SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 17 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in Montreal Masters epic

:Headline: Result: Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in Montreal Masters epic: ID:97987: from db_amp
Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic 6-4 3-6 7-6 to reach the final of the Rogers Cup, as the great rivals equal the record for most meetings between two players in the Open era.

Rafael Nadal came out on top as one of the great tennis rivalries of all time resumed in Montreal on Saturday evening.

The Spaniard overcame world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4 3-6 7-6 to reach the final of the Rogers Cup, where he will face local favourite Milos Raonic.

Nadal and Djokovic have now played each other on 36 occasions - a figure that sees them tied with Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe for the record of most meetings between two players in the Open era.

After winning the toss and electing to receive, Nadal broke to 30 in the opening game and then saved three break points en route to holding serve in the second.

The next four games went comfortably with serve, before a double fault handed Nadal another break and a 5-2 lead.

With some fearless ball striking, Djokovic immediately responded by winning eight of the next 12 points to close the gap to 5-4.

Far from rattled by losing his previous service game, Nadal confidently held to 15 in game 10 to seal the opening set after 44 minutes.

The next seven games passed by without a single break point, but Djokovic then pounced to seize control of the second set at 5-3 when Nadal squandered a 40-0 lead on his own serve.

Djokovic survived a single break point before holding to force a deciding set.

The Serb's short temper made an appearance midway through the decider. With the scores at 2-2 30-30, Nadal hit a backhand that fired straight into the throat of his great rival, who was at the net.

Nadal offered an apology, which Djokovic grumpily refused.

The Spaniard came agonising close to securing a 5-3 deciding-set lead when, on his second of two break points, he unleashed an outrageous cross-court backhand that dropped just millimetres wide.

Djokovic managed to cling onto his serve and he eventually forced a tie-break, which Nadal thoroughly dominated, winning it 7-2.

Nadal has now beaten Djokovic in 21 of their 36 meetings.

amp_article__97987 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-08-11 19:07:34:
html db last update - 2013-08-11 19:07:34 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .