Novak Djokovic will play Kei Nishikori in the Rogers Cup final, live on Sky Sports on Sunday.
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Djokovic lifted his game in Canada as the week progressed, sweeping to the title without the loss of a set and dispatching challenges from Gael Monfils in the semis followed by Japan’s Nishikori.
The 29-year-old Serb seized the opening set against Nishikori in just over 30 minutes, and then dug deep during a spirited back and forth in the final stages of the hardcourt match.
Nishikori looked out of ideas as Djokovic raced to 40-0 against serve at 1-1 in the second set and converted his second break point thanks to another miscue from across the net.
The Serbian, who exited Wimbledon early this year, was in good touch against his French opponent in the previous round and is right in contention for a 66th career title. Djokovic was able to get the break again to take a 6-5 advantage and serve for the championship. His biggest skill, – – the mental strength and the ability to win matches when he is not playing his best tennis – helped him to reach his fifth Masters 1000 final of the season.
It’s pick your poison when it comes to facing Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic, a 12-time grand slam champion, will now turn his focus to the Rio Olympics, a tournament he has yet to conquer.
“I don’t need to explain that every athlete dreams of being a part of the Olympic Games”, he said.
In the first set, Djokovic could only nod in appreciation as one of Nishikori’s rare aces sailed by him on game point to make it 2-2.
Djokovic leads 9-2 beating Nishikori eight straight times, including in the last three Masters events. Although Nishikori has won both of his meetings with Monfils, most players on the ATP Tour consider the Frenchman as tennis’s most risky opponent.
Instead, Djokovic made easy work of Monfils and would not be denied by Nishikori, whom he has now defeated in ninth consecutive meetings. He subsequently lost five of the next six to give the set to Djokovic. He was going for his shot and being much better in the rallies – not even solid, but super solid. Both do well of the groundstrokes – two of the best two-handers in the sport – but the player who wins more off their serves will win the match.
However, the Japanese’s radar was off crucially in game 11, Djokovic once again doggedly keeping the contest alive to prompt a wide Nishikori backhand.
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