“I didn’t”, Wawrinka said. “I did feel that it was just the right moment for me to ask”.
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The world No. 6 had his back against the wall in the first set but came through to win 7-6 (6), 6-1 in 89 minutes to move within one win of his first Masters title. I shouldn’t let it go.
Nishikori, serving at 40-0, sealed victory on the first of his three match points when an overhead smash prompted an unforced error from his opponent, ending an encounter that lasted just under an hour-and-a-half.
“I had to realise my level”, Djokovic said. I think I did it pretty well, and she missed shots.
With his third championship point, Djokovic hit a serve that Nishikori couldn’t handle, sending his return well off the court and giving the world No. 1 the win. After the break point Nishikori bent over, clenching his fist in celebration.
Midway through the second set on Saturday, Wawrinka botched a sure-fire high backhand from at the net as Nishikori stood still on his side of the court, having conceded the point.
He’s already lost one such final to Djokovic this season and that’s when we were on him outright in Miami and he’s also lost to the Serb in Rome, Madrid and Melbourne this season.
While star players like Nadal, Murray and Federer all withdrew from this year’s Rogers Cup, Djokovic chose to play. Djokovic was able to respond leveling twice at 4-4 and 5-5 before winning Nishikori’s final service game. Djokovic calmly regains the advantage by winning three straight games over Nishikori.
Wawrinka served for set one at *5-3 and had set points to win it 7-5 and in the ensuing tie break, but as we’ve seen many times from Wawrinka in non-Grand Slam events he capitulated feebly when things didn’t go his way. He was going for his shot and being much better in the rallies – not even solid, but super solid. I was not getting numerous free points (as I did today).
I think I picked up a little bit more first serve and was able to play better from the baseline myself. “I love playing in Masters tournaments throughout my career”. Djokovic’s serve has developed immensely over his career, while Nishikori’s serve tends to get exposed when he comes up against the best players in the world.
The odds are not in Nishikori’s favor though, as he holds a 2-9 record all-time against the Serbian, including an eight-game winless streak dating back to 2014. Nadal and Murray made a decision to use this week to train for the Rio Olympics, but Djokovic heads to Rio fresh off a title.
TORONTO-Trailing by a game in the second set of his Rogers Cup semifinal, Gael Monfils walked to his courtside chair and unsheathed a shiny new black Wilson racquet from its plastic wrapping.
Ever since suffering a disappointing defeat in the hands of American Sam Querrey in Church Road, there were questions about Djokovic’s chances to remain in contention for a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games and another Grand Slam singles title at the US Open later this month.
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Halep won a sloppy first set in 43 minutes despite hitting just one victor.
