Serb star overcomes Arnaldi and volatile form to move within two wins of historic ATP milestone
Novak Djokovic delivered a stormy yet triumphant performance on his 38th birthday, avenging a recent loss to Matteo Arnaldi to secure a semi-final berth at the Geneva Open. The Serb overcame both his opponent and the testing conditions to win 6-4, 6-4 and continue his bid for a 100th ATP singles title.
Presented with a birthday cake and serenaded by the crowd after the win, Djokovic’s smile belied the fire he had shown on court moments earlier. A racquet smash, a clenched fist, and a roar of relief marked a vital victory in what has been a turbulent clay-court season for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Just last month, Arnaldi had shocked Djokovic in Monte Carlo, handing him a third consecutive defeat. But on Thursday, in cold and damp conditions, the world number one was determined to right that wrong.
Djokovic took early control of the match, breaking Arnaldi in the opening stages and comfortably seeing out the first set. But the second brought complications. A flurry of errors and a potential twinge in his surgically repaired knee saw Djokovic fall 4-1 behind, his frustration boiling over as he shattered his racquet.
It proved to be a turning point. Releasing that tension, Djokovic reset mentally and stormed back with five consecutive games, sealing the win in just over an hour and a half. He called it finding his “optimal state” — a return to the controlled aggression that has defined his career.
“After the racquet breaking, I kind of found my optimal state and balance mentally and emotionally to be able to play my best tennis when it was most needed,” he said post-match.
Victory not only handed Djokovic a measure of revenge but also edged him closer to a historic milestone. Should he go on to win the Geneva title, he would join Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only men in the Open era to win 100 ATP singles trophies.
Up next is Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who booked his spot with a gritty comeback win over Alexei Popyrin. Trailing 5-3 in the first set, Norrie rallied superbly to win the tiebreak 8-6 before cruising through the second 6-4. It marks the Briton’s first semi-final of the year and a welcome boost ahead of the French Open.
“It doesn’t get any easier playing Djokovic,” Norrie admitted after his win. “But I’m happy with how I’m playing. I’m enjoying the game again and that’s made a big difference.”
Djokovic’s path to Geneva has not been smooth. Early exits in Madrid, Monte Carlo and Miami raised questions about his form and future. But this win — and his display of emotion — suggest the fire still burns. He last won on clay when clinching Olympic gold in Paris last summer, completing his career ‘Golden Slam.’
Now, with the French Open starting Sunday, this win feels timely. Djokovic’s body may be ageing, but his appetite for greatness endures. The Geneva crowd witnessed both the pressure and passion that define a champion chasing history — and they sang him “Happy Birthday” as a reminder he’s not done yet.
