Novak Djokovic made another easy win in Dubai, this time in Round 2 against Fabrice Santoro with 2:0 in sets 6:3 7:6 in the match that lasted 1 hours and 38 minutes. In 1st set, Novak made a break at 2:1 in games, kept his service games where he won 94% of points on first serve and eventually won the set 6:3.
Fabrice, a Frenchman born in Tahiti who started playing professional tennis when Novak was 2 years old, played much better in 2nd set and had 4 break opportunities, managing only 1 of them to use for 3:1 lead. Novak followed with winning a break and the set was tied to 6:6 in games.
Novak is known as a 'tie-break specialist' and he gave little change to Fabrice, World #47, Novak won the tie break 7:3 and commented after the match: 'I started the match good as I was highly motivated for revenge for last year's loss in Paris. I maximally ready, physically and psychologilly.'
Novak added that the key to victory was in patient and calm game: 'Fabrice doesn't have one extraordinary quality shot, still, he play constantly and makes little mistakes. It was most important for me to stay calm and patient'.
He thanked the Serbian supporters for giving him support through the match and expressed the hope that they will follow him in next days as well. Novak will now play against Russian Igor Andreev who won in the match against Richard Gasquet in two sets 6:3 6:4.
Match is on schedule on Thursday. Looking back to today results, Rafael Nadal progressed with a 2:0 win over Mikhail Ledovski, as well Nikolay Davidenko against Jan Hernich, Andy Murray won against Fernando Verdasco 2:1 in sets. Quarter-Final matches Djokovic - Andreev, Ferrer-Loez, Murray-Davydenko, Nadal-Roddick.
