The Serb qualified without shining for a new semi-final in Paris.
Novak Djokovic has, in pain, stamped his ticket for a 12e semi-final at Roland-Garros (a 45e semi-final in Grand Slam) after having dominated, without shining Karen Khachanov. The match fell into the tie-break of 2e set, won 7-0 by the Serb (the 5e decisive game, out of 5, won by Djokovic in Paris this year). Relieved of the outcome, Novak Djokovic, in a press conference, summarized: “ Losing the second set would have made a really big difference. It was almost two games in one game. The first two are the worst I’ve played so far in this tournament. And then, then, the third set, the fourth set was pretty good. And so, I managed to hold my nerves during the tie-break of the second set, it was incredible by the way. Every point counted, and I played perfectly. So that gave me confidence, and then I got more into the balls. I felt more comfortable on the court.Insisting on the tie-break, Novak Djokovic underlined:I played a very good tie-break. Every point was already set in stone for me. It was written in advance. And sometimes it works. I’m lucky by the way, because throughout my career, I had very good results in tie-breaks (65% wins). My adversaries know it. I know that too. Mentally, I think it works in my favor. Every time I come to a tie-break moment, maybe I have this mental advantage over them, I try to use it.»
Projecting himself, he confided: “Now I have two days to rest, which is very good to recover and regain all the physical energy that I can find, and then give 100% on Friday.He will face the winner of the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.