NEW YORK: Janko Tipsarevic isn't planning to let his first Grand Slam quarter-final, and the first between two Serbian men, turn into a victory parade for Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic may be the world number one, with 61 match victories and two major titles to his credit this season, but Tipsarevic will be all business when he takes on his friend in the quarter-finals of the US Open.
"I know that I need to play aggressive and good in order to win," Tipsarevic said.
"If I feel unbelievable and excited and just feel overwhelmed because for the first time I'm in the quarters and I'm going out there to do my best, that's not going to happen."
Tipsarevic said this week that he had taken a page from Djokovic's book and dedicated himself to his sport this season, setting a goal to end the year in the top 20.
So far he's right on target, and he said sticking to that plan remains his focus.
He's as amazed by anyone by the year that Djokovic has put together, but is determined not to let admiration get in the way of his game.
The fact that Djokovic is a friend and Davis Cup teammate, and they know each other's games inside out, won't make much difference to the outcome, Tipsarevic said.
"Who plays better tennis is going to win," he said. "It's as simple as that."
No one has played better tennis than Djokovic this season. But he, too, said it would take extra professionalism to put friendship aside and focus on reaching the semi-finals.
Courtesy: TimesOfIndia
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