ATP

Wimbledon Final: Djokovic wins 2nd title at the All England Club

Published

9 years ago

06/07/2014

TENNIS WIMBLEDON FINAL – Novak Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title be beating 7 time champion Roger Federer. The Serb won a closely contested match in 5 sets. After this win Nole will return on top of the rankings. Read the match updates by Lucia Hoffman for Inside Tennis from Wimbledon

Results, Order of Play, Draws and Interviews from The Championships

First Set

It was a well disputed tiebreaker which Roger Federer won 9-7.

The first time they met, in the semis, Roger won. Federer is bidding for his 8th title at Wimbledon today and to tie the record with Nadal’ s 8th Roland Garros titles.

Finally, the two last men standing at the end of this magical two weeks at the AELTC, are battling for the title, the prize, the glory.

The first set was very well played by both players, who are fighting for every point with a Swiss precision and a Serbian type of focus.Serving at 4-5 , 40/40, Roger was able to sustain a very long rally and eventually won the point for Ad, closing the game with a powerful serve.

The high quality of playing by both player: solid strokes, great movement and strong serves , leads to a first set tie-breaker. Roger finds himself serving at 4-5, and plays a great point. The crowd was holding its breath as Roger approaches the net and but Djokovic hits a lob over his head which lands outside the baseline.

Roger often mentions the importance of making the first serves. At 5-5. he hits a great serve, but after Novak makes a great low return, Roger misses the ball at the net. Novak looking confident, serves at 6-5, but Roger stays in the point forcing Novak to miss.

At 6-6, Novak plays a solid point, and the pressure is back on Roger. Serving at 6-7, he hits an ace for 7-7. Finally, Roger sets his first set point with a very powerful serve, forcing an error from Novak. Set point for Roger, and he converts after Novak misses at the net.

Second Set

Novak Djokovic wins the second set after having a break, early on the second set.

The match has been very physical and Roger doesn’t seem as sharp as in the first, which he won, 9-7, in the tie-breaker.

Novak finds himself serving at 3-2 ; 15/15. A break is always reassuring against a player like Roger who already have a set on his pocket. He holds for 4-2 playing solid tennis. Novak, has been in many finals, some he won and some he lost, but today, he said he was looking forward to this encounter.

Roger serves with authority,powerful serves at 4-2. But soon finds himself at 30-30 due to Novak’s superb defence skills. Novak seems more composed and focused on this second set. But, Roger holds for 3-4. Often top players says, that it’s very important to stay close in the score board. Nadal often says that one break is like having no break, because it’s very easy to lose this lead.

Novak takes his time on the first point serving at 4-3. Roger seems a little uncomfortable with sudden changes of pace by Novak, and makes mistakes. Novak loses the point for 15/30 as the ball lies down on the used up grass patches, and he loses his balance. Interesting, Roger is one of the few players who didn’t fall on the court during this championships. Would he be the last man standing?

At the moment serving at 3-5, things don’t seem to be going Roger’s way, as Novak continues to punish and drag him into long rallies. However, Roger prevails and holds for 4-5.

Wild forehand miss by Novak serving for the set, at 5-4, and Roger has a chance to get the break back. But Roger’s hope to stay in this set doesn’t last long, as Novak hits an ace, wins the next point, and wins the set with an overhead on the open court.

And here we go to the third set, one set each. What’s breaking first: Roger’s fitness or Nole’s mental state?

Third Set

The scores were close, 7-6 for Novak in the third set. However, Roger showing signs of fatigue, perhaps?

Serving at 5-5, 40-30, Roger thought he had the game but call was over ruled and Novak got the point. A few deuces later, and some amazing serves to the rescue, Roger holds for 6-5. A happy crowd applauded loudly,

Novak held for 6-6, displaying great hands at the net, solid strokes and powerful serves.

The tie breaker will decide this well disputed third set. At 2-2 Roger comes in and Novak hits a backhand, passing shot down the line which hits the net and falls in. So first break point for Novak, 3-2.

Novak serves at 4-2 and Roger hits a forehand that is called out. He challenged, and thanks to Hawkeye, it shows the ball was in, The crowd is please by the mechanic call. Should that point have been replayed? Umpire doesn’t think so as Novak didn’t have a play on it.

Roger loses the nest point but manages to hold for 4-5. A cross court forehand gives Novak set point at 6-4. And finally, after a very careful rally by both players, Roger, eventually misses the slice back hand wide and Novak goes up 2 sets to one in this finals.

Novak is looking strong as the match progresses.

Lucia Hoffman for Inside Tennis

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ATP

ATP RANKINGS UPDATE: Novak Djokovic, No.1 once more

Published

2 weeks ago

11/09/2023

Kingsley Elliot Kaye

After the US Open the Serbian champion reclaims top spot. Alexander Zverev is back in the Top 10

By Roberto Ferri

“Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion”

Rudy Tomjanovich coined this maxim just after his Houston Rockets won the NBA championship in 1995. He was paying homage to Akeem Holajuwon. It perfectly suits the heart of Daniil Medvedev, who proved 99% of tennis fans in the world to be wrong, convinced as they were that he would lose the semifinal to former No 1 Carlos Alcaraz.

But his dream to win a second US Open, after his triumph in 2021, was shattered by another champion, whose heart and class is even greater: that’s Novak Djokovic, who affixes his seal on his return to No.1, equalling Margaret Court Smith’s record of 24 majors.

Djokovic dethroning Alcaraz is not the only change in the top 20: Sascha Zverev is back in the top 10 after almost one year and Ben Shelton, great protagonist of the Us Open, debuts in the top 20 best players in the world.

TOP 20

Position	Player	Country	Pts	+/-
1	Djokovic	Serbia	11795	1
2	Alcaraz	Spain	8535	-1
3	Medvedev	Russia	7280
4	Rune	Denmark	4710
5	Tsitsipas	Greece	4615	2
6	Rublev	Russia	4515	2
7	Sinner	Italy	4465	-1
8	Fritz	USA	3955	1
9	Ruud	Norway	3560	-4
10	Zverev	Germany	3030	2
11	Tiafoe	USA	2690	-1
12	de Minaur	Australia	2685	1
13	Paul	USA	2660	1
14	Auger-Aliassime	Canada	2340	1
15	Khachanov	Russia	2135	-4
16	Hurkacz	Poland	2035	1
17	Norrie	GB	1985	-1
18	Musetti	Italy	1925
19	Shelton	USA	1735	28
20	Dimitrov	Bulgaria	1735	-1

A few comments:

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrei Rublev and Alexander Zverev gain 2 positions.

Ben Shelton devours 28 positions.

Sinner, Tiafoe, Norrie and Dimitrov lose one.

Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov, runner up and semi-finalist respectively at the 2022 US Open, drop 4 positions.

One step forward for Fritz, de Minaur, Paul, Auger-Aliassime and Hurkacz.

ATP NITTO FINALS

From 12 to 19 November the 8 best players of the ranking based on the points earned in the ongoing solar season will be playing the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

Will Novak Djokovic succeed in winning a second straight title? He appears to be heading in the right direction.

Rank	Player	Country	Pts	+/-
1	Djokovic	Serbia	8945	1
2	Alcaraz	Spagna	8175	-1
3	Medvedev	Russia	6590
4	Sinner	Italia	4365
5	Rublev	Russia	3640	1
6	Tsitsipas	Grecia	3570	-1
7	Rune	Denmark	3055
8	Zverev	Germania	3030
9	Fritz	USA	3010
10	Ruud	Norway	2625

Thanks to his triumph at the US Open the Serbian overtakes Alcaraz also in the Race to Turin.

Jannik Sinner holds fourth spot while Andrei Rublev overtakes Stefanos Tsitsipas and is now fifth.

The eighth position is occupied by Alexander Zverev.

Last year runner up, Casper Ruud is currently 10th. This means he would feature in Turin as a reserve.

ATP NEXT GENERATION FINALS

The Next Gen Finals, dedicated to the best under 21s, (8 effectives and 2 reserves) of the season will take place this year in Gedda, Saudi Arabia.

The 2022 winner, Brandon Nakashima, will not be defending his title, since he was born in 2001.

Position	Player	Country	Pts	YOB	ATP rank
1	Alcaraz	Spain	8175	2003	2
2	Rune	Denmark	3055	2003	4
3	Shelton	USA	1455	2002	19
4	Musetti	Italy	1300	2002	18
5	Fils	France	953	2004	44
6	Van Assche	France	597	2004	69
7	Stricker	Switzerland	576	2002	90
8	Michelsen	USA	492	2004	117
9	Medjedovic	Serbia	485	2003	121
10	Cazaux	France	455	2002	130
11	Cobolli	Italy	405	2002	132
12	Llamas Ruiz	Spain	370	2002	133

Taking for granted that Alcaraz and, most likely Rune, will be playing the ATP Finals, we have included in the chart the 12 current top under 21s.

BEST RANKING

Besides Ben Shelton, other 11 players have achieved their career highest this week.

We tribute a double applause to the four players who are making their debut in the top 100.

The 25-year-old Croatian Borna Gojo, 22-year-old Australian Rinky Hijkata and the Swiss next gen Dominic Stricker all reap the reward for their brilliant runs at the US Open. Seyboth Wild, the Brazilian who stunned Medvedev in the first round of Roland Garros leaps to No.76 after winning the Challenger in Como last week.

Player	Position	Country	Progress
Shelton	19	USA	28
Jarry	22	Chile	3
Baez	28	Argentina	4
Fils	44	France	4
Arnaldi	47	Italy	14
Altmaier	49	Germany	4
O’Connell	53	Australia	16
Seyboth Wild	76	Brazil	30
Gojo	77	Croatia	28
Watanuki	78	Japan	7
Mmoh	81	USA	8
Hijkata	83	Australia	27
Stricker	90	Switzerland	38

Translated by Kingsley Elliot Kaye

ATP

COMMENT: Novak Djokovic Proves His Greatness At US Open

Published

2 weeks ago

11/09/2023

James Beck

Love him, or hate him. But respect him.

No tennis player has ever been better than Novak Djokovic.

Even Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer have to take their hats off to Novak, and admire him.

Now that Rafa and Roger have left Djokovic on his own stage at least for now, tennis fans love Novak.

DJOKOVIC WENT ONE STEP FURTHER

Djokovic’s performance on Sunday evening in the U.S. Open final was simply amazing. Daniil Medvedev also played his heart out, but Djokovic went one step further. He was sensational.

It was a thrill-a-minute three-set match. It lasted well into the night after starting at mid-afternoon. The second set alone lasted 104 minutes.

Djokovic was the winner, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3, but New York still loves 2021 champion Medvedev.

A FOURTH AND 24TH TITLE, AND A 24 TRIBUTE

At 36, the oldest U.S. Open men’s champion ever, Djokovic obviously has a special place in his heart for the number four. It’s the number of times he has won this tournament and the 24th time he has won a Grand Slam title.

The number 24 also was displayed prominently on the white jacket. Novak, his team members and family wore for the victory celebration as a tribute to the No. 24 jersey of deceased friend Kobe Bryant.

Djokovic lost his footing at least three times in the tight second set, stumbling to the surface once, apparently due to the length of the rallies.

Djokovic could look like he was almost completely wiped out of it physically one minute, and then play like Superman the next minute.

THREE POINTS MAY HAVE BEEN DECISIVE

Both men played great tennis, especially in the thrill-a-second second set in which Medvedev gained one set point in the 12th game before Djokovic recovered to force a tiebreaker.

Medvedev appeared to be in charge after out-playing Novak to win one of his drop shots to take a 5-4 lead in the tiebreaker. The match may have been decided on the next three points, all won by Djokovic on errors by the 6-6 Russian.

The big question now is what happens next January in the Australian Open. Right now, Djokovic probably wants to play . . . and win what has been his favorite tournament as far as success. But things can change quickly for players in their mid-30s. Just ask Roger or Rafa.

—

James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

ATP

Alcaraz Fell Victim To Unbeatable Medvedev

Carlos Alcaraz was no match for Daniil Medvedev in the US Open semi-finals.

Published

2 weeks ago

09/09/2023

James Beck

(@RelevantTennis - Twitter)

A star had to fall. There was no other way.

This time, Carlos Alcaraz was the victim. Daniil Medvedev was unbeatable.

The 6-6 Russian was everywhere, playing almost perfect tennis in a 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over Alcaraz.

So, one former champion went down while one advanced to Sunday’s final at the U.S. Open.

And then there was Novak Djokovic, another former champion headed for the title match.

U.S. OPEN WAS THE BIG WINNER FRIDAY

The U.S. Open couldn’t lose once Djokovic dominated young American Ben Shelton, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4).

Djokovic appeared to be content with just winning while getting the preliminaries over with. He seemed to be a little miffed by Shelton’s cockiness. There were no hugs or embraces when the match ended. Just a handshake.

Shelton has huge potential, but it’s going to take some time before he’s ready to join the likes of Djokovic, Medvedev and Alcaraz. He’s a better athlete than he is tennis player.

Novak is ready to go for a record 24^th Grand Slam title.

Believe it or not, Medvedev will be playing in his fifth Grand Slam final.

Sunday should be a great day in Arthur Ashe Stadium, with two former champs, Djokovic and Medvedev, going against each other.

CAN COCO HIT WITH SABALENKA

The women’s final will be interesting. Can Coco Gauff compete with Aryna Sabalenka?

Sabalenka looked helpless against Madison Keys’ big strokes and serves in the first set of their semifinal on Thursday.

Sabalenka couldn’t win even one game in that set. She looked helpless.

But she obviously felt all along that she could beat Keys anytime she wanted. Or why else would the powerful Sabalenka go for broke on almost every shot? And it almost cost her.

Amazingly, Sabalenka waited almost to the final moments to decide to play within her game and stop the wildness.

Once Sabalenka decided to settle down and play to win, Keys went just the opposite way, similarly to her one-sided loss to Sloane Stephens in the 2017 U.S. Open final.

Keys appeared ready to win this time as she held a 6-0, 5-4 advantage over new world’s No. 1 Sabalenka, who seemed to be stumbling all over the court as she repeatedly hit wild shots in every direction.

Just like that, everything changed. Sabalenka started hitting winners everywhere as Keys reversed roles with Sabalenka. Not only did Sabalenka win the second set while dropping just one point in a tiebreaker, she stormed through a decisive 10-point third-set tiebreaker to win the match.

—

James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award. 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.