By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Novak Djokovic rallied from a break down in the second set, beating Stephane Robert, 7-5, 7-5, to score his 11th straight win in Rome.
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open
The churning noise of a helicopter hovering overhead and the jarring sight of his opponent smacking another drive down the line left Novak Djokovic shaking his head with a wry smile midway through the second set.
Transitioning from the high-bouncing altitude of Madrid's Magic Box to the slippier red clay of Rome's Foro Italico was a tricky test for the world No. 1.
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Distractions escalated as veteran French qualifier Stephane Robert built a 4-2 second-set lead.
The two-time reigning Rome champion had finally seen enough.
Djokovic managed the stress and the 35-year-old Frenchman calmly repelling Robert, 7-5, 7-5, to score his 11th straight Rome victory.
Fresh off his record 29th Masters crown in Madrid on Sunday, Djokovic took some time adjusting to the court and clutched at his lower back in apparent stiffness early on in the match. But he shook it all off producing his best tennis of the day down the stretch, winning five of the final six games.
Djokovic said he resists the urge to look ahead to Paris and is completely focused on Rome.
"Once I step on the court, I don't know how to pace myself," Djokovic said of his. "If I'm on the court and I'm there to get the job done, to try to win, and if I'm not participating in the tournament, then that's different, but I'm here already. So I think it would be disrespectful to the tournament and to all the people that come to watch you that, you know, you're thinking of some other tournament that's ahead of you. So that's not in my mind."
Credit the 103rd-ranked Robert for taking his cracks down the line and attacking net when he could. Ultimately, Djokovic restored order breaking serve in the final game of each set.
Djokovic hit 16 winners against 14 errors elevating his record to 34-2 this season in front of an appreciative crowd that included his parents.
The four-time champion, who dodged a break point in the third game, curled a forehand swing volley to cap a love hold for 4-3.
Returning aggressively, Djokovic earned triple set point in the 12th game. He broke at 15 when Robert put a backhand into net.
Wrapping up the first set in 43 minutes, Djokovic plopped into his court-side seat and immediately wrapped a white towel around his shoulders.
Attacking net for high forehand volleys twice in a row, Robert ripped a forehand return winner down the line for a break point in the third game. He got a second serve to work with, but framed a forehand return well long.
A backhand down the line gave the Frenchman a second break point. Stretching Djokovic into his backhand corner, Robert stepped in and slammed a backhand winner down the line breaking for the first time for a 2-1 second-set lead.
Cranking a crosscourt forehand helped Robert work through a hold to consolidate for 3-1.
Djokovic turned it up considerably powering through a quick hold then breaking back for 4-all with a primal scream when Robert netted a forehand.
While he showed some signs of dissatisfaction with his performance—shaking his head and barking at himself a couple of times—Djokovic served with more authority as the match progressed.
Banging an ace out wide to stamp his second straight love hold, the top seed held for 6-5.
Two errant backhands from Robert ended it as Djokovic unleashed a winning roar. He walked back to the center of the court and put his hands over his chest, spinning around as if pouring out his heart to the Rome fans.
Djokovic had his hands full afterward too signing autographs and taking selfies with fans. He signed one fan's arm and autographed one of his match shirts before tossing it into the crowd.
Signing the court-side camera wrapping a heart around "Ti Amo Roma", Djokovic will now try to extend his winning streak and love affair for the Eternal City. He has reached at least the quarterfinals in all nine of his prior appearances here and will face Thomaz Bellucci for a quarterfinal spot next.
A year ago, Djokovic rallied for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 victory over the Brazilian in the Rome round of 16.