Djokovic Set to Clash with Norrie in Geneva Open Semi-Final

GENEVA — Novak Djokovic celebrated his 37th birthday by securing a spot in the Geneva Open semi-finals on Thursday at the Tennis Club de Genève, delivering a compelling performance.

The holder of 24 Grand Slam titles achieved a straight-sets triumph against Matteo Arnaldi, with a score of 6-4, 6-4, despite the difficult, humid conditions.

Djokovic’s recent victory marks a significant turnaround, following his previous defeat by Arnaldi at the Madrid Masters in April. This win reinforces Djokovic’s momentum as he prepares for the forthcoming French Open.

“It feels great to once again reach the semi-finals. My hope is to advance at least one stage further this year—that’s my objective,” Djokovic stated post-match. “I believe my tennis is at a high level. While it was a straight-sets win, the match was more tightly contested than the score might suggest.”

He also shared insights into his mental fortitude and emotional control during the game, noting its importance in achieving peak performance.

“After the incident with my racquet, I managed to find the ideal mental and emotional equilibrium, which allowed me to play my best tennis exactly when it was crucial,” Djokovic added.

The audience showed their appreciation for Djokovic’s birthday by gifting him a cake on the court, adding a celebratory atmosphere to his memorable day.

Notably, Djokovic is now slated to compete against Cameron Norrie in the semi-finals. Norrie progressed after staging an impressive recovery against Australian player Alexei Popyrin, ultimately winning with scores of 7-6 (8-6), 6-4.