Djokovic crowned Montreal Masters king
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
MONTREAL, Aug 13 (AFP): Novak Djokovic denied Roger Federer the 50th title of his career Sunday, defeating the world number one 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 7-6 (7/2) to win the Montreal Masters.
The Serb, now on his way back to number three in the world, had already upset world number two Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals Saturday.
"This is the best day of my career," said Djokovic, who was mistakenly introduced as Croatian during the trophy ceremony.
"I won a major in Miami, a Masters Series, but to beat the first and second in the world is unbelievable. I couldn't have asked for more, I played some impressive tennis this week," he added.
The win, after four successive defeats against Federer over the past two seasons, gave Djokovic his fourth title of 2007, the same as the mighty Swiss, who suffered just his sixth defeat of the year.
Djokovic held his nerve in the third set, beginning with a break and staying steady despite a Federer break-back in the eighth game.
The third seed ran away with the tiebreaker, with Federer saving one match point before going down as he chased a lob after two hours, 13 minutes.
Federer began with a patchy effort in the opening set, dropping his opening service for 2-0 but getting it back at for 2-3 on a volley winner to the open court.
The pugnacious Djokovic didn't relent, holding his own until the Swiss rallied from 15-40 in the 11th game to break for 6-5.
In seemingly perfect position to wrap up the set, Federer proceeded to struggle.
When it was finally completed, the pair had played through eight deuces, with Federer missing out on six set points and saving three break points.
Djokovic found his way on the fourth, moving the tight contest into a tiebreaker with a cross-court winner.
In the decider, Federer fell behind 0-3 before finally getting on the board.
But the 20-year-old Serb challenger reached 4-1 with a backhand winner down the line and took his lead to 5-1.
Djokovic coolly claimed the set on the first chance of four, firing over a service winner which Federer couldn't return after 55 minutes.
Federer drew first blood in the second set, taking a 4-2 lead from a Djokovic forehand into the net. The Serb had felt the sting two games previously as Federer forced him to save a trio of break points.
The Serb, now on his way back to number three in the world, had already upset world number two Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals Saturday.
"This is the best day of my career," said Djokovic, who was mistakenly introduced as Croatian during the trophy ceremony.
"I won a major in Miami, a Masters Series, but to beat the first and second in the world is unbelievable. I couldn't have asked for more, I played some impressive tennis this week," he added.
The win, after four successive defeats against Federer over the past two seasons, gave Djokovic his fourth title of 2007, the same as the mighty Swiss, who suffered just his sixth defeat of the year.
Djokovic held his nerve in the third set, beginning with a break and staying steady despite a Federer break-back in the eighth game.
The third seed ran away with the tiebreaker, with Federer saving one match point before going down as he chased a lob after two hours, 13 minutes.
Federer began with a patchy effort in the opening set, dropping his opening service for 2-0 but getting it back at for 2-3 on a volley winner to the open court.
The pugnacious Djokovic didn't relent, holding his own until the Swiss rallied from 15-40 in the 11th game to break for 6-5.
In seemingly perfect position to wrap up the set, Federer proceeded to struggle.
When it was finally completed, the pair had played through eight deuces, with Federer missing out on six set points and saving three break points.
Djokovic found his way on the fourth, moving the tight contest into a tiebreaker with a cross-court winner.
In the decider, Federer fell behind 0-3 before finally getting on the board.
But the 20-year-old Serb challenger reached 4-1 with a backhand winner down the line and took his lead to 5-1.
Djokovic coolly claimed the set on the first chance of four, firing over a service winner which Federer couldn't return after 55 minutes.
Federer drew first blood in the second set, taking a 4-2 lead from a Djokovic forehand into the net. The Serb had felt the sting two games previously as Federer forced him to save a trio of break points.