ATP Australian Open: Novak Djokovic takes massive lead against Roger Federer

With the momentum on his side after a turnaround in the opener, Djokovic dominated on serve in set number two, waiting for a chance on the return patiently and securing the break at 5-4 to take two sets to love lead against Roger Federer. Novak held at 15 in the first game when Roger sprayed a backhand error, continuing where he left in the second part of the opener and hoping for more of the same on the return. Facing two break chances in the second game, the Swiss repelled both with a booming serve, adding two more to bring the game home and level the score at 1-1.

For the fourth straight service game, Djokovic felt no problems behind the initial shot, holding at love following a forced error from Federer to move 2-1 up before Roger held a service winner to remain on the positive side of the scoreboard. Another powerful hold sent the Serb 3-2 up, barely losing a point in his games so far in the second set and challenging Federer to repat the same if he wanted to follow his pace. The Swiss repelled a break chance in the next game, taking the advantage with a service winner and forcing a mistake from Novak to lock up the result at 3-3 and survive the first part of the set.

Standing strong in his games, Novak secured the seventh game with a backhand crosscourt winner, followed by Roger who also produced a quick hold to send the pressure back to the other side. Rattling off one comfortable hold after another, Djokovic landed a service winner to gain a 5-4 advantage, with Federer serving to stay in th4e set after the break. Determined to avoid another tie break, Djokovic broke with an incredible short forehand crosscourt winner, taking the set 6-4 and moving closer to the finish line. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3aXlJCj