Djokovic falls in Toronto

26 July, 2008 | 02:07

Andy is through to his second ever semi-final at the Rogers Cup in Toronto after a stunning 6-3 7-6 (3) win over Aussie Open champion Novak Djokovic that he described as 'probably' the biggest of his career.

Going into the match with a 0-4 record against the world No. 3, Andy beat him at his own game: hitting agressively and with great length, staying ice cool, and serving well under pressure.

He'll now play Rafa Nadal next...

Highlights

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Match Stats

 Match Report

You'd have to give this one an A* all round; not only did Andy reverse a four game losing streak, but he did it right at the sharp end of a major tournament against one of the elite players.

What is more, he looked like he might belong in that rare pocket of players himself before long. 

From the point where he capitalised on the second of three break points in the second game to move 2-0 in front, Andy never looked like conceding the first set.

His returns were that good he all but nullified the Djokovic first seve, and his groundstrokes were hit with real depth and venom off both wings.

It all served to deny the Serb the oxygen on which his game thrives, and as a result the free points he'd gobbled up so readily in the past evaporated, to be replaced with a glut of errors.

Taking the set 6-3, Andy drew the line under 8 sets that he'd lost on the bounce previously against Djokovic.

As you might expect of the world No. 3, he rallied strongly in the second set, as both players traded break for break in the opening two games.

Another Djokovic forehand error gave Andy another break point in game five, and he edged 3-2 in front as the Serb backed it up with another unforced error.

Djokovic managed to defend another break point - and a potential double break - in game seven, before breaking himself to restore parity at four all.

As the match drew tighter, Djokovic defended another break point, before getting one set point on Andy's serve.

In an episode that summed up his approach Andy kissed the line on a big second serve to get himself out of trouble, and from five all they headed into a tie-break.

Djokovic's big match experience didn't help him in the crunch moment though, as yet more aggresive ground strokes from Andy saw him bring up five match points.

Djokovic bailed himself out of a couple, but it was an another error - Andy once more drawing it out of him - that saw his fate sealed.

A great win.