He thought he was losing the match

On Friday, Dusan Lajovic achieved the biggest victory of his career against Novak Djokovic, and then he
was on the verge of losing his semi-final match against Miomir Kecmanovic today. However, after an
almost 3-hour match on the Centre Court, he managed to return his focus on the match and scheduled
his duel with Rublev at the same place tomorrow at 2 PM.
“I thought I was losing the match in the second set; he had me on the ropes. They I regained my strength
in a game when he was serving for the match. I was more tired from yesterday’s match against Nole. I
said to myself, just try to fight until the end of the second set, so if you’re out of fuel in the third set, that’s
fine. Then I felt in control. It was an exhausting match. I felt it could go both ways. You cannot really
expect anything in a match like this one. I needed this after yesterday’s match,” visibly content Lajovic
explained.

This year’s finalist of the Srpska Open in Banjaluka has defeated as many as three compatriots –
Krajinovic, Djokovic and Kecmanovic. In the semi-final match, Lajovic and Kecmanovic played some
really long rallies. After a 30-shot rally, Lajovic opted for a drop shot but got unlucky. The point went to the
opponent and the two of them exchanged some significant glances.

"It would have been good if the ball skipped the net. We felt relaxed, the atmosphere was enjoyable and it
was a real pleasure to play”.
He also mentioned Kecmanovic’s comment after the match.
“He said ‘you’ll win everything if you continue like this’”.
Once again the Serbian tennis player discussed mental preparations and their importance.

“I worked with a psychologist more in the past but I’m focused more now on being mentally healthy, to feel
good. These are my priorities. There was always a conflict between tennis and how you feel. Now I made
a switch in that argument and see my mental health as my priority. If I’m mentally strong as much as I
want to be, then I’ll give it my all on the court and that’s the best way to look at it”.