[ad_1]
Novak Djokovic is still at the French Open, but only after a prolonged fight in four sets on Wednesday night against Pablo Carreño Busta, the Spaniard who won at the US Open when the world No. 1 was disqualified for striking. to a line officer with a spare ball. It was not a joyous meeting.
A month after their shared drama in New York, Carreño Busta had notions of winning on his own merits after winning the first set of the second quarterfinal on Day 11, but Djokovic ignored the lingering pain in his left upper arm and neck while paving. together a victory by 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in 3 hours and 10 minutes under the lights of the Philippe Chatrier court. He has two days to recover before playing Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday, and will need every waking hour.
Djokovic was shy about his injuries later, saying only: “I had some neck and shoulder problems. I’m still in the tournament so I don’t want to reveal too much. I feel good. As the match progressed, I became warm and the pain faded. It allowed me to play better and feel better ”.
Carreño Busta questioned the severity of Djokovic’s injuries. “That’s normal, right? He always does [such gestures], “he said.” The last few years he’s always been doing this when he’s having problems on the court. I don’t know, maybe it’s the pressure or something he needs to do it. But he’s still playing normal, right? it hurts or has mental problems. [issues]. “
If the 2016 champion wants to win the title again he has to beat injury, a fit Tsitsipas and probably 12-time champion Rafael Nadal, who plays Diego Schwartzman in the other semi-final. It’s the kind of mountain Djokovic loves to climb, but the question remains: is he fit and strong enough to make it to the top?
Djokovic was cleared to play in Rome, where he beat Schwartzman in the final, and in Paris after testing positive for coronavirus on his exhibition tour of the Balkans in early summer, but a physical disaster was in sight in the first set. Sweating and anxious, he grimaced, tugged on his arm and bandaged his neck and tried to spice up his upper legs with his racket while his opponent waited for his chances.
The tournament physiotherapist massaged Djokovic’s arm during the break and the player told him: “Now he feels better.” However, he didn’t look remotely comfortable, even when he got his serve working and tied at one set each. The coach returned between the third and fourth games, and seemed to lift Djokovic’s spirits. Just when it seemed like he was falling into a state of confusion again, he bounced back to level at one level each.
He broke early in the third, overcame a problem when Carreño Busta snapped back 2-3, then hit hard again to make a set up. But it seemed far from commanding. Carreño Busta dug his heels into the clay at Roland Garros in the fourth and Djokovic had to fight for all points. Carreño Busta chose an unfortunate option to give him the break 3-4, Djokovic saved the break point to hold the two 5-3 and served to survive, his last blow was a crossed forehand.
While Djokovic remains undefeated in 36 completed matches this year, he is not as happy now as he was when he split into the first four matches of the tournament to lose just 25 games. This was an uneven and nervous performance, saved by the courage and class of a player that many observers regarded as a slight favorite before the tournament. On the eve of the semi-finals, this is anyone’s French Open.
