Perfect tiebreak was turning point but I need to improve, says Novak Djokovic

PARIS – Novak Djokovic’s flawless second-set tiebreak proved vital in his victory over Karen Khachanov in their French Open quarter-final on Tuesday, but he knows he needs to improve if he is to book a spot in Sunday’s final.

The Serb, who will face world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the last four on Friday, said a bad start almost cost him the match. Yet he eventually prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7-0), 6-2, 6-4.

“It (tiebreak) was probably the turning point of the match,” said the 36-year-old, chasing a record-breaking 23rd men’s singles Grand Slam tennis title. He is currently tied on 22 with Rafael Nadal.

“Winning the second set or, you know, losing the second set would be quite a big difference.

“I must say I played a perfect tiebreak, seven-love. Every point was perfectly scripted for me.”

Djokovic had not dropped a set in his previous four rounds, but Khachanov had him on the ropes for almost two sets.

“Everything was going in a great direction and then I stepped out on the court today and probably part of me stayed in the locker room,” he added.

“That’s how I felt, that’s how I played, probably the worst two sets I played so far in the tournament.

“It’s not the first match that I managed to turn things around. These kind of wins, they serve as a great confidence booster mentally. It’s important to win a match where you were losing or you were down and then you came back.”

But he admitted he needs to up his game if he is to reach the final for a seventh time in Paris.

“I will analyse my game from today with my team, and be better prepared for the next one. Because I definitely need to have a better start in the semis,” Djokovic said.

Alcaraz meanwhile, described his demolition of Stefanos Tsitsipas as one of the best matches of his young career and said his level was only improving ahead of a meeting with Djokovic.

The 20-year-old Spaniard was in supreme form as he sealed a 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) win.

“Yeah, my level is getting better every time I’m winning. Today was such a great level. I played really well. I’d say one of the best matches of my career,” he said.

Alcaraz, who is chasing a second Slam title, knows exactly what it takes to get past Djokovic, having beaten him in three sets when they clashed for the first time in Madrid in 2022.

“Since the (Roland Garros) draw came out, everyone was expecting this match, the semi-final against Novak. Myself as well. I really want to play that match,” he said.

“Since last year, I really wanted to play again against him. We’re both playing at a great level and, as I said before, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. So I’m really looking forward.

“It’s amazing to make history, playing a semi-final with a legend like Novak. So it’s going to be a great match for me.” REUTERS, AFP