Nadal sets up Djokovic final
Source: Agencies |
April 3, 2011, Sunday
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NOVAK Djokovic, unbeaten this year, and world No. 1 Rafael Nadal will meet in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, on Sunday in a mouthwatering re-match of their gripping encounter in Indian Wells two weeks ago.
Djokovic, who won that encounter in three sets, showed his killer instinct again in his semifinal on Friday defeating American Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-1.
Nadal had a tougher test - on paper at least - against old rival Roger Federer but bounced through that match in one hour 15 minutes to win 6-3, 6-2 against a below-par world No. 3.
Djokovic extended his winning run to 25 and ensures today's final of the Masters 1000 event will include two of the world's top three players for the first time.
Nadal, searching for his first win in Miami, was dominant in all areas against Federer and his serve, particularly in the first set, was devastating.
The Spaniard took full advantage of Federer's unusually high number of unforced errors and never looked in danger of losing his grip on the match after breaking in the second game of the second set.
Federer's flop will fuel speculation he's losing ground to the game's best players at age 29, but it's a proposition the Swiss rejects.
"I know that I can do many more things in the game," Federer said. "I'm very excited by what's to come still. I don't feel like I'm 35 like you guys make me sound I am. I'm still only 29, and I have many more years left."
Djokovic, whose win streak dates back to last year, again illustrated his ability to rise to the moment as he responded to the challenge every time Fish found a glimmer of hope, ending the match in one hour 26 minutes.
"I don't feel invincible. I don't feel that I can't lose on the court but what I feel is big confidence," said Djokovic. "What I feel is that I'm playing the best tennis of my life. It is as simple as that."
Play was delayed by rain with the score at 2-2 in the first set with the Serb looking a little slow off the mark but when play resumed he came out and broke at the first opportunity.
Fish was in with a chance at 3-5 down in the first set but missed two break points when he rushed to the net and volleyed wide left on one opportunity and found the net on another.
That marked the turning point in the match, as illustrated by Fish's pained facial expression, and Djokovic, who won the Australian Open this year and at Dubai and Indian Wells, went on to make short work of the second set.
In the women's final, three-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova will seek her first Key Biscayne title when she plays 2009 champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Djokovic, who won that encounter in three sets, showed his killer instinct again in his semifinal on Friday defeating American Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-1.
Nadal had a tougher test - on paper at least - against old rival Roger Federer but bounced through that match in one hour 15 minutes to win 6-3, 6-2 against a below-par world No. 3.
Djokovic extended his winning run to 25 and ensures today's final of the Masters 1000 event will include two of the world's top three players for the first time.
Nadal, searching for his first win in Miami, was dominant in all areas against Federer and his serve, particularly in the first set, was devastating.
The Spaniard took full advantage of Federer's unusually high number of unforced errors and never looked in danger of losing his grip on the match after breaking in the second game of the second set.
Federer's flop will fuel speculation he's losing ground to the game's best players at age 29, but it's a proposition the Swiss rejects.
"I know that I can do many more things in the game," Federer said. "I'm very excited by what's to come still. I don't feel like I'm 35 like you guys make me sound I am. I'm still only 29, and I have many more years left."
Djokovic, whose win streak dates back to last year, again illustrated his ability to rise to the moment as he responded to the challenge every time Fish found a glimmer of hope, ending the match in one hour 26 minutes.
"I don't feel invincible. I don't feel that I can't lose on the court but what I feel is big confidence," said Djokovic. "What I feel is that I'm playing the best tennis of my life. It is as simple as that."
Play was delayed by rain with the score at 2-2 in the first set with the Serb looking a little slow off the mark but when play resumed he came out and broke at the first opportunity.
Fish was in with a chance at 3-5 down in the first set but missed two break points when he rushed to the net and volleyed wide left on one opportunity and found the net on another.
That marked the turning point in the match, as illustrated by Fish's pained facial expression, and Djokovic, who won the Australian Open this year and at Dubai and Indian Wells, went on to make short work of the second set.
In the women's final, three-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova will seek her first Key Biscayne title when she plays 2009 champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
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