Djokovic Regains Focus to Reach Monte-Carlo Semis

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images

(April 20th, 2012) Watching Novak Djokovic play against Robin Haase in the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, the World No.1's game reminded me at times of the actual online video stream I was watching the match on. It was blurry for the most part but then would come into sharp focus at just the right moments.

Looking almost half-awake as if perhaps he hadn't slept much since learning of the death of his grandfather yesterday, Djokovic got off to a ragged start as he dropped serve to start the match. Djokovic broke Haase right back and when he hit a deep return to set up a winning drop shot to go ahead 3-1, it appeared Djokovic perhaps had sorted himself out.

But up 4-1, Djokovic played another choppy game where he failed to convert on four break points chances on Haase's serve and then continued his lackluster effort to give up his break advantage. More errors from Djokovic allowed Haase to pull even at 4-all, but Djokovic eventually found a way to save another break point against him with a crosscourt forehand winner. As if sensing he should close out things sooner rather than later, Djokovic broke Haase one more time with a flourish of volleys at net to win the set 6-4.

The second set got better for Djokovic although he still wasn't at his best. An overhead winner gave the Serb an early break and when Djokovic followed that up with another break of serve to eventually go up 4-1, it looked like the match would be over soon.

But after an exchange of breaks again that gave Djokovic a 5-1 lead, he missed a chance to end it on his first match point then was broken serving for it at 5-2. Djokovic rebounded by putting together several deep returns on Haase's next service game that eventually led to Djokovic closing out the match 6-4, 6-2 thanks to a Haase backhand error.

With 19 winners and 26 unforced errors on the day for Djokovic, it was clear that this match was all on his racquet. The most telling stat for Haase was his inability to do much with his second serve as the Dutchman only won 28% of his second serve points.

One can't blame Djokovic for having his mind and focus elsewhere as he continues to deal with his personal loss, but if he still hopes to remain in the tournament, he'll have to sharpen up his game when he takes on Tomas Berdych in tomorrow's semifinals.