Novak Djokovic ran out of gas in the Paris Masters final earlier this month, but a week off and a return to the O2 Arena in London were just what the doctor ordered for the world No. 1.
Djokovic was back to his dominant self with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over John Isner during round-robin action at the Nitto ATP Finals on Monday night. The Serb solved the Isner serve and struck 21 winners compared to just six unforced errors while prevailing in hour and 13 minutes.
After putting pressure on the 6’10” American right from the start but missing break chances in each of his first two return games, Djokovic took control of the match with a backhand pass on break point at 2-2. London’s top seed had no trouble serving it out from there, as he lost a mere four service points in the entire opening set.
Isner held en route to 3-3 in the second, but additional breaks for Djokovic in the seventh and ninth games wrapped things up in swift style.
“I just prepared myself well for the match and executed everything really, really well,” the 14-time major champion commented.
“He is No. 1 and No. 2 and No. 3,” Isner said when asked to rank Djokovic among the best returners he has ever faced. “He’s the best returner I’ve ever faced, for sure…. From the first point of the whole match he connected pretty well on return. To be honest, I’m not surprised.
“Sometimes you got to hope he’s a bit off. Unfortunately, I don’t think that was the case tonight. I got my ass kicked; that was pretty comprehensive out there. I was the underdog tonight and got beat down pretty good.”
Day 2’s opening match between Alexander Zverev and Marin Cilic was a more competitive contest, even though it also ended in straight sets with Zverev getting the job done 7-6(5), 7-6(1). Cilic led by a break in each set, including 3-0 in the first before having multiple break points to go up by a double-break. The seventh-ranked Croat also served for the opener but double-faulted on break point at 5-3 and then ultimately dropped it in a tiebreaker.
Zverev also battled back from an early deficit to force another ‘breaker in the second–this one which he took while surrendering only one point.
“I think [the first set] could have gone both ways,” Cilic reflected. “Generally I felt that I was playing well, just I was not capitalizing on my chances. (In the) second set, as well, a break up and lost again my serve. So it was just a bit up-and-down through the match. And in these kind of matches, if you don’t take your chances that is unfortunately the way it goes.”
“The court is difficult,” Zverev noted. “The court is very fast and it’s very high-bouncing, as well. So everybody has to kind of find their rhythm in the first match. But at the end of the day, it was a pretty good match in the end. I’m happy to get the win; that’s the most important thing.”
The 21-year-old’s reward is a Tuesday showdown with Djokovic, while Cilic will go up against Isner.
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too good, Djoker
Congrats to Novak! Not sure who can beat him. That being said, I’m an Isner fan and just thrilled he’s playing. And one of the reasons I like him is he just lays out the facts. He got his ‘ass beat today’ by a better player. it wasn’t the weather, he stubbed his toe, or the court was too fast/slow etc. So, he’s not out of it and will work harder to win on Wed.
he actually played pretty well
“Cilic snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.” Djokovic’s win was expected … http://www.138mph.com/tennis-zverev-djokovic-isner-cilic-atp-finals-london-2018/
Djoko’s return game surely is very close to 2015 levels again. The way he was able to return Isner bombs with such precision and making incredible winners was just insane. Unless something tremendously unexpected happens,Djoko’s gonna win the trophy without much trouble.
Strange right, when he had problems returning Khachanov’s, or Cilic’s serves at Paris Masters, and Tsitsipas’ at Toronto? Perhaps it’s the court surface that helps his ROS, or Isner’s serves being too predictable? Isner isn’t as quick as the other three too. Let’s see his match vs Sasha and then Cilic again.
Well,according to the CPI data,the court has been slowed down this year in London,going from last year 42 to around 35. Zverev said that the ball is bouncing higher than in Paris,which for sure helps Djoko.
Cilic just choked big time against Zverev,when he was up a beak in both sets,he found a way to lose in straights. Zverev’s current level of play is mediocre,he’s not beating Djoko on a slow HC right now.
Yeah,Isner refused to rally from the baseline and sometimes he was too predictable on the serve,but still Djoko made some glorious catches out there. And we can’t forget that Djoko apparently had some kind of flu in Paris.
It’s the court surface, don’t forget they quickened the court at Paris this year, but Fed couldn’t capitalise on it even though he’s very close to getting a win over Djoko. Don’t forget too that Djoko struggled at Cincy to beat his opponents, going the distance so often, and he wasn’t having flu there! The slower court at London will suit Djoko better.
Fed’s level has fallen of a cliff after IW,the only tournament he really played at a good level after that was Stuttgart. The fact that he had only 2 wins against top 10 opposition prior to London speaks by itself. Of course the Fedovic match in Paris was very close,still Fed looks like he lost a step,especially moving to the FH which is a explorable weakness right now. A 100% Djoko would have broken Fed in the first set,with that many chances to break he disposed.
Of course that Novak can struggle in fast HC like Cincy,it happened in the past and it will keep that way.
Gonna be interesting to see how the increase of speed at the AO will affect Djoko’s game there and if he will be more vulnerable to an upset.