Novak Djokovic fought back from one set down to overcome Kei Nishikori 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) after an outstanding match between two great baseliners to secure his spot in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome
Djokovic had to dig deep, as Nishikori fought until the last point.
Djokovic hit his left leg ankle and required a medical time-out in the first game. The Serbian player reached deuce in 3 of 4 Nishikori’s games but failed to convert three break points.
Nishikori took the initaitive from the back of the court and broke serve with a forehand drop shot to take a 2-1 lead in the third game. He got a double break in the seventh game with a backhand down the line to pull away to 5-2 before serving out for the set after 43 minutes. Nishikori hit 10 winners to 10 unforced errors.
Nishikori rallied from 0-40 to fend off four break points in his first service game before earning a break point in the next game. The Japanese star saved two more break points in the 8th game. Djokovic failed to convert six break points in the second set before he finally managed to break serve in the 10th game to force the match to the decider.
Djokovic got the break in the second game of the third set. Nishikori failed to convert a break point in the third game. Djokovic earned two break points to go up 5-1 but Nishikori fended off both break points to hold his serve.
Nishikori broke back in the 8th game to draw level to 4-4. The Japanese star fended off a match point at 5-4 with an inside-out forehand winner to force the match to the decisive tie-break. Nishikori went up 3-1 but Djokovic fought back by winning the next five points to clinch the win on his fourth match point.
Djokovic set up a blockbuster final against Andy Murray for the second consecutive week after the Serbian player won the title in Madrid.
Djokovic won for the 9th time in 11 head-to-head matches against Nishikori. They met for the 4th time this year.
“From the beginning he was showing that he knew that his game plan is and he came out on court with intent, hitting the ball along lines, cross-courts, both sides, being aggressive on the return, it was flawless first set. Then I knew that I am going to have a little opening where I am supposed to step in and try to us that, which I did”, said Djokovic.
