Top seed Novak Djokovic beat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 7-6(1) to reach the semifinals of the Italian Open on Friday and move within one win of 1,000 career victories.
Top seed Novak Djokovic returned to No. 1 in the ATP Rankings with a 7-5, 7-6(1) win over Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Italian Open 2022 quarter-finals on Friday, guaranteeing a 370th week at the top of men's tennis on Monday.
By reaching the semis in Rome, the 20-time Grand Slam winner avoided surrendering the top spot to Russian Daniil Medvedev for the second time this year. The Serb, who will now face Norwegian fifth seed Casper Ruud next, is just one win away from his 1000th career victory.
GOING NOWHERE ❌ reaches the Rome semi-finals and secures a 370th (!!) week at World No.1 pic.twitter.com/3WQQFBeRFl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV)Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime were neck and neck until the 34-year-old broke to lead 5-3, but the eighth seed fought back. However, it proved only a blip as the Serbian wrapped up the opening set in style.
The 21-year-old Canadian was applauded by the World No.1 player for his display of endurance in rallies but fell 5-3 behind, only to drag himself back into the contest again. Having forced a tiebreak, though, Aliassime was no match for Djokovic, who found another gear when required.
What. An. ENDING 🤯 & with some UNBELIEVABLE tennis to end their late night epic in Rome! pic.twitter.com/i0tsyStr0h
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV)"He has the lethal serve, honestly... It was not easy for me at all to return. He's also returning well, moving well. He's a complete player. I was a set and 5-2, match point, serving for the match. Credit to him for fighting back. Amazing atmosphere as well tonight," Djokovic told reporters after securing his 999th career win.
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On Friday, Casper Ruud continued his excellent form on European clay as he claimed a hard-fought 7-6(7), 7-5 win against Canada's Denis Shapovalov. Meanwhile, World number 3 Alexander Zverev remained on course to claim his first title of the season after overcoming Cristian Garin to set up a semi-final showdown with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who saw off home favourite Jannik Sinner.
Following this win, Djokovic fans, who have been eager to see their favourite star return to form following a tough start to the season, expressed joy over the Serb retaining his World No.1 ranking and are gearing up for his 1000th career victory. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
999th win of career ✔️
230th Top 10 win of career ✔️
Keeps No. 1 ✔️
🇷🇸 Novak Djokovic is into the 73rd Masters 1000 semifinal of his career—and 13th in Rome—after a 7-5, 7-6 (1) victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
He'll face Casper Ruud on Saturday for his 1,000th career win.
Novak Djokovic, 999 matches won now.
9, a magic number for him :
9 AO won (absolute record)
At least 9 SF played in each GS (absolute record)
At least 79 matches won in each GS (absolute record)
9 different Masters 1000 won (absolute record)
9 USO finals played (absolute record)
999 wins. ❤️
370 weeks No.1. ❤️
13 SF in Rome. ❤️
My man ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/YrcKLg8aDy
A master class 6-1 tie-break by Novak, World #1!
(999 career wins by Djokovic according to the announcer)
👏👏👏
Novak Djokovic officially has 370 weeks as no.1 and 999 wins I'm😭😭❤️🔥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/9tbqAqZNmQ
— // (@tanyadiors)Djokovic's most successful clay tournament is Rome a 5x Champion!!
Currently the World No1 is on 999 wins!!
Asked if Rome is a fitting venue to potentially bring up Djokovic's 1000th win Novak replies absolutely yes!!
Rome loves Djokovic & Djokovic loves Rome!! https://t.co/VC6o7kF09l
999 WINS 🤯🙌🏻!
[getty images] pic.twitter.com/IXF3vzgW4Z
Well gosh that was fun. Djokovic gets match career win No. 999.
— Jill Martin (@ByJillMartin)NOVAK,YOU BEAUTY !
7-5;7-6 and into his 13th semifinal at 👊💪🙌 you were brilliant 👏
999 career wins ❤
¡A UN PASO DEL CLUB DE LOS 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣!
Djokovic sumó la victoria número 999 de su carrera y se metió en las semifinales de tras un 7-5 y 7-6 (1) a Auger-Aliassime. ✅
Únicamente Ruud lo separa de una nueva final de M1000. pic.twitter.com/WYlc2fESty