Djokovic destroys qualifier A-Rod to play Federer

Written by: Global Chick on 4th November 2011

Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel

Djokovic destroys qualifier A-Rod to play Federer

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Poland's Lukasz Kubot during their round of sixteen match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 03 November 2011. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS |

Djokovic destroys qualifier A-Rod to play Federer

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic crushed Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot 6-1 6-2 in a match that lasted as long as Kim Kardashian’s marriage. The Serbian is now through to the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors in Basel and is facing Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis next.

The 2009 Basel Champion has after today got a 66-3 win/loss record. “It’s great to play well again. I felt good on the court and I’m happy to go through”, he said. The Serbian added, “It’s a great tournament, obviously very strong main draw that we have, a lot of top players coming out, this year five of the Top 8 were playing in the tournament.”

Japan’s rising star Kei Nishikori is having a great week in Basel. Yesterday he took out Andreas Seppi of Italy in straight sets 6-3 7-6 (4). The Japanese player said, “I would like to maintain my Top 30 ranking and eventually get into the Top 20. I am working hard on my serve and physical conditioning.”Nishikori will meet Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan who downed James Blake 6-3 6-4. Kukushkin is replaced Jurgen Melzer as a lucky loser this week.

Andy Roddick has set up a clash with hometown hero Roger Federer next. The American overcame Radek Stepanek in three sets to earn a spot in the Basel quarterfinals. Roddick is still hanging out for a spot for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. The number seven seed fought from a set down taking the match 2-6 6-3 6-3 after one hour and 40 minutes on court. “I was frustrated that I didn’t get more first serves in the court,” the World No. 16 said.

Swiss number two Stanislas Wawrinka is quietly making his way through the bottom half of the draw. Stan defeated Robin Haase on Thursday 4-6 6-1 6-2. Wawrinka is looking for his second title this year after winning the Chennai Open in January. His second round opponent will be Germany’s Florian Mayer. The man with the double handed shots on both sides ousted Ivan Ljubicic 6-3 6-1.

Last week’s St. Petersburg Open Champions Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins breezed into the second round in the doubles draw yesterday with a win over Swiss wildcards Stephane Bohli and Marco Chiundinelli 6-3 6-1. The British duo will now play 10.sballs.com’s supporter Xavier Malisse and partner Dick Norman in the second round.

Ivan Dodig and Viktor Troicki took out the number three seeds Christopher Kas and Alexander Peya 4-6 6-4 10-5 to reach the semi-finals.

SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 4 NOVEMBER, 2011  CENTER COURT start 14:00

[WC] K Nishikori (JPN) vs [LL] M Kukushkin (KAZ)

Not Before 16:00

[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs M Baghdatis (CYP)

Not Before 18:00

F Mayer (GER) vs S Wawrinka (SUI)

Not Before 20:00

[7] A Roddick (USA) vs [3] R Federer (SUI)

R Haase (NED) / F Mayer (GER) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN)

COURT 2 start 15:00

C Fleming (GBR) / R Hutchins (GBR) vs X Malisse (BEL) / D Norman (BEL)