The 12-time grand slam victor reasserted his control and dominance to break for *6-5 before closing out the match to win his fourth Rogers Cup win in Canada.
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A small chuckle circulated the capacity crowd and then Djokovic said he would lead by example, turning to public announcer Ken Crosina and wrapping his arms around the M.C. Fans laughed and followed suit. “That’s it”, said Wawrinka with a smile.
Djokovic admitted he was “not 100 percent” playing at Wimbledon, but may have recovered his full health after showing a masterful display at the Rogers Cup, which the 12-time Grand Slam victor hopes to continue in Rio de Janeiro.
The 29-year-old Serb has seven victories this year and 66 overall, a record 30 in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events such as the Canadian stop.
Djokovic will now look to claiming an Olympic gold medal in Rio, something that has eluded him throughout an illustrious career – although he won Olympic bronze in Beijing 2008. “I’m going to do something I’ve never done before”.
Djokovic finished off victory with 13 winners on his third match point a game later with a service victor. Nishikori completely shanked a return of serve on Djokovic’s third match point, and it was pure elation as sun beamed into the stadium following rain showers earlier in the day. “So I was really feeling the pressure every game”, Nishikori, the world No. 6, said.
“I’m glad I had that weapon today. His serves and returns were great, and I felt pressured”, said Nishikori. Nishikori would convert the break point for a double break. Couple of contested sets did go Djokovic’s way but it wasn’t easy for him, especially against Gilles Muller and Tomas Berdych.
“I don’t play from the emotion of proving to somebody else who I am and what I can do”, he said. “He didn’t give me any free points”. Djokovic’s level dipped, but Nishikori was alert when the opportunity came to get himself back in contention.
Then he hit his next shot into the net.
Despite the poor head-to-head results, Nishikori has come close against Djokovic this year.
However, with third-favored Rafael Nadal questionable and Stan Wawrinka still victory-less against the Top 10 this season, I think Nishikori should be considered more like a solid third favorite behind both Djokovic and Andy Murray.
“I felt great since I arrived in Canada, I felt the love from the crowd”. If he wins the tournament this year, he will make more tennis history becoming the first male singles player to win all nine titles.
Nishikori shanked Djokovic’s ensuing serve, giving the Serbian player his seventh title of the ATP season.
Elena Delle Donne added 19 points for the Americans in the final tuneup for both teams before they head to Rio for the Olympics that begin next weekend. A double fault from Nishikori gave the second seed a 4-2 lead, but he again allowed his opponent to equalise at 4-4. In the fourth game, he had his first chance to break but pushed his backhand wide.
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That meant Nishikori had to finish business the hard way – though not almost hard enough, as he closed the set down 6-1 to reach the final.
