Gulbis credits recent success with change of attitude

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  • Djokovic in his sights: Ernests Gulbis is feeling confident.

    Ernests Gulbis had a realisation a while ago – that in order to be satisfied he must pay his dues rather than coast through life expecting success to come his way.

    It took him a while, but the Latvian now finds himself in the semi-finals at Roland Garros taking on one of the toughest players to ever challenge on clay in the shape of world No2 Novak Djokovic.

    “I found throughout these years what is important for me to be truly happy – my happiness comes only from doing my job well,” he said. “Then I can really live my life to the maximum. 

    “It’s really important for my happiness just to be successful on the tennis court. Forget about the money. Forget about fame. It’s just about my inner comfort.

    “It was definitely a realisation. I just thought everything was going to come too easy for me. I wasn’t really thinking about it and not putting enough effort into it.

    “I thought I was just going to grind in life easy without any effort and be successful."

    The last time Gulbis played Djokovic, he managed only one game against the Serb at Indian Wells three years ago. However, the No18 seed says the past will have no bearing on their match on Friday.

    “I think for me it’s 0-0 with him in matches. The way I’m playing now, I have never played like this. What was in the past I don’t even consider.”

    Djokovic, a runner-up in Paris in 2012, is aware Gulbis – who followed his defeat of Roger Federer in the fourth round with victory over Tomas Berdych – has significantly elevated both his game and his dedication to tennis.

    “He had these few years absent from the high level of tennis. He was going up and down. He wasn’t really committed to working hard," said Djokovic. “But now that’s changing for him. You can see the last 12 months with his results. He has won against Roger (Federer), won against Tomas (Berdych).

    “He has a huge serve that can give him an advantage over the opponent. He’s very aggressive from the baseline. He grew up on clay. So even though he’s a tall guy, he knows how to move, how to anticipate on the court.”

    The second semi-final is a rematch of a last four clash in Paris in 2011 between four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal and No7 seed Andy Murray.

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