The big four, already shorn of Andy Murray at the 2013 French Open, are not having it all their own way. Rafael Nadal has dropped two sets already, Roger Federer was pushed to the brink by Gilles Simon, and then on Monday Novak Djokovic found himself a set adrift in the early going against Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Djokovic shook off his early sloth and dominated both in offence and defence, picking holes in Kohlschreiber’s game by attacking always at just the right moment.
There was a still a nervous moment at the end of the match, when Nole turned out to need two bites at the cherry to serve out for victory. 5-2 and cruising became 5-4 and wobbling, but Djokovic showed just why he is the world No.1 and concluded the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. His dream of taking the only Slam to elude him to date is still alivebut it's Tommy Haas standing between him and a place in the semi-finals, where a certain Majorcan could be lying in wait.
"Conditions were difficult for both of us but he adjusted better," conceded Djokovic. "He was more aggressive. I was still trying to find my rhythm on the court and the set was gone. I needed to earn my victory."
Courtesy- www.rolandgarros.com
