Saturday, April 18, 2015

Djokovic into Monte Carlo final after beating Nadal

Djokovic into Monte Carlo final after beating Nadal

Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Monte-Carlo.

Djokovic will be aiming to become the first player to win the opening three Masters 1000 events of the season tomorrow when he faces Tomas Berdych in the final.

"I did have a slower start than he did in the match," admitted Djokovic. "He started very aggressive, playing good, serving well, having a break point for a double break. I played a good point there. I won a very important game not to allow him to have the advantage of 3-0.

"I started to get into the rhythm, started to tactically play the way I intended from the beginning. It was a fight. I think the 3-all game in both sets, they were the decisive moments in the match. I managed to win those in both sets.

"When you get to play somebody who has won so many times, so many matches on clay courts, he's no doubt the best player that ever played the game on this surface, you got to use the opportunities. You have to be able to step in. This is the only way I was going to win against him or any other match that I play against him, especially on this surface, is to be aggressive and play my style of the game. I was aware of that.

"I'm just very pleased with the performance, honestly. Other than the first three games that I was getting into the match, it was a really, really solid performance."

Djokovic started slowly, falling behind an immediate break for an 0-2 deficit in the opening set, but the Belgrade native would reel off six of seven games to clinch the opener in 43 minutes. A high-octane battle from start to finish, Nadal was unable to withstand the World No. 1's baseline onslaught in the second set as Djokovic broke in the seventh and ninth games to seal the victory. He fired a total 23 winners, converting on four of 10 break point chances, improving to an ATP World Tour best 10-1 against the Top 10 this season, defeating eight different opponents.

Nadal was looking to reach his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final since blasting to the title match in Rome 11 months ago (l. to Djokovic). The Spaniard’s loss to nemesis Djokovic here in the 2013 final brought an end to his 81-match winning streak on clay in the month of April and his 46 consecutive wins at this event.

"I think I played well in moments," said Nadal. "I was able to play at the right level for moments to compete against a very, very tough player, the best player of the world like Novak is today. But I got a little tired. Then when you get a little bit tired, you play a little bit shorter. Then it is impossible against him.

"In general, I think I was not that far. For moments I was playing at a very high level. I think he played great. I just congratulate him for the way that he's playing, the way that he's winning almost every match of the year."


Article from ATP
Photo Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
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