Tennis

It's my biggest success, says Djokovic

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-07 08:38

PARIS - Serb Novak Djokovic was delighted after reaching his first grand slam semi-final courtesy of a straight sets win over Russia's Igor Andreev at Roland Garros on Wednesday.

Djokovic dominated his opponent from start to finish to set up an clash with world number two and two time defending champion Rafael Nadal.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his match against Russia's Igor Andreev at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris June 6, 2007. [Reuters]

"I played really, really well," the 20-year-old said.

"I wanted to impose my style of play. It's a sport where things can change very quickly. I knew he was a dangerous player.

"He's a specialist on clay and beat Andy Roddick. It was his first quarter final and he had nothing to lose. I'm really happy that I managed to stay focused and be in control. I was really aggressive from the start and I think that was the key.

"My first semi-final of a grand slam, it's the biggest success I 've had in my career," said the sixth seed.

"A lot of people expected for me to reach the second week here and I'm happy that I did it. I'm really looking forward to the semi-final."

Djokovic, who celebrated his 20th birthday two weeks ago, will be the 12th youngest Roland Garros semifinalist in the Open Era. He is also the first player from his country to reach the Roland Garros men's semifinals.

Andreev, who is still on the comeback trail after knee surgery, was ranked as high as 24 in the world last year but has plummeted to 125 after missing the last six months of last year.

"It was my first experience in the quarter finals of a grand slam," he said.

"It was the first time I won four matches in a row and that takes a lot of strength. It was even harder for me, having not played for a long time."