NOVAK DJOKOVIC STEAMROLLS PAST NISHIKORI TO SET UP BATTLE FOR NO. 1 WITH ANDY MURRAY IN ATP WORLD TENNIS TOUR FINALS CHAMPIONSHIP

Written by: on 19th November 2016
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NOVAK DJOKOVIC STEAMROLLS PAST NISHIKORI TO SET UP BATTLE FOR NO. 1 WITH ANDY MURRAY IN ATP WORLD TENNIS TOUR FINALS CHAMPIONSHIP

Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action against Japan's Kei Nishikori during their Men's singles semi final match at the ATP World Tour finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 19 November 2016. EPA/WILL OLIVER  |

By Ricky Dimon

 

The playing field may not be as even as the British public would like, but the fans will all get what they wanted to see at the O2 Arena on Sunday: a showdown between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title and the year-end No. 1 ranking.

 

To say Murray and Djokovic took contrasting roads to the championship match would be a significant understatement. After winning one of his round-robin tilts 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-4 over Kei Nishikori in three hours and 20 minutes on Wednesday, the world No. 1 outlasted Milos Raonic 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(9) in the opening semi on Saturday afternoon. He needed an almost hard-to-believe three hours and 38 minutes, while fighting off one match point, to advance.

 

Whereas Murray has played the two longest World Tour Finals matches since this tournament moved to London in 2009, Djokovic has cruised since dropping his first set of the week to Dominic Thiem. The four-time defending champion was especially dominant on Saturday night, when he clobbered Nishikori 6-1, 6-1. Djokovic broke serve an amazing six times and seven service games to get the job done after only one hour and six minutes.

 

“(It was) the best performance of the tournament (and it) came really at the right time,” the Serb assured. “Everything kind of clicked together tonight. I felt really [good]. I started with a great pace, great concentration, dictating the play, (and) mixing up the pace. Everything was going well. I must be very pleased. I enjoyed myself.

 

“On the other hand, Kei was not obviously close to his best. The fact that he played late last night, it’s been a long year for him, long tournament, so he was probably a little bit tired.”

 

Nishikori was broken at 0-1 of the first set in what actually proved to be one of his most successful service games–four deuces. It went downhill from there for the fifth-ranked Japanese, who fell behind 4-0 before earning a rare break of the Djokovic serve.

 

Although Nishikori seemed destined for a second-set bagel while serving at 0-4, 0-30, he won four consecutive points to finally get back on the scoreboard. The underdog had two game points to avoid a breadstick at 1-5, but he could not prolong his own agony and Djokovic converted his first match point with an inside-out forehand winner.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori in action against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their Men’s singles semi final match at the ATP World Tour finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 19 November 2016. EPA/WILL OLIVER

 

Djokovic has now taken his last five World Tour Finals sets against Nishikori 6-0, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, and 6-1.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

 

Editors Note: What amazing tennis. But no doubt Andy had a tougher section and Novak breezed thru. Andy played over 3 hours again today. Don’t know what’s left in his tank much past fumes and heart.

We would prefer a real ROUND ROBIN where everyone plays everyone. Now that’s truly the fairest.

We hope this event Never leaves the 02 arena unless you outgrow it. What a fabulous venue. Event. So spectator friendly. Reasonably priced tickets. Good value for the money. It’s all fantastic. I Especially love the river rides. Always loved the Thames. Always love London. Thank you Chris Kermode.

 

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