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Novak Djokovic forehand French Open
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Djokovic stirred by Delic


Novak Djokovic needed four tight sets to overcome lucky loser Amer Delic on Friday in Melbourne, as he triumphed 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. In only his second ever set dropped in his last 10 Aussie Open matches, Djokovic seemed content with the performance.

It was a great battle. I look on the positive side I played a tough match, which is good for my game and my rhythm, said Djokovic. I tried not to think about a fifth set and Im very happy to get through.

Delic, who entered the main draw after Nicolas Kiefer withdrew with a left ankle injury, had become the first lucky loser to reach the Australian Open third round since 1991.

Djokovic faces Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis or American Mardy Fish in the fourth round, while Argentine Juan Martin del Potro and Croatias Marin Cilic will contend for a place in the quarter-finals after both won their third round encounters.

Eighth seed Del Potro, who won in Auckland last week, converted only four of his 24 break points, in a 6-7, 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 success over Luxembourgs Giles Muller.

Meanwhile, Cilic served up the shock of the day ousting eighth seed David Ferrer 7-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Andy Roddick was in outstanding form against French veteran Fabrice Santoro, bringing Santoros final Aussie Open appearance to an end in straight sets, prevailing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Roddick faces Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the fourth round, after he beat Nalbandians conqueror Lu Yen-hsun 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

In the doubles, Britains Ross Hutchins and his partner Stephen Huss were knocked out in the second round by Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski, the sixth seeds from Poland.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.