Filed under: Tennis, Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic lived up to his status as the new world No. 1 as he dethroned Rafael Nadal in four sets in Sunday's final to be crowned Wimbledon champion for the first time.The Serb recorded a 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 victory over the Spaniard on Centre Court to clinch his third Grand Slam title, adding to his two Australian Open victories.
It was his fifth victory in as many meetings this year against Nadal, whom he leapfrogs into No. 1 spot in Monday's world rankings, and the second seed has still lost just once in 2011 - to Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the French Open.
There was little to choose between the pair in the first set as both players held comfortably until game 10 when, from 30-0 behind, Djokovic reeled off four consecutive points to break with the very first opportunity of the match and take the set, sealing it when a Nadal forehand flew wide.
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Nadal, who beat Andy Murray in the semi-finals, missed a routine overhead which would have set up break point in the very first game of the second and it proved a key moment as Djokovic broke again in the following game, somehow scrambling to reach what looked a certain Nadal winner before calmly putting away a winner.
Djokovic looked invincible and it was no great surprise when the second seed broke again in game six and he duly served out to take a two-set lead and leave Nadal with a mountain to climb.
Yet the Spaniard made the perfect start to the third set when he forced break point for the first time in the match in the second game.
And, he took it, breaking when Djokovic netted as the Serb showed signs of tightening up for the first time.
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Suddenly, the momentum had shifted in Nadal's favour and, as he stepped up a gear, Djokovic's game capitulated and the muscular Mallorcan broke again on the way to clinching the second set 6-1.
Djokovic could count himself fortunate to escape from the first game of the first set with a hold after Nadal saw a break point go begging and it looked a pivotal moment when the Serb broke in the next game only for Nadal to immediately hit back with one of his own - with the help of lucky ricochet off the net cord.
But, rather than kick on from there, the Spaniard was the one who looked more vulnerable on his own serve and Djokovic forced three break points at 0-40 in game eight, converting the second before keeping his cool to serve out for the title.
Suddenly, the momentum had shifted in Nadal's favour and, as he stepped up a gear, Djokovic's game capitulated and the muscular Mallorcan broke again on the way to clinching the second set 6-1.
Djokovic could count himself fortunate to escape from the first game of the first set with a hold after Nadal saw a break point go begging and it looked a pivotal moment when the Serb broke in the next game only for Nadal to immediately hit back with one of his own - with the help of lucky ricochet off the net cord.
But, rather than kick on from there, the Spaniard was the one who looked more vulnerable on his own serve and Djokovic forced three break points at 0-40 in game eight, converting the second before keeping his cool to serve out for the title.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/03/wimbledon-novak-djokovic-justifies-no-1-status-by-beating-rafa/
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