Djokovic saves four set points, defeats Griekspoor in Geneva quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic once again needed only two sets to advance at the Gonet Geneva Open, but it was another match that was more difficult than the scoreline suggested.

After beating Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3 in his opening match of the week, Djokovic battled past Tallon Griekspoor 7-5, 6-1 in the quarter-finals at Tennis Club de Genève, Parc des Eaux-Vives on Thursday evening. The world No 1 prevailed after one hour and 17 minutes.

Djokovic staves off triple-set point

Despite the straight sets, it was not easy for Djokovic. In fact, Griekspoor had triple-set point — and four set points in total — to seize the opening frame of play. With Djokovic serving at 4-5, though, the Dutchman could not covert. The 37-year-old Serb, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, dug out of the 0-40 hole with impressive serving and also saved a fourth break point before finally holding for 5-5.

From there it was all Djokovic the rest of the way. Geneva’s top seed lost only one game thereafter, racing away to victory following the brief scare. It ended in unceremonious fashion, on a Griekspoor double-fault at 1-5, 0-40.

“Great win,” he said during his on-court interview. “I thought that the first set could have gone his way easily because I think he was the better player for most of the first set. He had three set points. I was facing 0-40 at 5-4 for him, so we could have been having a completely different direction of the match if he converted those set points.”

Against Hanfmann, Djokovic faced 11 break points — of which he saved 10.

It was still a productive week for Griekspoor. The world No 27 previously defeated American Christopher Eubanks (6-4, 1-6, 6-3) and Canadian wildcard Denis Shapovalov (6-7 (7), 7-6 (4), 6-3). Griekspoor’s match against Shapovalov concluded earlier on Thursday after rain postponed play on Wednesday evening.

Geneva ATP 250, other quarter-finals results:

• Sebastian Baez vs. Casper Ruud
• Alexander Shevchenko vs. Flavio Cobolli: thursday
• Tomas Machac beat Alex Michelsen: 6-3, 7-6 (2)