Novak Djokovic overcame a defiant Gilles Simon in the fourth round of Australian Open after beating him 6-3 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 4-6 6-3 four hours and 32 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena.
In the process, Djokovic made a hundred unforced errors something very unexpected from the World Number 1. He also made it to his straight 27th quarter final in Grand Slams and will play Japan’s Kei Nishikori for a place in the semis.
“He is always making you play an extra shot. I made a lot of unforced errors today but he was fighting, he was playing well, physically it was very demanding and I’m just happy to get through this one,” said Djokovic after the match.
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As is the norm, the match between the two was trending on twitter and there were a lot of humorous and witty tweets by the fans.
About his failed drop shot mania ? "Brain freeze", Djokovic. Positive thing of this match ? "I can't do much worse now".
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) January 24, 2016
Dude in the crowd: "No more dropshots!"
Novak: "I hate to say it but you're absolutely right."— my big brother George: the richest man in town! (@pluckyloser) January 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/roobynVC/status/691178953927725057
that's why novak's #1 folks, 100 errors & wins. could have choked, but he showed the heart, the stuff champions are made of to get 100 & win
— Tennis Tweets (@tennistweetscom) January 24, 2016
Funny to see all these Federer fans how happy they are bcs of this match… but please, he is Novak, he will win this. Trust me! #fighter
— NO ONE LIKE NO1VAK (@TanjaKudra) January 24, 2016
So Federer made his own record of 300 GS wins & Djokovic made his own record of 100…100 UEs. And the NoleFam is seething!#Djokovic100
— KarenYouRFan (@RogerThat1782) January 24, 2016
To put Djokovic's 100 ufes in context:
– Kafelnikov hit 112 during a RG 2000 win
– Isner and Mahut made 91 ufes *combined* at Wimbledon 2010— Michael Beattie (@michaeljbeattie) January 24, 2016
@audrey552 I saw. If Djokovic doesn't lose when he hits 100 UEs…well, when will he lose?
— Fabio Valente (@FabioValenteTNN) January 24, 2016
Novak: "Not to take out anything from his fight and performance, he fought well…I don't think he was doing anything special…"
— Jonathan Carey-Newman (@Tennis_Jon) January 24, 2016
Djokovic: "Playing someone like Gilles you can expect a lot of rallies. I made a lot of unforced errors. It was physically demanding"
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2016
Wat a match 🙂 #Djokovic beats #Gilles in a five-set thriller (6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 ) to enter quarters of #AusOpen
— Vijay Muthu (@ekjactly) January 24, 2016
@keinishikori was on court in 1/2 the time Djokovic was. Nishikori beat Novak at the 2014 US Open in hot conditions. I'd say 50/50 on Tues
— Josh Strickland (@Strictly_Josh) January 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/kishankragrawal/status/691196919654166528
Djokovic through.
Consecutive Slam quarterfinals
Federer – 36
Djokovic – 27 not out
Connors – 27Pete Sampras – 10. @bbctennis
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) January 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/tumcarayol/status/691177392845516800
Djokovic will almost certainly win this match but I'd hate to see him come all this way and not make two more errors. 100 errors! Rare feat.
— Tom Perrotta (@TomPerrotta) January 24, 2016
Courier delivers a stat from HawkEye.
Last year, when 40-0 down against serve, Djokovic broke 32% of the time.
Mind-boggling.
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) January 24, 2016
The whole locker room, including Roger right now: https://t.co/sVVNSaF0St
— #RF20 (@thatpassingshot) January 24, 2016
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Djokovic. Drop shot.
— Nick Nemeroff (@NNemeroff) January 24, 2016
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The way Simon guides that backhand pass perfectly down the line in response to the #Djokovic approach is a treat to watch. #AusOpen
— Manoj Bhagavatula (@ManojB90) January 24, 2016
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Djokovic drops his first set since November 17. Had won his last 26 consecutive sets. He is 2/14 on break point conversions this match
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) January 24, 2016