French Open: I`m in best form of my life, says Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic shattered Rafael Nadal`s French Open stranglehold in a brutal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 quarter-final demolition on Wednesday and admitted he`s in the best form of his life.
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Paris: Novak Djokovic shattered Rafael Nadal`s French Open stranglehold in a brutal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 quarter-final demolition on Wednesday and admitted he`s in the best form of his life.
It was just nine-time champion Nadal`s second defeat in 72 matches at Roland Garros and Djokovic`s 27th successive win on the tour this year.
"Everything is coming together in my life and I am experiencing probably the pinnacle of my career, of my life. I am a complete person. Very satisfied on and off the court," said 28-year-old Djokovic who, in the last 12 months, has got married and become a father.
"I think it all influences the results and my performances."
This year, Djokovic boasts a 40-2 winning record and is undefeated since February.
In that time, he has racked up a fifth Australian Open as well as sweeping Masters at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome.
Djokovic`s next task is to take on third seed Andy Murray on Friday for a place in Sunday`s final as he continues his campaign for a first French Open title and a career Grand Slam, something only done by seven other men.
A win on Sunday, should he get that far, would also put him halfway to a calendar Grand Slam which has only ever been achieved by two men -- Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969).
The Serb was facing Nadal for the 44th time on Wednesday and raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first set before the Spaniard rallied to level at 4-4.
That was about as good as it got for the 29-year-old left-hander who was constantly under siege for the rest of the match and in a sobering third set managed to win just 13 points.
"I didn`t want to give him too much comfort and the opportunity to dictate the play," said Djokovic, who carved out 18 break points against the nine-time winner.
"I tried to mix up the pace, get into the net. Dropshots, high balls, fast balls, always something different.
"He didn`t serve well, especially in the second and third sets. He made some unforced errors that are not characteristic of him from the forehand side. But that`s what happens when you don`t feel comfortable on the court.
"I played fast to his forehand, moved him around the court and he was a bit uncomfortable in his footing. That`s where I want him."
Despite the one-sided victory, Djokovic said it would be wrong to write off Nadal -- who followed fellow heavyweight Roger Federer out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage -- as a force in the game.
"I don`t think this is a big deal. He`s 29 and still has years in front of him and I am sure he`s going to bounce back and play very strong."