As the big four line up we saw Novak finally tested – he almost seemed down and out in the second set facing the brutal test of a never say die Ferrer. As the commentators observed during the match, not that long ago, faced with a niggling problem and that kind of opponent, he would have easily been distracted – there’ve been a few times we’ve seen Novak pitch up at a press conference after a match and blame an injury.
Today, like a true champion, he dug in and found that little bit extra at the key moment – from under threat in the second set tie break he never looked back, running away with the third.
Friday’s going to be an interesting day – will Andy be able to step up – and step in?