Novak Djokovic came back from one set down to beat Grigor Dimitrov 4-6 6-2 6-3 and set up a quarter final match against Marin Cilic at the BNP Paribas Masters 1000 tournament at the Accorhotel in Paris Bercy. With this victory Djokovic has extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive matches in Paris Bercy.
In what was a roller coaster match, Djokovic and Dimitrov traded early service holds in the first two games before three consecutive breaks of serve. Dimitrov went up a break in the third game to take a 2-1 lead before Djokovic broke straight back in the next game on his second opportunity to draw level to 2-2. Continuing the series of breaks, Dimitrov’s breakthrough occurred in the fifth game as he moved ahead 3-2 before clinching the first set with a backhand winner down the line.
Facing the prospect of a shock exit in the tournament, Djokovic rallied from 15-40 by winning three consecutive points to get the break in the second game of the second set for 2-0 and saved two break points with a backhand drive to hold his serve for 3-0. Finally the top seed appeared to have the match momentum back on his side until an injury scare occurred. Leading 3-1, an awkward turn sparked some minor pain in his knee, triggering a medical time-out. Fortunately for the Serbian it wasn’t a severe issue as he continue play with no issues regarding his movement, forcing a deciding set.
It was a case of deja vu in the decider with the world No.1 dismantling the Dimitrov serve in the early stages to open up a three-game lead. Despite the valiant efforts of the Bulgarian, it was not enough to spark as comeback as Djokovic clinched the match on his second match point.
“I was quite focused. I think I handled the emotions well. I am determined, that’s why I’m here.” Djokovic pleased w/ mental form during 3R pic.twitter.com/qRgJQCNU7f
— BNP PARIBAS MASTERS (@bnppmasters) 3 November 2016
Awaiting the defending champion in the quarterfinals will be former US Open champion Marin Cilic. Cilic, who won the Basel title last week, fired 11 aces to battle his way past David Goffin 6-3 7-6 in one hour and 55 minutes. The first set was marked by five breaks of serve (two for Cilic and three for Goffin). The breakthrough occurred when Cilic recovered from 30-40 in the eighth game to get the decisive break for 5-3 before serving out the set in the next game.
The second set was a complete contrast with the first six games going with serve before Goffin staged his own offensive by breaking Cilic. On the verge of a three-set match, Cilic recovered from a 3-5 deficit to force a tiebreaker. Struggling to crush the spirited play from his Belgian opponent, Cilic failed to convert five match points before clinching the match with an ace.
As a result of his latest win, Cilic has now qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals in London for only the second time in his career (after 2014).
“I was expecting it. That’s what I was playing for. I have been in the battle for London for a few hours. You can say I am getting experienced in that, so it’s something that is giving me a lot of confidence. It was the goal of the season for me to reach the ATP Finals in London. Obviously the top 8 is something that all the players in the world are wishing foe,” said Cilic.
Jack Sock overcame Richard Gasquet 6-2 3-6 7-5 in a thrilling third round match to secure his spot in the quarter finals. The American broke serve twice in the first and fifth games and dropped just two points on serve to cruise through to 6-2 in the opening set. Gasquet bounced back by getting the only break of the second set in the eighth game for 5-3 en route to winning it 6-3. With little to distinguish between the two players, it wasn’t until the business end of the match where Sock booked his place in the last eight. After squandering two match points whilst 5-4 up in the decider, Sock got the decisive break at 6-5 on his second chance at deuce to close out the match in two hours and two minutes.
Sock will face John Isner in an all-American quarter final. Isner fired 27 aces to overcome Jon Lennard Struff 6-4 6-7 6-3.
Finally, Milos Raonic fought back from one set down to beat Pablo Cuevas 4-6 6-1 6-2. Raonic will next play either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Kei Nishikori.
