PROVES HIS CLASS AND RESILIENCE
WORLD NO 1 SAVES THREE MATCH POINTS AGAINST MONFILS TO SET UP FINAL AGAINST TSITSIPAS TODAY
Novak Djokovic had a point to prove. Nearly down and out before a packed stadium, the world No 1 saved three match points to script an entertaining 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-1 win over Frenchman Gael Monfils and enter the final of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, last night.
A former four-time champion here, Djokovic will meet last year’s runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final today.
Earlier, Tsitsipas booked a place in his second final in as many years with a fluent 6-2, 6-3 win over Britain’s Daniel Evans. Losing finalist last year as Roger Federer picked up his eighth title in Dubai and a 100th singles career crown, the 21-year-old Tsitsipas was never too bothered by his 29-year-old opponent in their first career meeting that lasted 80 minutes.
“My service games were close to excellent. I was just playing with a clear head and not thinking of too much, staying in the moment, trying to process of what potentially he’s going to use on the court,” he said.
Later, making his ninth
semi-final appearance on his eleven visits to Dubai, the 32-year-old Djokovic improved his unbeaten record to 17-0 this season, while extending his match-winning streak to 20.
Heartbreak for Monfils
The semi-final played out in two parts: A stronger showing from Monfils in the first set and a major part of the second set during which Djokovic was seen scurrying around to keep himself in the match.
The fitter Monfils displayed
his superior court movement while nudging clear with a break in the third for 2-1, and held for a 3-1 lead.
The Frenchman came up with a second break in the seventh as Djokovic attempted a dainty lob at the net to lead 5-2 and ultimately serve out the set 6-2 in 45 minutes.
Monfils was once again the dominant one in the third while breaking Djokovic on love to be 2-1. After holding for a 3-1 cushion, Monfils was stunned by some clever court play as Djokovic broke back and held to sneak ahead 4-3 and then 6-6 to force the tie-breaker.
The gangly French player was 6-3 up when Djokovic once again proved his resilience to make it 6-6 and then win the tie-breaker 10-8.
The decider was a formality as Monfils didn’t even pretend to attempt extending his career-best winning streak of 12 matches he had racked up following victory over close friend Richard Gasquet on Thursday.
Talking about his victory, Djokovic said: “When facing match point in a big match, it’s like being on the edge of a cliff. You know there is no way back so you have to jump over and try to find a way to survive.
“Some concrete things that I do at that moment is just stay present and not allowing my thoughts to kind of go around too much, focusing on breathing, just executing the next shot the right way, positioning myself well on the court.
“I don’t know if I gave you a great analogy. That’s kind of one of the feelings that you have. It’s all or nothing. It’s a matter of life or death at that point,” he added.
My service games were close to excellent. I was just playing with a clear head, trying to process of what potentially he’s going to use on court.” Stefanos Tsitsipas » World No 6