Google News Novak Djokovic reacts to thrashing Kei Nishikori at Tokyo Olympics
by | VIEW 423
Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is happy that his level of play is improving as the Tokyo Olympics progress. Djokovic, ranked at No. 1 in the world, delivered an outstanding performance on Thursday at the Tokyo Olympics, beating Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-0 to reach the semifinal.
Djokovic, 34, is now two wins away from finally winning his maiden gold medal. "Matches are not getting easier, but my level of tennis is getting better and better," said Djokovic, per the ITF website. "I've done that many, many times in my career: I know that I'm kind of player that the further the tournament goes, the better I'm feeling on the court.
That's the case here: my best performance of the tournament tonight against the very good opponent. "Kei, I know his game very well. Him playing in Japan, this court where he had lots of success, I knew that he's going to play very quick and he's not gonna give me a lot of time so I had to be very alert.
And I feel I had an answer for everything he had."
Djokovic dominated Nishikori
Djokovic started the match with an early 3-0 lead and claimed his second break of the set in the eighth game to win the opener. Djokovic performed even better in the second set, breaking Nishikori three times to book a comfortable straight-set win.
Djokovic will be fighting Germany's Alexander Zverev for a place in the Tokyo Olympics final. Meanwhile, Russia's Karen Khachanov beat Ugo Humbert 7-6 (4) 4-6 6-3. "Today was much better in terms of physical conditions," said the 25-year-old Olympic debutant.
"Obviously it’s still humid and still hot, but nothing compared to other days. That was a big plus, I think for everyone. "I felt well physically, I felt well mentally, I came here to fight for medals and I’m playing good tennis so far.
I’m happy that I’m managing to find solutions to the problems as they appear – this is tennis. I’m enjoying so far, and I want to keep going like that." Khachanov plays next Pablo Carreno Busta. "Obviously I’m really happy to first still have another match, another opportunity to keep fighting for the medals," Khachanov added.
"And I’m enjoying playing here at the Olympics for our country. It’s the first Olympics for me and for all the guys – Daniil [Medvedev], Andrey [Rublev] and Aslan [Karatsev]. We all came here, tried to prepare well."
