Another good win for Novak Djokovic that had to cope with a very dangerous Gael Monfils in the Shanghai quarters.
The match started with an exchange of 4 consecutive breaks in the first 4 games to then become a bit more… “normal” and go to the breaker. Interesting enough in the tiebreak Gael Monfils was the most solid player to win 4 consecutive points when he was 3-4 down and grab the first set.
That was the time for Nole to regroup. He found himself so many times in this kind of situations that he really knows how to cope. On top of it Gael was not at his best form a physical point of view. The former world no.1 broke the Frenchman twice in the 1st and 7th game to win the second set 6-2. In the decider there was no break till the 7th game when Nole broke again Gael to win the third 6-4.
Finally Nole scored 102 points vs. Monfils’ 87 and he won 80% points on his first serve (that was a huge boost). Match Stats.
Nole: I knew he couldn’t hold that level
Djokovic was full aware of the physical constraints that Gael is now facing to comment “He’s one of the best movers we have on tour but he’s not physically very fit
I knew after dropping the first set that he wouldn’t be able to hold that level so I just had to hang in there and stay tough and wait for my chances.”
Gael: against Novak, it’s impossible to win if not serving 100 percent
Gael is still struggling with an injury to his stomach muscles to comment “I get a bit scared with my abs. It was tough for me to serve full bore. For sure, against Novak, it’s impossible to win if not serving 100 percent.”
Next vs. Tsonga
Djokovic will play another Frenchman, Tsonga, in the semi-final. Head to head is 10-5 for Nole that has won the last 8 matches.
