Defending Champion Djokovic Cruises Past Gasquet to Wimbledon Finals
World number one and top-seeded Serb Novak Djokovic made his way into the Wimbledon finals on Friday. The defending champion downed 21st-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 in the day’s first match to return to the final for the fourth time in his career.
Djokovic broke in the second game of the opening set, but saw his break advantage disappear when Gasquet answered immediately with a break of his own. The rest of the set would go on serve and into a tiebreak.
The Serb pulled away in the tie-breaker, winning the final four points to take it 7-2 and capture the first set.
Djokovic opened the second set by breaking serve in the first game, and that was all he needed, serving out the rest of the set for a commanding two-sets-to love advantage.
Another break point at 1-1 in the third set gave Djokovic the break advantage he needed. Gasquet saved a couple of match points on serve down 3-5, but Djokovic closed the door in the next game for the routine straight-set victory.
“Richard had a great tournament, deserved to be in the semis,” said Djokovic. “Things could have gone his way, also, the first set, but I think that was the turning point for me. I’m definitely living the dream, being here in Wimbledon, playing in the most renowned tennis court in the world. I try to take the best out of myself and I have a responsibility to play well and just glad to reach another final.”
Djokovic saw an array of one-handed backhands from Gasquet, something that gave him trouble in the French Open final last month, but was able to withstand them for the most part. He hit 46 winners to just 22 unforced errors, and the difference in the match came from the break points, as Djokovic converted three while Gasquet only managed one.
Djokovic will take on the winner of second-seed Roger Federer and third-seed Andy Murray.
