Novak Djokovic speaks of 'tension on the court' in win over Matteo Arnaldi at Geneva Open, sets sights on title

Novak Djokovic booked his place in the semi-finals of the Geneva Open with a hard-fought 6-4 6-4 victory over Italy's Matteo Arnaldi. The former world No. 1 had to dig deep to secure the victory, battling back from 4-1 down in the second set to ensure he reached the semi-finals for the second year running. After the match, he expressed his desire to go a step further in the competition this year.

Novak Djokovic set his sights on reaching the final of the Geneva Open after defeating Matteo Arnaldi 6-4 6-4 to book his place in the semi-finals.

The former world No. 1 cruised through the opening set but had to battle back from 4-1 down in the second to claim a straight-sets victory.

Djokovic will now play Cameron Norrie in the next round of the competition.

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The 38-year-old admitted he was eager to go one step further in the tournament after reaching the semi-finals last year.

"It is great to be in the semi-finals again," Djokovic said. "Last year I played in the semi-finals and hopefully, this year, I can go at least a step further.

"That is the goal. I think I am playing really good tennis."

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Djokovic, who beat Marton Fucsovics in the round of 16, was pleased with how he dug himself out of a hole in the second set.

"Today I thought there was a lot of tension on the court," he said. "It was a straight-sets win, but it was much closer than maybe the score indicates.

"Yeah, I was 4-1 down in the second and somehow, after that break, I did not lose the set.

"I found my optimal balance and state mentally and emotionally to play my best tennis when it was needed, so hopefully, I can carry that into tomorrow."

Arnaldi and Djokovic held serve in the first two games of the match, but the Serbian broke his opponent in the third to take a 2-1 lead.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner maintained his composure to hold serve, meaning one break was enough to see him take the opening set.

Arnaldi could have let the contest get away from him after a tough start to the match, but the world No. 39 made a physical start to the second set.

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He capitalised on the impressive performance, breaking Djokovic in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead before holding serve to extend his advantage.

At that point, Djokovic appeared to feel something in his right knee, but it did not stop him from breaking back to make it 4-3.

He followed that up by holding serve before breaking his opponent again to take a 5-4 lead.

Djokovic completed his comeback and ensured a straight-sets victory with a controlled performance in the 10th game of the second set.

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Norrie sets up Djokovic clash

Norrie defeated Alexei Popyrin 7-6(6) 6-4 to set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with Djokovic.

Briths player Norrie edged an exhausting opening set after a closely fought tie-break before sealing the win with a convincing performance in the second.

Norrie appeared to be in trouble right out of the gate as his opponent took a 40-15 lead in the opening game, but the Brit showed heart to battle back to hold serve.

Popyrin was able to break his opponent in the third game before holding serve to take a 3-1 lead.

However, Norrie turned the tide, holding serve before breaking back to level the opening set at 5-5.

Popyrin forced the tie-break, but Norrie came out on top after over an hour of action to claim the opening set.

The pair traded the first four games of the second set, but Norrie produced the break in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead.

He then held serve through the remainder of the second set to wrap up the win.

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