Published 14:04 IST, October 4th 2019
Djokovic secures a win against Pouille, reaches the semi-finals
Novak Djokovic defeated the winner of the fifth seed, Lucas Pouille 6-1, 6-2 in 50 minutes to reach the semi-finals of Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championship.
Novak Djokovic defeated the fifth seed, Lucas Pouille 6-1, 6-2 on Friday in 50 minutes to reach the semi-finals. Novak, who is competing in Tokyo for the first time, is a top player in the ATP rankings with his performances so far in the Japan Open Tennis Championship. The world number one knocked out Pouille, in just 50 minutes in an excellent display of his skill set. Pouille, who could only win two of the first 14 points of the match, lost the opening set in just over 20 minutes.
Djokovic's return
Djokovic, the Serbian tennis player, was brutal on return against Pouille, winning 61% of his return points, including a massive 77% win-rate on second-serve returns. Pouille landed 64% of his first serves but was unable to achieve short balls or free points as the Djokovic consistently got himself back to neutral in rallies pretty quick. Djokovic, who was playing his first tournament since the pause in the US Open fourth round due to a shoulder injury was brilliant in his playing which left the crowd speechless. He scored a 4-0 lead in the second set which left his opponent with little room to get back up.
Semifinals of Japan Open
The 2019 Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships is being held at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan, from September 30 to October 6, 2019. Djokovic is now touted to play against third seed David Goffin or Hyeon Chung, champion of 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals. Djokovic has already won six out of seven FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings against Goffin. He has ousted Hyeon Chung at the 2016 Australian Open, further falling to Chung in Melbourne two years later.
Updated 16:17 IST, October 4th 2019