I knew it was going to be an uphill battle against Andy today. I saw the stats.
Advertisement
Nishikori said he was very disappointed with his loss. “He made quite a few mistakes and I served well today and made it easy for myself”. The Scot saved three break points prior to breaking Djokovic for a 3-2 lead in the second set.
The Spaniard stressed that he has gained so much from his latest showdown with arguably his fiercest rival, adding things could have swung to his favor had he converted several opportunities in the match.
“A message to all the kids out there: Don’t hit your own ankle when you’re cleaning your shoes”, he said after the match.
It is hard to argue against Murray being the man in form as he has gone from the semi-finals of Monte Carlo to the final of Madrid to champion status at one of the game’s great historic tournaments.
The Argentinian chair umpire, Damian Steiner, would not budge, when, with Murray two games from victory, Djokovic gave vent to his frustrations on the changeover, begging Steiner to suspend play to clean up a court that had been steadily drizzled on.
The Serbian got the break in the second game, only for Nishikori to level at 4-4.
As reported by AFP, Murray took strength from looking at a picture of his daughter Sophia on this, his 29 birthday, before taking to the court, and playing a controlled and focussed match.
“That’s why in matches like (Saturday), Lucas had no opportunities on my serve”.
Murray, who hasn’t dropped a set this week, will just return to number two in the rankings, passing Pouille at net after the two players trade dropshots, making the lead with 30-0, claiming the first set with 6-2.
“It will be wonderful”, Serena said.
Andy Murray at Italian Open 2016.
Meanwhile Serena Williams had to overcome a stubborn effort from Madison Keys to win the first all-American women’s tour final for four years in straight sets. Though at his press conference, he did say that an injury would’ve left either player “absolutely gutted and unhappy”. Had he lost yet again “he knows the questions about the Serb’s dominance over him would have invaded every conversation between now and Roland Garros, where he lost a tight semi-final against the world number one last year”.
Williams goes for her 70th career title.
Wawrinka, beaten by Juan Monaco in the third round, is set to play in Geneva this week as he struggles for match-winning confidence ahead of the defence of his title in Paris.
Advertisement
The 34-year-old Williams has won three titles in the Italian capital, in 2002, 2013 and 2014.
