By Chris Oddo | Thursday, January 7, 2016

 

Novak Djokovic found himself down a break in both sets but managed to get through in straights over Leonardo Mayer in Doha.

Photo Source: Qatar Tennis

Novak Djokovic found himself down a break in both sets on Thursday against Leonardo Mayer but managed to wiggle out of trouble each time to secure a 6-3, 7-5 victory and book his place in the Qatar Exxon Mobil Open semifinals.

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“It was a tough match, obviously the toughest so far for me this week,” said Djokovic. “I was on the verge of losing the second set and I was fortunate to get back in that one. Just very pleased to get through.”

Djokovic, who finished with 17 winners and 17 unforced errors, fell behind 2-0 in the opening set but rallied for three consecutive breaks to take it, 6-3.

In the second set, the 28-year-old Argentine, ranked 35, found himself on the cusp of forcing a decider when his game suddenly went awry.

Mayer botched an easy overhead then committed two more unforced errors to hand Djokovic the break while he served for the set at 5-4. Djokovic then held for 6-5 and broke once again the seal his third victory of 2016 in one hour and 33 minutes.

“He had two easy smashes and he missed them,” said Djokovic. “Obviously that was the turning point of the second set. If he made them he could have won the second set and the match is open.”

Djokovic will face either Tomas Berdych or Kyle Edmund in the semifinal.

The other semifinal in Doha will feature Rafael Nadal vs. Ilya Marchenko.