Dominant Novak Djokovic reacts to dismantling Botic van de Zandschulp at Astana Open

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic credited his serve for helping him get through his Astana Open round-of-16 match. On Thursday, fourth-seeded Djokovic saw off 34th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-1. After breaking van de Zandschulp in the sixth game, Djokovic saved a break point in the following game to go 5-2 up.

In the ninth game, Djokovic served out for the first set. After van de Zandschulp served out the first game of the second set, Djokovic claimed three breaks in a row and won six consecutive games to seal a straight-set win in style.

Djokovic faced a break point in the sixth game of the second set but was able to save it.

Djokovic on his victory over van de Zandschulp

“I think my serve worked very well when I needed to get out of the trouble in the first set particularly.

There were some 30/30 games, and when I broke his serve for 4-2, I faced a break point and I came in, and he had a look at that passing shot and he missed it. The match is decided in these moments. [Between] 5-2 or 4-3 up there is a big difference, and I served well to end the first set," Djokovic said, per the ATP website.

After claiming just one break in the first set, Djokovic broke van de Zandschulp three times in the second set. “[In the] second set I think I started to read his serve better and just started swinging through the court more.

Botic is a quality tennis player. When he has time, he can hurt you, so I tried to take away that time from him and I’m very pleased with the way I played, particularly in the second," Djokovic added. Djokovic plays Karen Khachanov in the Astana quarterfinal.

Djokovic, who won the Tel Aviv Open last week, has now won his last six matches. Against Khachanov, Djokovic is the big favorite to win and reach the semifinal.