19. 04. 2009. ·
Third-seeded Novak Djokovic lost to world no.1 Rafael Nadal in three sets, 3-6 6-2 1-6 in 2 hours and 43 minutes in the finals of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tournament on Sunday.
It was a high quality match with great rallies and points. Novak was broken in the opening game of the match, but he broke back immediately and then held for 2-1. He increased his lead to 3-1 in the next game, breaking Nadal’s service for the second time. The Serb then lost his momentum. The Spaniard won five games in a row with three breaks and took the set 6-3. The crucial game was probably the seventh game that lasted more than 10 minutes. Nole saved three break points and had a game point for 4-3, but Rafa earned himself another chance and converted it to gain the advantage.
The 21-year old was brilliant in the second set. He broke Nadal’s service twice, in the first and the fifth game, and won the set 6-2.
Another long game (13 minutes) was seen at the beginning of the third set. Novak earned three break points, but failed to capitalise on them. World number three lost his concentration in the second game. Two double faults prevented him from taking the game. Nadal put the pressure and broke his service to go 2-0 up. Djokovic managed to break back, but he faced two break points in the fourth game. The Spaniard converted the second and then held to increase his lead to 4-1. World no.1 won both games til the end and closed the set 6-1 to capture his fifth straight Monte Carlo title.
”He’s stronger than me, but I felt well throughout the match. It certainly gives me a lot of confidence playing against him,” Djokovic said. “Hopefully I can have another chance this season.”
Djokovic served 4 aces to Nadal’s 2.
Nole hit 27 winners to Rafa’s 26, and made 47 unforced errors to his opponent’s 24.
The Serb converted 5 of his 11 break points, while the Spaniard capitalised on 7 of his 14 chances for break.
This was their 16th match, Rafa now leads 12-4.
Today was Nole’s 20th ATP World Tour level final (12-8) and his 8th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final (4-4).
The best Serbian tennis player will have a week off, and then he goes to Rome where he’ll try to defend the World Tour Masters 1000 title he won last year at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (defeated Stanislas Wawrinka in the finals 4-6 6-3 6-3).
