By James Waterson
Photo Credit: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
(May 30, 2011) Novak Djokovic advanced to the semifinals of the French Open after Fabio Fognini, his opponent in the quarterfinals, withdrew because of a leg injury.
Djokovic’s match-up against Fognini was supposed to happen Tuesday, but the Italian said he was warned not to play.
"The doctors say if I play tomorrow maybe it can be dangerous," Fognini said. He hurt his leg during his more than four hour marathon victory against Albert Montanes on Sunday.
"(The match) was really incredible, it was really long. At the end I was not really good," Fognini said. "But I did some examinations after the match. I was crying after the match, also for the pain, but I think that's normal."
Fognini is the first Italian man to advance to the quarterfinals of the French Open since 1995, and this was his best performance at a Grand Slam in his career.
"I'm not really happy right now," Fognini said. "It's the best tournament of my career."
This is the fifth time this year, including two times at Roland Garros, that an opponent has either withdrawn or retired against the Serb.
It seems unusually frequent, considering that this has happened to Nadal twice and once to Federer.
Djokovic, who now has 41 consecutive victories in 2011, won’t receive any credit on his win streak from the walkover. Three of his wins have come from his opponent playing some of the match and then retiring, which does count in the streak.
To beat John McEnroe’s record start to the 1984 season of 42 consecutive wins, Djokovic will have to win the French Open.
With his pass to the semifinals, he is also just one match away from claiming the No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal. Even if Nadal wins the tournament, Djokovic will still become No. 1 if he makes it to the final.
He may have to get past Roger Federer, though. Federer is in Djokovic’s half of the draw, and may face him if he defeats Gael Monfils in the quarterfinals.
Yet he’s beaten Federer three times this year, including in the Australian Open semifinals.