Novak Djokovic will play yet another final in 2022 after he defeated Roman Safiullin in the semifinals of the 2022 Tel Aviv Open.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion entered the tournament as a huge favourite and throughout the tournament, he confirms his role. After defeating Pablo Andujar and Vasek Pospisil, the Serbian gave no chance to yet another opponent, this time Roman Safiullin.
As he usually does lately, Novak Djokovic started the match in a dominant style. He won 15 out of the first 18 rallies and soon enjoyed a big 5-0 lead. For a brief moment it seemed that he may bagel his opponent in the first set, but eventually, the Russian won one game and so the 2022 Wimbledon champion won the first set 6-1 in 23 minutes.
There was much more action in the second set. Surprisingly, it was world no. 104 who had the first two break points. But Safiullin couldn't use his chances in the sixth game and three games later, Djokovic used his only chance of the set to get a 5-4 lead and serve for the set.
Yet, the Russian showed his fighting spirit and broke the 21-time Grand Slam champion back and so the set eventually reached the tie-break. Djokovic used his experience to prevail and win the match 6-1, 7-6(3). In the final, he will await winner of the match between Constant Lestienne and Marin Cilic.
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