Djokovic Earns 800th Career Win to Reach Queen’s Club Semis; Cilic, Kyrgios and Chardy Advance
(June 22, 2018) Novak Djokovic advanced to the semifinals of Queen’s Club with a win over Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-1 to earn his 800th career match win on the ATP World Tour. Djokovic becomes just the tenth man to achieve this feat in the Open Era.
“It’s a milestone, and of course it’s a great achievement,” he said to media. “Every achievement is a great achievement. I should be happy for it and proud of it.
“You know, when you work all your life for something and then you get awards for it, of course — and of course also throughout your career, you’re enjoying the process, as well. It’s obviously very positive and I’m thrilled. I’m grateful, as well, as I’m able to play so many matches and to win so many matches in my career.
“It’s still the sport that I love with all my heart. I put in that heart every single day, and, you know, I’m just very glad to be able to play semifinals here after, you know, Rome and Roland Garros tournaments that went pretty well for me.
“But before that, it was a struggle with surgery and elbow and up-and-downs and trying to figure things out and get that consistency in the game.
“So I’m really glad that I was able to play the way that I did in the first three matches in this tournament, and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Djokovic will be taking on Frenchman Jeremy Chardy who beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic was asked what he expects in his their match on Saturday.
“Well, Chardy has been playing really well on grass this year. He won Surbiton challenger. I followed his results. He played finals ‘s-Hertogenbosch, I think. He’s won many matches so far.
“I think being able to play that many matches and win in a row, you know, builds confidence, especially on this surface that we don’t have a long season on this surface. So, you know, he got plenty of matches under his belt in last couple of weeks.
“He is feeling confident and comfortable, as well. I have seen him play a little bit, Chardy. He has a powerful serve and I have played him many times also on grass. Big forehand.
“It’s semifinals. Look, you know, you’ve got to step out on the court whoever you play and play your best, and right now I’m just excited to be in semifinals. I haven’t had too many of those, you know, last 15 months. So let’s hope that I can get a chance to fight for a trophy.”
Djokovic lead in the head-to-head record against Chardy 10-0.
Top seed Marin Cilic beat 2010 champion Sam Querrey 7-6(3), 6-2 to reach the semifinals. Cilic will take on Nick Kyrgios who defeated defending champion Feliciano Lopez 7-6(5), 7-6(3). The Australian hit 32 aces against the Spaniard.
Kyrgios was asked about what king of match he expects against Cilic: “Obviously some big serves again. He does everything really well. He serves well. He’s got an unbelievable backhand. His forehand is quite big. Moves pretty well for a big man. Returns well.
“I know it’s going to be very tough. Last time I played him was a while ago, Marseilles final, but, yeah, it’s going to be tough. He obviously feels very confident on the grass. I mean, he played Querrey today and looked really, really good.
“I’m not going to think about that at the moment.”
“I’m in a good place right now on the grass,” Kyrgios said. “I’m serving well. I feel good from the back. I want to just stay focused for this tournament.
“You know, I definitely feel like my preparation for Wimbledon maybe hasn’t been this good before. I have never won a round here. I have always gone into Wimbledon maybe a little bit underdone match-wise.
“I have played a lot of matches going into Wimbledon, which is maybe something that can help me going forward.”
