Ruthless Djokovic Ends Wawrinka’s Comeback Run In Rome

Novak Djokovic moved to within one win of retaining his World No. 1 status Thursday at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, overcoming Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-2 in chapter 26 of their long-running rivalry.

The Serbian, who must reach the semi-finals to stop Daniil Medvedev from climbing to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings Monday, soaked up Wawrinka’s heavy ball-striking and pulled the former World No. 3 around to advance to the quarter-finals after 75 minutes.

Djokovic now leads Wawrinka 20-6 in their ATP Head2Head series, with their meeting in Rome their first since the Swiss star defeated the top seed at the US Open in 2019.

“It is great to see Stan back and winning. He won two tough matches. You can see he is still not physically where he wants to be. But nevertheless he is Stan Wawrinka and he can hurt you if you give him time,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “I managed to do well from the beginning. I really moved him around the court and held my serve comfortably except for that loss of my serve in the second set.”

The 34-year-old will compete in his 89th ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final on Friday against Felix Auger-Aliassime after the eighth-seeded Canadian defeated American Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-2.

“I have known Felix for quite a few years,” Djokovic said. “He is established, a Top 10 player, so is right up there. He is as hard worker on the Tour that you see and he is a nice guy. His all-around game is improving. He is improving on clay. I know his game and what is expected.”

The World No. 1 has been building momentum over the past month following his second-round exit in Monte Carlo. The 86-time tour-level titlist enjoyed a run to the final in Belgrade before he reached the semi-finals at the Mutua Madrid Open last week.

Djokovic is trying to capture a record-extending 38th Masters 1000 crown in the Italian capital, where he is a five-time champion. His first title in Rome came in 2008, when he beat Wawrinka in the championship match.

FOLLOW THIS WEEK’S ACTION

📺 TV Schedule
🎾 Watch Live On Tennis TV
📱 Follow Live Scores On ATP Tour App
📧 Sign Up For Newsletters

In front of a packed crowd on centre court, it was Djokovic who made the faster start as he quickly found his range on return to break immediately. The Serbian hugged the baseline throughout the set and successfully outmanoeuvred Wawrinka through a combination of precise groundstrokes and drop shots to lead after 31 minutes.

With his foot on the pedal, Djokovic continued to demonstrate great feel and power in the second set to frustrate Wawarinka. The 34-year-old returned aggressively as he read the Wawrinka serve well throughout, breaking three times in the second set to triumph.

Wawrinka earned his first tour-level win in 15 months when he defeated Reilly Opelka in his opening match in Rome, before he edged Laslo Djere to set up a meeting with Djokovic.

The 37-year-old, who was sidelined last season due to a foot injury, was aiming to reach his fourth quarter-final in Rome.

Did You Know?
Djokovic has reached at least the quarter-finals in all 16 of his appearances in Rome.