By Chris Oddo | Sunday, January 24, 2016
Novak Djokovic was pushed to the brink on Day 7 by Gilles Simon, but the Serb came through in five grueling sets.
Photo Source: Corleve
Novak Djokovic won for the tenth consecutive time against France’s Gilles Simon on Sunday at the Australian Open, but this time the world No. 1 took the scenic route to victory.
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After an uncharacteristically erratic performance that featured 100 unforced errors and a total of 43 break opportunities, the Serb emerged with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory to book his spot in his 27th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal.
That number was good enough to tie Djokovic with Jimmy Connors for second on the all-time list. Roger Federer holds the record with 36.
"Actually, it gives me great joy to know that I can't get worse than that, than what I played today. It doesn't concern me for the next one," a relieved Djokvovic told reporters after the match.
Djokovic’s job could have been made a lot easier on this day, but he failed on all eleven break points he faced in a frustrating second set that was eventually won by Simon in a one-sided tiebreaker.
Djokovic would convert just six of 25 break opportunities overall. He saved 14 of 18 break points and struck 62 winners to go with his 100 unforced errors.
Simon finished with 38 winners and 62 unforced.
All credit to Simon, who kept in touch in this match with remarkably consistent baseline play, lots of clutch serving, and some impressive shotmaking to boot. Surely, much of the post-match discussion will revolve around Djokovic’s lack of clarity and his inability to convert his numerous opportunities, but Simon made Djokovic’s task difficult on every turn on Sunday in Melbourne.
He snapped Djokovic’s 26-set winning streak, and nearly did the unthinkable. Despite the disappointment of the loss, Simon admitted that he took pride in his effort. “I think one of my strengths is I don't fear them really,” he said of his ability to play tough against the likes of Djokovic and Federer. “Like I just see them as humans and tennis players. They are fantastic. They can play an amazing tennis, but they still have some weaknesses on the court. I just try to use it. That's it. I try to keep it simple.”
Djokovic would rush out to a 3-0 lead in the third set but Simon battled back to level, putting the pressure back on Djokovic, who responded with another break to seal it and take a two sets to one lead.
But Simon pushed back again, taking the 60-minute fourth set by saving the only break point he faced.
But in the fifth Djokovic rose to the challenge as he has done so often in recent years. He went ahead by a double-break and despite giving one of those breaks back, clinched the hard-fought victory to improve his career record in five-setters to 26-8.
Afterwards, Simon lamented his fate, but gave praise to Djokovic’s ability to reclaim his game in the final set. “[He] was playing better,” Simon said. ”He took more risk and the balls were staying in. From 2-1, 40-Love, I think he plays only good shot till 5-1. A lot of lines also. Very aggressive. So not much to say.”
Djokovic moves on to face Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals. The Serb owns a 5-2 lifetime edge over Nishikori, which includes victories in the last four matches.