Novak Djokovic suffered an extremely rare pre-final exit in Monte-Carlo, where he lost his opening match to Jiri Vesely. The Serb is one round away from getting back to a final in Madrid, with Kei Nishikori standing in his way on Saturday.
Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori will be squaring off for the 10th time in their careers when they battle for a place in the Mutua Madrid Open title match on Saturday night.
Djokovic is leading the head-to-head series 7-2, including 2-0 on clay. The Serb once trailed 2-1, but he has since reeled off six victories in a row at Nishikori’s expense. Djokovic has won eight consecutive sets dating back to the decider of their 2015 Rome encounter, and none of those eight sets has been more competitive than 6-2. They most recently faced each other earlier this spring in the Miami final, with Djokovic cruising 6-3, 6-3.
Nishikori should at least have some hope heading into this semifinal contest, even though he has not taken down the world No. 1 since the 2014 U.S. Open semis. The sixth seed finished runner-up two years ago in Madrid and was rolling over Nadal before being forced to retire due to a back injury. So far this week Nishikori has defeated Fabio Fognini, Richard Gasquet, and Nick Kyrgios. Fognini actually served for the match in their second-round showdown, but Nishikori has since raised his level dramatically and he won an extremely high-quality three-setter against Kyrgios on Friday.
“I thought it was a great match,” Nishikori commented. “I think he served really well. Even though I had many opportunities in the first and second sets, many break points, I couldn’t convert. If I could [have played] better on those important points, maybe I could [have finished the match in] two sets…. It was a really tough match, so I am very happy to win.”
Djokovic has rebounded from a stunning Monte-Carlo loss to Jiri Vesely with Madrid wins over Borna Coric, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Milos Raonic. No opponent has managed to break the top seed or take more than four games in any set. Raonic served at a decent 68 percent in the quarterfinals and still had no real hope of making the contest especially competitive. Djokovic is now 31-2 for his 2016 campaign and in search of title No. 5.
There is no reason to think this will be anything other than one-way traffic. Not only has Djokovic been positively dominant in their recent meetings, but he will also be well-rested whereas Nishikori is coming off a two-hour and 38-minute battle against Kyrgios.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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who you got?
Wow nishikori in 3 is leading the poll. Just imagining… Nahhh
Djoker in three
Both are playing well, I think Kei will take a set, but Novak will win.
I looked ta the odds they are giving Nishikori and they are bad, like Novak was playing somebody ranked 50 or higher. I think the odds are wrong, but then again i’m not a bookie!
I think Djoko in 2 ….probably he will win madrir ….I wish if someone else win.
Novak in 2 easy sets over tired and mentaly exhausted Japanese…still so sad Nick lost as he could have made this one interesting at least…
Novak in two pretty straight forward sets. Just the way he returned the raonic serve with such ease amazes me
It was nice. According to Raonic, he has the best serve ever. Novak has owned him! 54% 2nd serve winners against everyone bur Novak. There he rates 34%. Today he was at 17%. Not a Raonic fan, can you tell?
Djoker beat Kei six times in a row since 2014. He’s so good, but can you believe that he can beat a player like Kei seven times in a row? It is time for Kei to win. Kei in 3.
Nishikori ON FIRE
Insane serving from Novsk…6 aggressive first serves in a row
Kei dominating baseline rallies…Novak’s serve has kept him on level terms.
Kei’s brand of tennis really hurts Novak…the Japanese lacks consistency and if he can take care of that, this will be really good.
There we go, two loose shots in a row but fortunately it is still 40-30
Kei keeping a good balance today..not overdoing with his shots…
I’m cheering for Kei — it’s Madrid, not FO 😀 Would love Kei to make the final. Kei striking the ball nicely so far, not too nervous… and good court position – aggressive. Guess I’ll be happy if Kei doesn’t lose like at WTF or at least can win more games than in Miami and AO.
Nole looking awfully good.
And yet now nole routinely serving for the first set.
Shoot! My hope for Kei was short-lived. Was hoping Madrid might hold a little advantage for Kei than in other places. He was so good here in 2014.
Nishikori is unravelling. Not even making a match of it.
I had to go out..what happened?! It was going pretty well in the beginning til 2-2 …lol
The usual, vr. It’s a miracle when Kei can hold serve. Serve weapon is needed. That’s why I was hoping Kyrgios would beat Kei. I’ve enough Kei v Nole for the year.
Muzzole even worse.
perhaps you are right…the serve is such a big diff between these two..Novak scored so many free points on serve…. in the opening game it was 0-40 , Kei was dominating and Novak hit unplayable serves to win the game.
It’s good to see Kei put up this kind of fight anyway. Nole having to work hard to close. He broke him … Kei got a break whilst Nole was serving for the match! Good Lord.
Mary Carrillo calls Kei, Klay Nishikori. Klay held 6-5! hahahaha
Kei gets the best results when he just goes for broke and keeps moving forward – it’s risky but moving in and then quickly retreating isn’t working. Attack Kei, attack.
Djokovic’s patent air of entitlement and habit of looking aggrieved when he loses a point is getting on my nerves.
Welp. 7-4 Nole ole in da TB. Kei fought it out. Nole needed 5 match points. Good job.
Kei’s serve is too weak on clay. I’ve seen him serve more effectively on hc — maybe not vs Nole though.