Federer, Djokovic to duel in London finale
Source: Agencies |
November 13, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AS usual, Roger Federer is looking to add to one of his many records. And as many expected, Novak Djokovic will be trying to stop him.
The top two players in the world advanced to the championship match at the ATP finals in London on Sunday, each looking beatable early before turning things around.
Federer, a six-time champion at the season-ending event, advanced by beating US Open champion Andy Murray 7-6(5), 6-2. The top-ranked Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
"I knew that if I lose today it's the end of the season, so I gave everything I had and couldn't be more happy," Federer said on court after the match.
The ATP finals is the last tournament of the season.
"For me, I think for both of us, it's pretty straightforward," said Federer, who is 16-12 against Djokovic. "I think we've got to press out the last juice that's left in our body and make it a successful year end, even though it's been successful for everybody who has been taking part in this tournament."
Top-ranked Djokovic started playing his best tennis as soon as it looked like he was headed for his offseason vacation.
Djokovic was broken late in the first set and again early in the second, but he then found his stroke and quickly rebounded.
"Well, I had a little, let's say, crisis in today's match from 4-all, first set to 2-all in the second, where I didn't feel so good on the court, struggling to find my momentum and my rhythm," Djokovic said. "So you try to be positive and push myself to fight for every point and believe I can come back. That was the case."
Del Potro took the lead late in the first set, breaking Djokovic for a 5-4 lead before serving out the set at love.
Early break
The tall Argentine, who defeated Djokovic to win the Olympic bronze medal at Wimbledon this year, then went up a break early in the second set. But Djokovic broke right back to 2-2 and then took Del Potro's serve again to take a 5-3 lead.
"He's so good," Del Potro said. "Of course, he's the No. 1. In these kinds of matches, they make the difference between them and the rest of the players."
In the third, Djokovic decided things by winning 12 of 13 points in a three-game stretch to take a 3-1 lead. He broke again three games later and held at love to advance.
The victory was Djokovic's 74th of the season, tying him with David Ferrer for the most this year. Djokovic won the ATP finals in 2008, and reached the semifinals in 2009.
Del Potro meanwhile is hoping to turn tennis' Big Four into a quintet in 2013.
"I'm getting closer every day," Del Potro said.
"Maybe that could be my big challenge for next year, my big goal, trying to fight (for all the grand slams) with this group. You know, they are winning all the grand slams - Novak, Federer, Rafa and now Murray. I would like to be part of those names in the grand slams."
The top two players in the world advanced to the championship match at the ATP finals in London on Sunday, each looking beatable early before turning things around.
Federer, a six-time champion at the season-ending event, advanced by beating US Open champion Andy Murray 7-6(5), 6-2. The top-ranked Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
"I knew that if I lose today it's the end of the season, so I gave everything I had and couldn't be more happy," Federer said on court after the match.
The ATP finals is the last tournament of the season.
"For me, I think for both of us, it's pretty straightforward," said Federer, who is 16-12 against Djokovic. "I think we've got to press out the last juice that's left in our body and make it a successful year end, even though it's been successful for everybody who has been taking part in this tournament."
Top-ranked Djokovic started playing his best tennis as soon as it looked like he was headed for his offseason vacation.
Djokovic was broken late in the first set and again early in the second, but he then found his stroke and quickly rebounded.
"Well, I had a little, let's say, crisis in today's match from 4-all, first set to 2-all in the second, where I didn't feel so good on the court, struggling to find my momentum and my rhythm," Djokovic said. "So you try to be positive and push myself to fight for every point and believe I can come back. That was the case."
Del Potro took the lead late in the first set, breaking Djokovic for a 5-4 lead before serving out the set at love.
Early break
The tall Argentine, who defeated Djokovic to win the Olympic bronze medal at Wimbledon this year, then went up a break early in the second set. But Djokovic broke right back to 2-2 and then took Del Potro's serve again to take a 5-3 lead.
"He's so good," Del Potro said. "Of course, he's the No. 1. In these kinds of matches, they make the difference between them and the rest of the players."
In the third, Djokovic decided things by winning 12 of 13 points in a three-game stretch to take a 3-1 lead. He broke again three games later and held at love to advance.
The victory was Djokovic's 74th of the season, tying him with David Ferrer for the most this year. Djokovic won the ATP finals in 2008, and reached the semifinals in 2009.
Del Potro meanwhile is hoping to turn tennis' Big Four into a quintet in 2013.
"I'm getting closer every day," Del Potro said.
"Maybe that could be my big challenge for next year, my big goal, trying to fight (for all the grand slams) with this group. You know, they are winning all the grand slams - Novak, Federer, Rafa and now Murray. I would like to be part of those names in the grand slams."
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