TENNIS – Novak Djokovic claimed his second Monte-Carlo title after battling past Tomas Berdych with 7-5 4-6 6-3 in the Monte-Carlo Master 1000 final which was interrupted by rain for nearly one hour Diego Sampaolo
Djokovic has improved his winning streak this year to 17 consecutive victories becoming the first player in history to triumph in the first three Master 1000 tournaments (Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo). He has now collected 23 Master 1000 titles equalling Roger Federer in second place on the list of the most successful players in this series of tournaments.
It was not a easy win for Djokovic who was broken in the first game of the first set after Berdych hit a backhand.
Berdych, who lost 18 of his 20 head-to-head matches against Djokovic, won eight of the first ten points in the first tow games of the set to open up a 2-0 lead. Djokovic began putting pressure on Berdych who started to make unforced errors.
In the sixth game when he brought up two break points. Berdych saved the first break point opportunity with a service winner but Djokovic converted on the second chance for the break-back when Berdych sent a forehand wide.
Djokovic recovered from 1-3 down to take a 5-3 lead with a double break of serve but he hit a forehand into the net in the 10th game and could not serve it out for the set. Berdych bounced back drawing level to 5-5 after winning six points in a row but Djokovic converted on his third set point chance when Berdych sent his backhand into the net at 6-5 to clinch the first set.
Berdych brought up three break points in the fifth game. He failed to convert on the first two opportunities after unforced errors before Djokovic saved the third chance with a service winner.
After the second set resumed following a rain delay, Berdych clinched his third break opportunity in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead en route to winning the second set with 6-4 and forcing the match to the decider. It was the first time this week that Djokovic was forced to the third set.
Djokovic stormed out to a 4-0 lead in the third set with a double break after a series of unforced errors from Berdych. The Czech player bounced back by recovering one of the two breaks for 1-4
Berdych earned another break point chance in the seventh game but he committed unforced errors. Djokovic served out for the match on his serve He sealed the win on his second match point when Berdych hit his return long.
Djokovic did not play his best match and committed 38 unforced errors but he managed to win his second title in his “home” tournament where he trains regularly three tears after his first triumph.
He started his magic season in which he lost just two matches, won the Australian Open and the first three Master 1000 tournaments. He has the chance to win the Grand Slam if he will continue the season in this kind of form . His big goal is to win the Roland Garros, one of the very few tournaments missing from his cabinet
“I am sitting here with this trophy. This is very special to me. That is what matters. Sometimes winning ugly is necessary. It is a remarkable start to the season for me. I thought I won this match with my heart and with battle. That’s how I feel like I won it”, said Djokovic
“The most important period of the year is coming up right now. Obviously the Roland Garros and Wimbledon are the priority. That’s where I want to perform my best. We will take step by step and see how far I can go”, said Djokovic.
Berdych put pressure on Djokovic with powerful groundstrokes in the first two sets but it was not enough to beat the Serbia star.
“There have been just a couple of points that didn’t go the way that I wanted. I have been pushing him quite hard. I had enough chances to make this match happen on my way and I could be the one with the trophy today”, said Berdych.
Monte-Carlo doubles final: Mike and Bob Bryan clinch their 106th title with 7-6 6-1 win over Fognini and Bolelli
US twin brothers Mike and Bob Bryan defeated this year’s Australian Open champions Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 in one hour and nine minutes in the doubles final of the Monte-Carlo doubles final to clinch their 5th win in Monte-Carlo and their 106th tour-level title. The Bryans captured a hard-fought first set at the tie-break with 7-3 before cruising to 4-0 in the second set. The US twins clinched their third break in the seventh game of the second set.
The US doubles stars fended off all four break points they faced and won 73 percent of their first service points. They had already triumped at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
“I thought we competed very well today. We stayed patient. The breaks weren’t coming early. They hit great serves. We were just feeling them out. We haven’t played them for a few years but I thought we played a solid tie-break”, said Mike Bryan. We got in some baseline rallies and went toe to toe with them. We are really excited to come in here and get the job dome. It’s one of our favourite tournaments”, said Mike Bryan.
It’s the third time the Bryans have lifted a trophy this year, as they won in Delray Beach and Miami (beaten by Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil). This is their 34th Master 1000 title. Thanks to their win they have closed their gap on Fogni and Bolelli who lead the ATP Race to London (which qualifies for the ATP Finals in London) after winning at the Australian Open and finishing runner-up at Indian Wells.
