Novak Djokovic is one set from completing a historic second Career Golden Masters, rallying to force a deciding set against Milos Raonic in the Western & Southern Open final. After a slow start, the Serbian has levelled at 1-6, 6-3.
Djokovic, who holds a perfect 22-0 record in 2020, is the only player in history to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. If he completes his comeback against Raonic, the 33-year-old will incredibly achieve the feat for the second time. He can also tie Rafael Nadal's record for most Masters 1000 trophies with 35.
[WATCH LIVE 1]
Djokovic leads the pair's ATP Head2Head series 10-0, with eight of his victories coming in straight sets. The widest margin Raonic had previously won a set by in their rivalry was 6-4 at the 2018 Western & Southern Open, where the Serbian completed his first Career Golden Masters.
On Friday, Djokovic needed three hours and one minute to battle past eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut. In the important moments, he went into "lockdown mode", playing exceptional tennis. But the World No. 1 found little rhythm early in the championship match, missing a backhand down the line into the net in the fourth game to give the World No. 30 the early break.
Raonic came out firing, playing aggressively with his forehand and pressuring the top seed with his booming serve. Djokovic double faulted at 1-4 to give Raonic a double-break, and the Canadian closed out the set without facing a break point.
But like he did against Bautista Agut, Djokovic dug into Louis Armstrong Stadium and began to find his stride. As the favourite put more returns into play and started to neutralise the 6'5" right-hander's serve, Raonic began to misfire from the baseline. He was also made to run more rather than exclusively dictate.
Raonic is trying to become the first Canadian ATP Masters 1000 champion, while Djokovic can move to 23-0 this year.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/34Lbq3C
No comments:
Post a Comment