I don’t really care about it. The only thing that is true is Novak is playing at a better level than the rest of the players now.
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Considering Nadal lost in the first round of the Australian Open and failed to reach the finals of two tournaments on clay, a surface in which Nadal was almost unbeatable for 10 years through 2014, he showed very little evidence that he was capable of bouncing back from a subpar 2015 by his standards and returning to his place among tennis’ elite of Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
“To win this tournament five times is a fantastic achievement for my team and I”, A satisfied Djokovic said after the final. Midway through the second I broke his serve, and last three games I played very well. Before that (because of injuries), I was not able to play against him during nearly the whole season.
Djokovic blasted two aces, 18 winners and had four double faults in the two hour, six minute match on Friday.
In the very next game, Nadal gladly applied the pressure right back, earning a set point at 30-40, but Djokovic fought it off before holding for 5-5.
“Tomorrow is another opportunity for me to play against another top player”. “I think that’s one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more”.
This was shaping up to be a vintage performance from Djokovic, who was having great success with his backhand in the first set.
Nadal made one last stand on his serve, fighting back from a triple match point with a big forehand in the corner to get to deuce.
Oh, the place filled up fairly quickly, including luminaries such as Bill Gates, during the course of Milos Raonic’s 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over Belgium’s David Goffin.
Goffin, who gave up 6 inches to Raonic, had won three straight three-set matches coming into the semis.
“If Milos (serves) well, he can win against everybody”. Punters can consider taking the 13-8 that the Canadian, now coached by Carlos Moya, wins a set but the 11-4 that the Tennis Garden final is a three-setter may be better value.
After a powerful first set and tiebreak, the second set got off to an even more intense start, filled with long games and ridiculous shot-making.
“I’m not going to change much in terms of preparation for the event”.
Djokovic dominated in both sets against Raonic on Sunday, beating him in just an hour and 17 minutes, as the 25-year-old Canadian was not landing the serves he had earlier in the tournament.
The Nadal-Nishikori match kicked off a star-studded pair of Indian Wells quarter-finals on Friday featuring four of the world’s top 10 players.
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“Definitely have been playing higher level this year, but I think also when I have had those hard moments or let’s say some kind of crisis throughout matches, I have found solutions better”, Raonic said.
