Djokovic passes Griekspoor and signs the SFs in Geneva | ATP Tour

Djokovic passes Griekspoor and signs the SFs in Geneva

Ruud defeats Báez on the same day

May 23, 2024

Novak Djokovic got rid of Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 6-1 and qualified for the semifinals of the Gonet Geneva Open.

“Great win. I think the first set could have easily gone in his favor because he was the better player for most of the time,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “He had several set points. I was 0/40 at 4-5, so we could have had a completely different direction of the match if he converted those set points.”

The Serbian served at 4-5, 0/40 in the opening set, a game in which he avoided four set points. The top seed escaped with an ace or a strong first serve that resulted in a failed return from the Dutchman.

In the next game, it was the world No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings who took a 0/40 lead, finally breaking Griekspoor after two deuces. Djokovic then held serve to close out the first set. “I was lucky to find some good serves and from then on I played good, solid tennis,” Djokovic said. “It helped me a little with the mistakes, I think [la forma] the one I played in the second set was really good. So I want to thank everyone again for the support and presence today on a cold day. “It’s very nice to see you all.”

It was an easier second set for the Belgrade native, who broke early and maintained control to improve to 4-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Griekspoor. Djokovic saved all seven break points he faced and converted four of his nine chances according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Djokovic, who turned 37 on Wednesday, is the oldest semi-finalist in the tournament’s history. In his first appearance at the ATP 250 clay court, the 98-time circuit champion is aiming for his first trophy of the season. Djokovic, who has 14 wins and 5 losses this year, won his 1,100th match on tour on Wednesday by beating Yannick Hanfmann in the second round.

In the semifinals, Czech Tomas Machac awaits him, who eliminated #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen 6-3, 7-6(2).

Griekspoor, 27, returned to the court after finishing off Denis Shapovalov earlier in the day, mounting a comeback to defeat the wild card 6-7(7) 7-6(4) 6-3 and reach their second quarterfinal of the season (Rotterdam). The second-round match against Shapovalov was interrupted Wednesday night due to rain, with the Canadian leading 6-7(7), 3-3 0/15.

The other semi-final will be played by Casper Ruud and Flavio Cobolli, who have never faced each other before. The Dane has just defeated the Argentine Sebastián Báez 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, while the Italian defeated the Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.