By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Novak Djokovic eased past Kei Nishikori in straight sets to set up a semifinal with Roger Federer in Melbourne.
Kei Nishikori was hoping to recreate the magic that took him past Novak Djokovic in the 2014 U.S. Open semifinals, but he never found his footing against the world No. 1 and fell meekly, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, on Tuesday night in Melbourne.
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Djokovic, who benefitted from 54 unforced errors and a general lack of commitment in the rallies from Nishikori, never really had to dial in his best tennis. Instead he took what was given to him, making the most of his break point opportunities and managing the score for much of the night.
“He’s not afraid come out and play aggressive tennis, which he did in the opening few games,” said Djokovic. “I just needed to weather the storm. I tried to hang in there and wait for my opportunities and I thought I did well in the important moments.”
Djokovic finished with 22 winners against 27 unforced errors and he converted 6 of his 11 break point opportunities. He broke in the sixth game of the first set and did not allow Nishikori a look at a break point.
Rather than try to test Djokovic’s patience, Nishikori elected to strike early and often in the rallies, and the strategy paid very few dividends because Nishikori simply did not have his aggressive game clicking.
Nishikori was beaten badly on both sides of the second serve, as he only won 40 percent of his own second offerings, while Djokovic was able to win an impressive 66 percent of his second-serve points. Still, Nishikori had opportunities in the second set but he missed out on all five of his break point opportunities and fell a double-break behind.
In the third set, after a medical timeout off-court, Nishikori went up a quick break. But it quickly dissipated as Djokovic, hungry to close without any complications, amped up his game to match Nishikori’s surge.
The Serb closed on his third match point, finishing proceedings in two hours and six minutes to set up a semifinal with Roger Federer. Djokovic and Federer are tied in their all-time head-to-head at 22 matches apiece.
“His achievements, what he has done for the sport—he’s a great champion and someone I have a lot of respect for,” Djokovic said of Federer. “We’re gonna have a good match. I’m sure.”