After losing to Feliciano Lopez just three weeks ago, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic
was ruthless in his dismissal of the Spaniard on Wednesday evening at the BNP Paribas Open, reaching the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 victory on Stadium 1.
Djokovic advanced in just 66 minutes, winning 75 per cent of his service points and breaking Lopez three times from six opportunities. Lopez is the only man to beat Djokovic this season, when the Serb retired due to an eye problem after the first set of their Dubai quarterfinal last month.
"I have respect for his game, which definitely made me very cautious of approaching this match and made me very determined to impose my game plan from the very beginning," said Djokovic.
"Obviously trying to be patient and wait for the opportunities, and when they presented, I needed to capitalize on them. Which I did.
"I don't think he has played on the level that he can, but I just think that I made him play an extra shot, which is very important against players like him. I was very solid. I didn't allow him to come to the net too many times. It was a good performance."
Lopez had earned his place in the Round of 16 after an epic victory over fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut on Tuesday, in a match lasting three hours and 16 minutes. The 34-year-old Lopez is back in action Thursday when he and Marc Lopez team up in the doubles quarterfinals against Australian Open champions Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares.
Source: BNP Paribas Open
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