It has been a roller-coaster ride in some shape or form for just about everyone, and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic is no exception.
His tournament began by withdrawing from doubles due to a neck issue, for which he took a medical timeout during his first singles match against Ricardas Berankis. The 17-time Grand Slam champion proceeded to beat Tennys Sandgren and Jan-Lennard Struff without any fuss, but thereafter it got tricky again. Facing Roberto Bautista Agut in the semifinals on Friday, Djokovic took another medical timeout for the neck problem, also dealt with an apparent stomach issue, and broke back with the Spaniard serving at 6-5 in the third before prevailing 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(0) after exactly three hours.
“(It was a) very strange match, I must say,” the 33-year-old commented. “I don’t know how I won it, to be honest. He was the better player. I just didn’t feel good on the court at all in any aspect of my game and the body, but somehow I managed to pull this one through.”
Djokovic’s reward is a championship match on Saturday against Milos Raonic, who has lost all 10 of their previous encounters. They most recently faced each other at this year’s Australian Open, where Djokovic cruised 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(1) in the quarterfinals.
Raonic has been awesome this week, taking out Sam Querrey, Dan Evans, Andy Murray, Filip Krajinovic, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Nobody other than Krajinovic has earned a set or even broke serve a single time.
“I’m playing well,” the 29-year-old Canadian assured. “I think I’m moving much better than I definitely have in recent years. Maybe it’s been a long time, and I think that’s putting me in better position so I’m able to be more effective and more aggressive earlier. I’m able to play more on my terms and quicker on in the points.”
Raonic struggles to play on his terms against Djokovic, because even his booming serve is not as good as Djokovic’s return.
Obviously this all comes down to the top seed’s healthy. If Djokovic is 100 percent, however, he has to like his chances based his past successes against Raonic and because (according to Raonic, himself) the Louis Armstrong court surface is playing slower than the outer courts on which everyone had been playing prior to the semis.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
[crowdsignal poll=10600717]
Milos Raonic doesn’t stand a chance. Djokovic in straight … https://www.138mph.com/novak-djokovic-cannot-be-denied-the-western-southern-open-crown/
If Raonic wins the first set, Djoker will probably request medical time outs again.
That didn’t happen 😉
I watched Djokovic crush Raonic in that AO QF earlier this year (feels like a lifetime ago). Raonic sent down a lot of bombs, but they were mostly neutralized without much fuss. He looks to have improved his game over the covid break, but even with improved consistency and big hitting I feel like Djokovic can expose his movement again.
Joker was tough as nails yesterday….esp in that 3rd set, but somehow I feel like the “new” Milos will win this match…in straight.
I really don’t know if it’s worth winning the Cincinnati at the (possible) extent to risk one’s chances at the USO. I mean, this is a great Master, I love it, but does it really increase Djoko’s chances at USO with winning here? By the way he looks it doesn’t. More rest would benefit for sure.
I think Raonic can take this based on how irritated Djoko looked yesterday. I would be only glad to see the Canadian move better than usual, but I’ll not hope for anything.
Imagine Djoko ending this year invincible. It’s still far from that, but he escaped Monfils and now RBA which was impressive. This could be his absolute year.
Let’s go Rao. I don’t believe he’s back until he takes at least a set vs Novak.
The schedule this year is “barbarous”, to quote Rafa. Glad he stayed away. Covid 19 has flared up again in France so who knows what’s going to happen? Now Djokovic, aided and abetted by Pospisil and Isner is trying to start either a union or a secession, who knows? Wimbledon has summoned up an aloof scowl on behalf of the many existing tennis governing bodies (you should pardon the expression – tennis actually HAS no true governing bodies) and currently not that much in the way of income producing bodies.
Ramara the French Open getting cancelled would be super disappointing, I really hope that doesn’t happen.
I hope so too, but the current Covid numbers in France are alarming. Well, it’s several weeks off still. Things could improve. I guess.
Congrats on the golden masters #2.. and he is two tourneys aways from golden masters #3.. the next best are two tournaments away from golden masters #1😳😳.. is he really planning to beat his 2011 win streak