Five-time ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic needed just 69 minutes to beat Belgium's David Goffin in an error-strewn affair at London's 02 Arena.
Five-time ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic needed just 69 minutes to beat Belgium's David Goffin in an error-strewn affair at London's 02 Arena.
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Goffin, a late replacement for the injured Gael Monfils, knew he could only advance to the semifinals if there happened to be a spate of injuries.
Goffin, a late replacement for the injured Gael Monfils, knew he could only advance to the semifinals if there happened to be a spate of injuries.
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An alternate hasn't won a match at the ATP Finals since Janjo Tipsarevic in 2011. The man he defeated that day? Novak Djokovic.
An alternate hasn't won a match at the ATP Finals since Janjo Tipsarevic in 2011. The man he defeated that day? Novak Djokovic.
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Coming into the match having never beaten the Serb, Goffin had to be on top form to have any chance of producing a similar upset. But, broken twice in his first three service games, Monfils' replacement didn't offer much of a threat.
Coming into the match having never beaten the Serb, Goffin had to be on top form to have any chance of producing a similar upset. But, broken twice in his first three service games, Monfils' replacement didn't offer much of a threat.
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With Goffin getting under 50% of his first serves in, Djokovic didn't have to be at his best to take the first set 6-1.<br />
With Goffin getting under 50% of his first serves in, Djokovic didn't have to be at his best to take the first set 6-1.
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An onlooking Boris Becker wouldn't have been happy with his charge early on, either; Djokovic double faulted twice in a row, handing the first two points to Goffin and setting the tone for the rest of the match.
An onlooking Boris Becker wouldn't have been happy with his charge early on, either; Djokovic double faulted twice in a row, handing the first two points to Goffin and setting the tone for the rest of the match.
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If the Serb's heavyweight clash with Raonic earlier in the week had been one of the matches of the tournament, this was less of a spectacle. The umpire handing Djokovic a time violation drew one of the biggest crowd reactions of the afternoon.
If the Serb's heavyweight clash with Raonic earlier in the week had been one of the matches of the tournament, this was less of a spectacle. The umpire handing Djokovic a time violation drew one of the biggest crowd reactions of the afternoon.
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But if Djokovic was aggrieved by the decision, it only spurred him on. He wrapped up victory in the second set by six games to two, sending his opponent home after just 69 minutes on court. The world No. 2 marches on, and a Saturday semifinal awaits.
But if Djokovic was aggrieved by the decision, it only spurred him on. He wrapped up victory in the second set by six games to two, sending his opponent home after just 69 minutes on court. The world No. 2 marches on, and a Saturday semifinal awaits.
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In Thursday's evening match, Dominic Thiem faced Milos Raonic with both men attempting to reach the semifinals of the competition for the first time.
In Thursday's evening match, Dominic Thiem faced Milos Raonic with both men attempting to reach the semifinals of the competition for the first time.
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And it was the big-serving Canadian who got off to the better start, taking the first set on the tiebreak after hitting 11 aces.
And it was the big-serving Canadian who got off to the better start, taking the first set on the tiebreak after hitting 11 aces.
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Thiem kept unforced errors to a minimum, but ultimately found the Raonic serve too hot to handle. The Canadian won 91% of points on his first serve compared to just 61% for Thiem.
Thiem kept unforced errors to a minimum, but ultimately found the Raonic serve too hot to handle. The Canadian won 91% of points on his first serve compared to just 61% for Thiem.
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With the first set in the bag and his service game locked up, Raonic went on the hunt early in the second.
With the first set in the bag and his service game locked up, Raonic went on the hunt early in the second.
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It paid off. Thiem might have won more matches from a set down than any other player this season, but Raonic ultimately took the second quite comfortably. With victory here, he becomes the first Canadian in history to reach the semifinals of this competition. Bring on Saturday. 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
It paid off. Thiem might have won more matches from a set down than any other player this season, but Raonic ultimately took the second quite comfortably. With victory here, he becomes the first Canadian in history to reach the semifinals of this competition. Bring on Saturday. 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
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