Djokovic is in the quarterfinals after a tough fight and (briefly) loses his temper



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Novak Djokovic: Laborious victory instead of a quick gala.

Image: Getty

Novak Djokovic is in the bottom four at the arena tournament in Rome. In his game against Dominik Koepfer he has to make a judgment. Frustrated, he breaks a bat. The fact that the referee calls him “Federer” does not improve things.

At the ATP tournament in Rome, Koepfer played himself in the foreground. On his way to the quarterfinals, the German defeated, among others, French number five, Gael Monfils.

Against the world number one it was the end of the line for number 97. But the 26-year-old showed another strong performance against the Serbs on Saturday and challenged him 2:10 hours. In the end it was 3: 6, 6: 4 and 3: 6 from the German point of view.

Djokovic’s frustration at losing a set ran deep. Then, furious, he broke his bat on the field. “That is certainly not the best message, especially for young tennis players watching me,” he later admitted. “I don’t want that, but it happens sometimes. Of course I am not perfect, but I do my best. “

After all, like in New York, a viewer didn’t have to believe it. At the US Open, he threw a ball and (inadvertently) hit a linesman on the neck. Then the tournament management disqualified him, the 17th Grand Slam win was over.

But the 33-year-old is also not having an affair with referees in Italy. In the decision ruling, the referee tells Federer of all the people in place of Djokovic after winning the game. His joy at the linguistic dropout was limited.

The Serbian will now face Norwegian Casper Ruud in the semi-finals. Number 34 in the world. defeated local hero Matteo Berrettini 4: 6, 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 5). In the Masters final, Djokovic was able to see rival Rafael Nadal again. The second in the world ranking has to face Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals.




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