Novak Djokovic sees off Tomas Berdych to reach Wimbledon semis

 
Getty
3 July 2013

Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semi-finals with a straight sets win over Tomas Berdych.

The top seed, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, triumphed 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Court One. He will play Juan Martin Del Potro in the last four and is still on course to play Andy Murray in the final.

Djokovic wasted four break points in the first set and was broken twice in the second, but he ultimately came through to record a deserved 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 6-3 win against the seventh seed.

Djokovic admitted afterwards that he thought he could have lost the match.

The 2011 champion told the BBC: "It was a strong start for me today.

"I had a few break points, a few chances to break in the first set, but I didn't manage to do that and the tie break was decided by one mistake with a forehand at 6-5.

"It was a very close match, it could have gone either way. He could have won the first two sets, he had a double break in the second.

"I don't know how I managed to go ahead, I don't know how I turned it around. I am really happy with the performance. I am playing some of the best tennis on grass of my career."

Djokovic was glad to see fellow Serb and Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic in the crowd, along with former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, who had also come to watch.

"It really means a lot to see Nemanja with Andriy here," Djokovic said.

"I have only met (Vidic) once before briefly, but we are glad that he accepted the invitation to come."

Berdych was incapable of starting the third set as he did the second.

The Croatian took little time to crumble, double-faulting in the third game to offer Djokovic a break point. Djokovic had nothing to do to go ahead as Berdych double-faulted again and the former champion moved 3-1 up.

The Serb was now in full flow, pulling his best shots out of the locker, and victory seemed inevitable.

Djokovic earned three match points in the ninth game and he achieved victory when his opponent put a return into the net, bringing Vidic and the rest of the Court One crowd to their feet.

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