rg10melzer.djokovic

Points won by each set: [ 22-32, 21-28, 35-27, 55-44, 40-38 ]
Points won directly behind the serve:
28 % Melzer – 41 of 145
15 % Djokovic – 30 of 197 *

One of the most stunning turnarounds in history of the tournament as far as the quarterfinal matches are concerned! To win a match from two-sets-to-love being in a potential position to lose another three sets it’s a very rare occurrence, so it’s absolutely amazing that Melzer [22] managed to do that in the most important match of his career, against one of the greatest 5-set players of all time. The Austrian trailed *0:2 in the 3rd set, then was five points away from losing sets Nos. 4 & 5; in the 4th set in quite comfortable situation though, as Djokovic improved from 0:6 to 3:6 in the tie-break. Melzer had wasted seven break points at 4:3 (nine deuces) in that set. In the 5th set the Serbian [3] blew a break point leading 3:2 (Melzer’s BH dropshot), but put himself in a position of five points away from victory again, as he had two advantages on serve at 4-all. Melzer, trying to serve the match out, missed a relatively easy volley on his first match point, then saved two break points to finally win the thriller on Suzanne Lenglen after 4 hours 15 minutes! Melzer enjoyed the best period of his career between Dubai ’10 & Monte Carlo ’11 (semifinals in those big events), when he defeated inter alia, Djokovic, Nadal & Federer, advancing to the Top 10 as the first Austrian since the 90s (Thomas Muster). Prior to Roland Garros ’10, Melzer hadn’t passed beyond the third round in any of 31 major attempts!

* 26 service winners from Djokovic (not 22 as displayed in the picture)

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