Djokovic Shows Signs of Returning to Best in Rome

It’s quarterfinal time in Rome and Djokovic and Nadal is one match away from playing each other in consecutive clay Masters semis. But they both have tough quarterfinal matches coming up. Djokovic faces Del Potro and Nadal faces Thiem who he also faced in the Barcelona and Madrid finals.

Djokovic has shown some signs of returning to his best level this week so far with straight-set wins over Bedene and Agut. Today he defeated Agut 6-4, 6-4 which is a good scoreline against a tough competitor.

This was Djokovic’s third straight-set victory in about a week which bodes well for his confidence. His next opponent Del Potro will be another test. Del Potro is a very talented player who already beat Dimitrov, Edmund, and Nishikori in Rome.

And that after playing only one other clay court match during the season in Estoril. Today he defeated 7th seed Nishikori 7-6(4), 6-3. Djokovic defeated him in Acapulco and Indian Wells but Del Potro is always a danger.

Just a classic @DjokerNole point #ibi17 pic.twitter.com/ByByU1kJpb

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 18, 2017

At least it is very unlikely the Del Potro will withdraw like Nishikori did in Madrid because if Djokovic is going to stand a chance at defeating Nadal he will need at least one more big test. That said, Thiem is no pushover either and saved three match points in the third-set tiebreak against Querrey today.

In the top half, Murray and Wawrinka lost early again and the quarters will be Zverev vs Raonic and Isner vs Cilic. Murray has been a very poor number and Djokovic will pass him in the race if he defeats Del Potro.

Djokovic is starting to find some form now but it is yet to be seen if it will be enough to defend his French Open title. I don’t like to look further ahead than one match but if he does meet Nadal in Rome he will probably need to defeat him to have any chance at defeating him at the French.

Let’s see what happens tomorrow. Looking forward to good tennis!

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