Novak Djokovic reaches semi-finals at Montreal Masters
Saturday 15 August 2015 09:25, UK
Novak Djokovic survived two match points against Ernests Gulbis before coming through 5-7 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 to set up a semi-final date with Jeremy Chardy at the Montreal Masters on Friday.
The World No 1 and top seed looked to be facing the exit door against the world No 87 from Latvia in the second set tie-break.
But qualifier Gulbis, who came into the contest having won just five matches on the ATP circuit this season, failed to take his opportunity.
The Serb levelled the match and then sealed a double break in the deciding set to make the final four.
Djokovic continues to dominate at the ATP Tour's biggest events, unbeaten in a prestigious Masters 1000 tournament since he fell to Roger Federer in Shanghai last year.
Tournament champion in 2007, 2011 and 2012, Djokovic has now won 51 of 54 matches this year.
"You have to give credit to (Gulbis) for playing an excellent match," Djokovic told the official ATP World Tour website.
"He was always making me play an extra shot, and putting a lot of pressure on my second serve.
"I had a lot of chances and closed it out in the end, but he had a couple of match points and it would've been deserved if he had won this match tonight."
He will next face Chardy who saved a remarkable seven match points before outlasting John Isner 6-7 (11-9) 7-6 (15-13) 7-6 (6-4) in a rain-delayed quarter-final epic.
The match began nearly two hours late and was interrupted for more than an hour in the second set by another shower.
Chardy fought off five match points in the second-set tie-breaker alone before he converted on his fourth set point to keep his hopes alive.
Live ATP Masters Tennis
The Frenchman fought off two more match points on his serve at 6-5 in the decider before converting on his first match point in three hours and seven minutes of action to reach his first ever Masters 1000 semi-final.
The 6ft-10in Isner had won 11 of his previous 12 matches, taking the title two weeks ago in Atlanta and finishing runner-up in Washington last week.
"I'm very proud to reach my first Masters semi-final," said the 49th-ranked winner who levelled his season record at 18-18.
The 28-year-old has cast a spell over Isner in their series, winning all four of their meetings including the Roland Garros second round last May.
"It was such a tough match, but I stuck to my strategy," said Chardy, winner of his only career title in Stuttgart six years ago.
"I stayed strong mentally, which was key and I had great support from the crowd."
In the other quarter-finals, second-seeded Andy Murray faces 10th-seeded defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, while seventh-seeded Rafael Nadal is scheduled to play Washington Open champion Kei Nishikori.
Live ATP Masters Tennis
You can tune into the conclusion to the Montreal Masters on Sky Sports this weekend.
Non-subscribers can also watch without a contract through online streaming service NOW TV.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
