Djokovic beats Soeda 6-3, 7-5; reaches quarter-finals of Japan Open

World  1 vak Djokovic on Wednesday defeated Japan's Go Soeda, 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 35 minutes to vance to quarter-finals of Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships. From 12 tournaments that Djokovic has played this season, he has reached last eight st in nine of m. However, Serbian faced a tough challenge from Soeda who was playing in front of his home crowd as he dismissed Djokovic's three match points in second set. Djokovic is w . 1 player in ATP Rankings for third-most total weeks in history. 

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"I'm really pleased," says vak Djokovic

Djokovic was determined to earn win but Soeda did t slump and showed plenty of resiliency. Djokovic broke for a 6-3, 5-3 le in second set which was dismissed by Soeda who broke back by attacking Serbian’s forehand. Soeda canceled out Djokovic's three match points in second set with a forehand volley, an unreturned serve, and an overhe smash, respectively.  32-year-old Serbian tennis star won 10 aces and 81 percent of his first-serve points. He also earned 61 percent of his second-serve points, as compared to Soeda who mand only 60%. Post match, Djokovic said that he played really well and was aggressive when required. He also credited Soeda for playing some good shots and fighting hard.

"re were t too many negatives today, because I h chances constantly. I h match points at 5-4, but he just came up with some very good shots and fought hard and that's why we give him credit. But from my side, I'm really pleased," he said while speaking to Association of Tennis Professionals. 

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Djokovic's next match 

world 1 will face winner of fifth seed Lucas Pouille next with whom he has a record of 2-0 with both wins coming this year in Australian Open and Cincinnati, respectively. Djokovic is all set to face Japanese . 2 Yoshihito Nishioka, whom he has never played before. 

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