News24
19 Sep 2020, 23:41 GMT+10
Top men's seed Novak Djokovic dropped a set before fighting off German qualifier Dominik Koepfer to reach the semi-finals of the Italian Open on Saturday.
The world number one needed more than two hours to see off the 97th-ranked German 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the final warm-up tournament on clay before the French Open.
Two weeks after his US Open default for accidentally hitting a line judge with the ball, the Serb again showed signs of frustration, throwing his racket after a lost service game, with shouts of anger resounding in the silence of the empty Central Court of Foro Italico.
Djokovic was broken four times before advancing to his 11th semi-final in Rome, where he reached the final nine times and won four titles.
"Credit to (Dominik) for fighting back, but I have myself to blame for putting myself in a position to play a third set," said Djokovic.
"I was a set and a break up and everything was looking great. I just wasn't managing to make that final shot, that final step to win in straights."
The 33-year-old next plays Norway's Casper Ruud who earlier battled past Italian fourth seed Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
"Clay is definitely Casper's preferred surface," said Djokovic.
"This is where he feels most comfortable. It's semi-finals and it is anybody's game. I'll do some homework and be ready for that one."
Djokovic is bidding for a record 36th Masters crown in the Italian Open, being currently tied on 35 with Spain's Rafael Nadal, the number two seed in Rome.
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