"Kecmanovic was very solid (...) he was moving well but in general, I felt better than yesterday (Wednesday, editor's note) even if I was led a set to zero and broken", a said Djokovic after the meeting, which lasted almost two and a half hours.
"He helped me a bit by making a few mistakes towards the end of the second set and allowed me to come back" to the score, he continued.
"After that it was a whole different story," summed up the world No.1.
In the previous round, after having already conceded the first set, Djokovic, 34, had to fight to get rid of another of his compatriots, Lazlo Djere (N. 50), reversing the course of the match at the cost of two decisive games and almost three and a half hours of gameplay.
Faced with Kecmanovic, recent quarter-finalist in Indian Wells and Miami, Djokovic appeared more on his legs and, carried by his Belgrade public at times euphoric, seemed to master his tennis better.
"Nole", who assured not to be too tired by these two long games, will face for a place in the final the Russian Karen Khachanov (N.26), who eliminated the Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-4.
The Serb, who was unable to defend his chances at the Australian Open or in the Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, did not play only six matches since the start of the season and now has four wins for two defeats, including a first-round elimination in Monte-Carlo.
© 2022 AFP