Djokovic Denies Dimitrov, Murray Dominates Pouille In Paris; Tsonga v Raonic Friday
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Novak Djokovic found himself a set down before coming back on the hot-handed Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 at the Paris Indoors. The 3-time defending has now won 17 straight matches at the event and he sets up a quarterfinal meeting Friday with Marin Cilic.
“I’m very grateful to have such a crowd and perform in front of them. I think they appreciated the battle between Grigor and I today,” said Djokovic. “I think we both gave what we could. I think it was a really, really nice match to be a part of.”
Djokovic needed treatment on a knee injury in the second set but bounced back nicely.
Cilic eased past David Goffin 6-3, 7-6(9) and in doing so secured a second berth in the ATP Finals which begins in London in about 10 days. On the other side, Goffin was eliminated from London.
“He loves these kinds of very quick courts. He won Cincinnati in very similar, even faster conditions,” said Djokovic of Cilic. “I know what I need to do, and hopefully I’ll be able to execute it well tomorrow.”
If Djokovic reaches the final, he’ll maintain the No. 1 ranking.
Tomas Berdych kept his London hopes alive cruising past home favorite Gilles Simon 6-4, 6-3. Simon was one of three Frenchmen to lose on the day after Jack Sock upset Richard Gasquet in three sets and Andy Murray mashed Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-0.
“I thought I returned well today. I had chances in almost all of his service games during the match,” said Murray. “Obviously that’s good when the surface is a bit quicker. I was getting a good hit on them and rushing him immediately.”
Murray, who is locked in a No. 1 battle this week with Djokovic, has now won his last 17 matches. Next will be Berdych.
John Isner advanced in three over qualifier Struff, he now takes on countryman Sock and in the final quarterfinal Friday it’s home favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga against Milos Raonic.
Tsonga had to save two match points to oust Kei Nishikori 0-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) and keep his slim London hopes alive.
“We are here to give our best, so that first set didn’t go well for me. I made double faults, things like that, but it was because I want to do well,” said Tsonga who was booed after the first set bagel. “But little by little, I was able to get settled. My confidence came back and I was able to play better.”
Nishikori held two match points in his 5-3 service game but was unable to close it out.
Meanwhile, Raonic coasted past Pablo Cuevas in straight sets.
FRIDAY PARIS SCHEDULE
COURT CENTRAL start 14:00
J. Isner (USA) vs J. Sock (USA)
[1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs [9] M. Cilic (CRO)
Not Before 19:30
[7] T. Berdych (CZE) vs [2] A. Murray (GBR)
Not Before 20:30
[11] J. Tsonga (FRA) vs [4] M. Raonic (CAN)
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