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Novak Djokovic has won 23 of his last 25 singles matches, finding the form in Rome and keeping it for five months. Novak is seeking his 90th ATP title in Astana, and it's so far so good for him after the second round. Djokovic took down Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and 11 minutes to sail into the last eight.
Novak won 22 points more than his opponent and dominated with his first serve. The Serb defended both break points and kept the pressure on the other side. Van de Zandschulp was far from that pace, dropping half of the points in his games and losing serve four times from five chances offered to Djokovic.
Novak fired 23 winners and ten unforced errors and controlled the shortest and more advanced exchanges to preserve energy for the upcoming duels. The 21-time Major winner landed an ace in the encounter's opening game to get his name to the scoreboard.
Novak Djokovic defeated Botic van de Zandschulp in 71 minutes.
Djokovic closed the third game with a forehand drive-volley winner, and van de Zandschulp responded with a hold at love in the next one for 2-2. The Dutchman fired a backhand winner to reach deuce on the return in game five before the Serb took the following two points for another advantage.
Novak had a minor treatment on his right hand during the break and pushed hard on the return in the next one. Botic hit a double fault to lose serve and send world no. 7 4-2 in front. Van de Zandschulp placed a volley winner at the net to earn a break point in game seven, and Djokovic saved it to remain in front.
The Serb closed the game and wrapped up the opener with a hold at love following a forehand drive-volley winner at 5-3. Botic kicked off the second set with a comfortable service game, but it was all we saw from him in this one.
Novak leveled the score at 1-1 with an ace and broke his opponent in the next one for a crucial advantage. With everything working his way, Djokovic grabbed another break in game five after van de Zandschulp's poor drop shot that sent him further in front.
Novak saved a break point at 4-1 with a smash winner and brought it home with an ace for 5-1. Djokovic sealed the deal with a forehand down the line winner in game seven, delivering his third break in a row and marching into the quarter-final.