received a cool US$100,000 even if he had not been required for action, told reporters.
“All of a sudden someone tells you you have to play in front of 15,000 people against Novak.”
It was poor value for the O2 Arena crowd who probably expected something more competitive — not that Djokovic was too concerned.
He was able to conserve energy for what could yet be a showdown tomorrow with Andy Murray, the man who ended his 122-week reign as world number one last week.
After losing a colossal points lead over the Briton since beating him to win the French Open, Djokovic is now two wins away from grabbing it back.
He bridled at suggestions that it would be a surprise if he did achieve that by claiming a fifth successive London title.
“I guess I do not have the same perception of surprise as you do,” the 29year-old said when asked the question. “To me it wouldn’t be a
surprise.”
Djokovic also shed light on his row with Murphy which was drowned out by blaring music in the arena.
“I accept that I’m one of the players that takes the most time,” he said. “But I think it’s fair, correct and respectful towards a player that if you go over the first time, you at least get a head’s up.
“That’s all I’m asking for to be honest.”
With wins already against Thiem, Raonic and Goffin, Djokovic has now won 21 of his last 22 matches at the tournament.
Who he faces in the semi-finals is still to be decided.
Murray is favourite to win the John McEnroe group and so avoid Djokovic but should he have lost to Stan Wawrinka late yesterday, he could finish runner-up. Kei Nishikori is also a possibility.
“As a player all you can wish for is that everything is in your hands,”
said Djokovic.
returns a shot to Belgium’s David
in the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Thursday.