Novak Djokovic: Serb reveals what is a ‘good sign’ after latest Queen’s win
NOVAK DJOKOVIC believes his progress into the latter rounds of recent tournaments represents strong progress and is a “good sign” that he is recovering his best level of tennis.
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The Serbian booked his place in today’s semi-finals of the Queen’s Club Championships with a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over France’s Adrian Mannarino in the last eight.
That follows Djokovic’s runs to the Italian Open semi-finals, where he lost to winner Rafael Nadal, and the quarter-finals of the French Open where he lost an exhaustive fourth-set tiebreak to the unseeded Marco Cecchinato.
The former world No 1 has continued to make forward steps in recent weeks since an elbow injury curtailed his 2017 season and hampered the first few months of his current ATP Tour.
He claimed his first win over a top-10 opponent in over a year by beating Grigor Dimitrov with a vintage display on Thursday.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion has not won a title since the 250-series Eastbourne International 12 months ago but can make his first final since beating Gael Monfils last July when he takes on Jeremy Chardy on Centre Court today.
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I’m just really glad to be able to play at this level and to get my 800th win as well.
And after claiming the 800th win of his career in beating Mannarino at Queen’s, Djokovic - who has never won at Queen's but made the 2008 final - told ATP World Tour that he is feeling better and better.
“It’s a good sign and it’s obviously something that I’ve hoped for. I was working for it as well,” the 31-year-old declared.
“In a way it doesn’t surprise me because I know what I’m capable of.
“I’ve been winning most of the major tournaments over the course of so many years and winning against all the players on different surfaces.
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“I have that kind of in my folder.
“It took a little bit of time to really get things together after surgery and I had to modify my game and my service motion.
“All in all I’m just really glad to be able to play at this level and to get my 800th win as well, which is a great milestone and I’m very grateful for that.”
Djokovic - who entered this tournament as a wildcard - is second up at Queen’s today following Marin Cilic’s semi-final against Nick Kyrgios, which starts at 1pm.
Djokovic will likely take on Chardy at around 3:30pm.