Novak Djokovic recorded a 6-3, 6-1 victory in opposition to world no. 34 Botic Van De Zandschulp on Thursday to advance into the final eight on the ATP 500 occasion in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The Belgrade native wanted simply 71 minutes to say the win in his maiden ATP H2H assembly in opposition to the Dutch, putting the ball simply as cleanly as he had in his spectacular first-round elimination of Cristian Garin.
Novak capitalised on 4 of his 5 probabilities. He broke as soon as within the first set, and 3 times within the second, to seal the victory.
“My serve labored very properly after I wanted to get out of the difficulty, within the first set notably,” mentioned Djokovic. “There have been some 30/30 video games, and after I broke his serve for 4-2, I confronted a break level and I got here in, and he missed that passing shot. The match was determined in these moments. Between 5-2 or 4-3 up there’s a large distinction, and I served properly to finish the primary set. Within the second set I began to learn his serve higher and simply began swinging by way of the courtroom extra. Botic is a high quality tennis participant. I’m more than happy with the way in which I performed.”
Match statistics: aces (5-2), double faults (0-3), winners (23-14), unforced errors (10-17), whole factors received (57-35).
Novak will face Karen Khachanov (6-1 H2H document) within the quarter-finals on Friday at 14.00 CET. The Russian upset ninth seed Marin Cilic (CRO) in three units 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Djokovic is trying to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the fifteenth time. Due to his Wimbledon triumph this yr, the Serb solely wants to complete within the High 20 of the Race To Turin as a way to qualify for the season-ending showdown, the place he’s a five-time champion. He’s presently ranked 14th within the Pepperstone ATP Stay Race To Turin.
Photograph: Reuters