Novak Djokovic reveals key to cracking Marco Cecchinato challenge at French Open
NOVAK DJOKOVIC believes he knows how to beat Marco Cecchinato at the French Open.
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Djokovic is hoping to end a two-year Grand Slam drought at Roland Garros where he faces Cecchinato in the quarter-finals this afternoon.
The pair have never met in a competitive match but they do train together at the Ricardo Piatti Academy.
Cecchinato is the lowest ranked and only unseeded player left in the competition and has never previously been past the first round of a Grand Slam.
And Djokovic acknowledges he will be in for a difficult afternoon against a man ‘playing the best tennis of his life’.
I know now his game and I practiced with him, I watched him play
“I have known of him for many years,” Djokovic said.
“I have practiced with him many times in Monte-Carlo when he was part of the Piatti, Ricardo Piatti Academy team
“He trained a lot where I reside, where I live. We trained a lot on hard courts and clay courts and we actually trained this year before the Monte-Carlo tournament.
“I know now his game and I practised with him, I watched him play.
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“He’s playing the best tennis of his life. He won his first title recently.”
Cecchinato has knocked two top-10 players out of the tournament on his way to the last eight.
Pablo Carrero Busta and David Goffin were the victims - and Djokovic was impressed with both results.
“Goffin was probably tired a little bit from the match with [Gael] Monfils, but still, to pull out a big upset for Marco is quite impressive,” Djokovic added.
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“Congratulations to him for a great tournament.
“And even though he's not a seeded player, he's still in quarter-final. He deserves respect and he's got nothing to lose in our next match.
“So I'll approach it very seriously.”