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Alexander Zverev is a satisfied man after getting through to the quarter-finals by dropping only one set through the first four rounds.
The world No.2 freely admits he had doubts about his readiness for the Australian Open, which kicked off seven days ago.
“A week ago I was very unsure of my level, I was very unsure of my tennis,” said in his on-court interview after a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
“I couldn’t really play many points in practice, I couldn’t really prepare the way I wanted to, but that’s even why I’m more happy to be in quarter-finals.”
Djokovic had a rough service game falling to 0-40 and giving his box a serve, why I don’t know but I think he was just frustrated he was caught off guard by a drop shot.
In other times, Djokovic would fight back but he ended up hitting the ball into the net at 15-40 and conceeding the break.
We are back on serve at 1-1 in the third set.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia makes a backhand return.Credit: AP
That was another poor service game for Lehecka and, once more, Djokovic didn’t need to do much but wait for his errors.
It ended on a double fault. Djokovic is now serving for a 2-0 lead in the third set.
If the Czech player doesn’t lift, this could be over before Melbourne’s gorgeous blue and pin sunset turns to night.
Djokovic is right on the march for the quarterfinals as he completes the second set win 6-4.
Lehecka has struggled to get his hitting rhythm right or put Djokovic under any real pressure.
Novak Djokovic.Credit: Getty Images
All signs point to Djokovic handling business in the third set but the young Czech hitter could still cause a shock.
Djokovic leads 6-3, 6-4 and they’ve only been on court 91 minutes.
GAME, SET, MATCH.
Victory for Alexander Zverev against Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
Alexander Zverev.Credit: Getty Images
It was as clinical a win you could ever find …. in a four-set match.
He wins 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
One very Aussie sounding fan expressed his support for Lehecka by screaming out ’Go LA-HECKA”.
For those playing at home, the pronunciation is closer to Le-Hech-Ka although I’ll stand corrected if any Czech nationals want to correct me.
Jiri Lehecka.Credit: AP
On the other hand, a couple of Czech fans tried their best to fire up the young man with a chant of “Le, Le, Le-Hech-Ka”.
Only two of them did it but you could hear them nonetheless.
Either way, Jiri is trying with all his might to get back into this second set.
He’s down 6-3, 3-2 with Djokovic to serve next.
This is looking nothing but inevitable.
Alexander Zverev closes to within two games of a fourth round win. After a few minor hiccups, he’s dominating the match against Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
After two hours and 10 minutes of action at John Cain Arena, Zverev leads 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 4-2.
Djokovic had a bad start to that service game and he was left with a break point to defend.
Lehecka couldn’t make the most of his opportunity and Djokovic turned things around to hold his serve.
It’s a very warm night on court still, it would be in the high 20s and a bit humid.
The second set is still on serve but neither player has performed all that well.
Djokovic leads 6-3, 2-1.
That will give Alexander Zverev plenty of confidence.
The world No.2 moves back to a position of dominance in his fourth round clash versus Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
Alexander Zverev.Credit: Getty Images
Zverev took the third set and moved to within striking distance of a quarter-final berth.
The world No.2 has put his second set nerves on the backburner.
He’s playing comfortably again. Zverev leads 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.
Djokovic has the first set in the bag 6-3 and he really hasn’t had to get out of second gear for it.
Lehecka is one of the tour’s best ball strikers but he just can’t find his radar so far tonight so he is spraying it everywhere.
He hit the ball long on set point.
But credit to Djokovic, he has been as steady as ever.
Novakd Djokovic.Credit: AP
