By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday May 23, 2024
Novak Djokovic saved four set points and pushed past Tallon Griekspoor to reach the Geneva semis.
Photo Source: TTV
Novak Djokovic came to Geneva in search of form ahead of Roland Garros.
So far, so good for the World No.1.
Djokovic saved four set points in a critical tenth game of the opening set, and went on to win nine of the final games as he dismantled Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, 7-5, 6-1, to reach the semifinals at the Gonet Geneva Open on a chilly evening.
Djokovic will bid to reach his first final of the 2024 season on Friday when he faces Czech Tomas Machac in the semifinals.
"Great win. I thought that the first set could have gone his way easily because I think he was the better player for most of the first set," Djokovic said in his on-court interview. "He had three set points, I was facing 0-40 at 5-4, so we could have been having a completely different direction of the match if he converted those set points."
Meanwhile, in Paris, the men’s singles draw was held. Top-seeded Djokovic was drawn to face French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the opening round, and could face Norway’s Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, if the seeds hold.
Thursday’s victory, which featured clutch serving when the 37-year-old needed it most, was exactly what Djokovic needs ahead of his 20th Roland Garros appearance.
"I was lucky to find some really good serves and from that moment onwards really played some good, solid tennis," three-time RG champion Djokovic said.
Djokovic could end up facing Ruud in the final in Geneva on Saturday. The two-time Roland-Garros finalist from Norway is defeated Argentina's Sebastian Baez in the quarterfinals in Geneva.
Ruud will face Flavio Cobolli in the semis on Friday.