After a quick 32-minute first set, Djokovic overcame a break point by Nishikori with two breaks of his own in the second set to clinch the title, 1000 ATP points and the 782,525 United States dollar prize.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for photos with his champion trophy during the awarding ceremony of the men’s singles final at the 2016 Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada, July 31, 2016.
The win brings his record-breaking Masters 1000-level win total to 30 for his career, two more than second-place Rafael Nadal and six more than third-place Roger Federer, neither of which took part in this year’s tournament.
They each endured a nightmare Wimbledon campaign – Djokovic’s hopes of a calendar Grand Slam vanished after a shock third-round exit against Sam Querrey, while Nishikori was haunted by injury and forced to withdraw.
“After Grand Slams, these are the biggest events we have in sport of tennis”, he said.
“I’m very pleased with how I played”.
“Coming into this tournament I wanted to get as many matches as possible”, a satisfied Djokovic said after his victory. “And then suddenly, I think, he didn’t miss”.
Nishikori told the ATP Tour’s website afterwards: “He was hitting very good serves and was very aggressive until the 5-3 game”.
Djokovic won the first set on a wild exchange with both players making desperate stabs at the ball that arched high and barely stayed in.
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It’s pick your poison when it comes to facing Novak Djokovic. “He’s been around. He’s an established top-five, top-10 player”.
TORONTO (AP) – Top-ranked Novak Djokovic beat 10th-seeded Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday night to reach the Rogers Cup final and improve to 12-0 against the Frenchman. He was going for his shot and being much better in the rallies – not even solid, but super solid.
Djokovic’s dominance continued, with him establishing a sizable lead in the second set again based on his mastery of returns.
Nishikori, the world’s sixth-ranked player, entered with a chance to halt a two-year losing streak against Djokovic.
The Japanese player recorded his fourth straight Memphis title in February for his 11th ATP Tour victory, but he can not seem to solve the world’s top player and has now lost nine straight times to Djokovic.
“I raised the level of my game as the tournament progressed and today was the best performance of the tournament at the right time so hopefully I can carry this win and this confidence into Rio as well”.
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Djokovic restrained himself from smashing his racket on the ground after his shot went deep to give Nishikori a 40-30 advantage in the next game, but he earned the point right back on the next play. He’ll respect the same routine and preparation that served him so well at the Rogers Cup and in many other tournaments.
