Sunday, 23 January 2011

Novak Djokovic v Nicolas Almagro - Match reports

Novak Djokovic made light work of 14th seed Nicolas Almagro to book his quarter-final spot at the Australian Open.

The world number three, champion in Melbourne three years ago, was relentless throughout the 106-minute contest, dishing up 31 winners.

After the Spaniard was broken early in the third set, Djokovic raised his game and served out for a 6-3 6-4 6-0 win.

Serbia's 23-year-old will next face sixth seed Tomas Berdych or Fernando Verdasco, who play later on Sunday.

It was another devastating display from Djokovic who has now reached the last eight at 13 of the last 15 Grand Slam events he has competed in.

However, with the 2008 champion losing at the quarter-final stage in the last two years at Melbourne Park, Djokovic has looked determined to make his mark this year and produced an emphatic display against the Spaniard on Sunday.

Djokovic said: "That was a higher standard than my previous matches and it's a big positive for me heading into the quarter-finals."

Djokovic, who reached the quarter-finals in all four Grand Slams last year, settled early after breaking at 2-1, before easing to take the opening set in 31 minutes.

Desperate to progress beyond the fourth round in this tournament for the first time, Almagro rarely showed the weapons he was able to hit back as he was decimated by an opponent dictating from the baseline and serving up 12 aces.

He was broken again in the fourth game of the second set and soon had to watch Djokovic dish up a pair of aces to open up a two-set advantage.

The demolition continued and after another break immediately at the start of the third set, the Serb raced away to secure his spot in the last eight.

Sportal report

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