Novak Djokovic surmounted conditions soggy at his 38th anniversary to beat Matteo Arnaldi on Thursday and reach the Semi-finals of Geneva Open in a development event for Roland Garros. The former world number one recovered a break in the second set to win a 6-4, 6-4 victory against the Italian classified 39th which threw him at the first obstacle to Madrid last month. Djokovic hunts the 100th title of his career on the eve of the French Open not having won a tournament since his Olympic Gold capture in Paris last August.
“It’s great to be in the semi-finals again. Last year, I played the semi-finals. I hope this year, I can go at least a step further. That’s the goal,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic, who received a joker to play in Geneva after jumping Rome, will meet the Aleéi Popyrin in Australia or the British qualifier Cameron Norrie for a place in the final on Saturday.
The Grand Chelem champion 24 times had not won a match on Clay this season after having also lost his opening match of Monte Carlo in early April in Alejandro Tabilo.
Only one break at the start of the first set allowed Djokovic to take control, but the sixth-row Serb had to rally from 4-1 in the second before ranging Arnaldi.
He said that an angry explosion after abandoning the service helped him reset when he won the last five games.
“I think I really play, very good tennis,” said Djokovic, who was presented in the court with a chocolate cake with magic candles after his victory.
“Today, it was a lot of tension on the field. A victory in straight sets, but it was much closer than the score may not indicate it.
“I had 4-1 in the second. In one way or another, after this racket break, I did not lose a match and I found my state and my optimal balance, mentally and emotionally.”
Hubert Hurkacz released Taylor 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) earlier and will play the Austrian qualifier Sebastian Osters in the other semi-final.
The 128th row of the offer came from behind to beat the fourth seeded Karen Khachanv 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
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