Rome: Novak Djokovic fights Casper Ruud down
The world number one Novak Djokovic has reached the final of the Masters tournament in Rome.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Sep 20, 2020, 05:14 pm
Djokovic won 7-5 and 6-3, but had to unpack everything in the 2 hour and 11 minute match. Above all, fighting spirit and strong nerves.
Ruud took the lead early with a break, played big and consequently had two set balls at 5: 4. But Djokovic unpacked everything, especially fended off set point number two with a wonderful stop ball. Ruud, on the other hand, did not give up, again had two break chances in the following serve game of the "Djoker", but the 17-time major champ parried. And then got the sentence.
Round two started as well, initially Ruud had to fear for his serve (and fend off a break chance), then it was Djokovic (who destroyed three break chances of the Norwegian). Djokovic then managed the decisive break to 4-2 to zero.
Djokovic and the Hawk-Eye on sand
Crazy: Both at the end of set one and twice at the beginning of the second half, Djokovic was in a clinch with the referee of the game when he wanted to see a Ruud ball out of bounds, but was always left behind in the discussion. The Hawk-Eye, not officially, but only in use for TV, confirmed Djokovic in all three cases.
Which of course had no effect on the match, but could again raise the question of whether a hawk-eye would also make sense on sand. Opponents of the hawk-eye on sand always put forward the minimal measurement inaccuracy, the proponents the different interpretation of close prints, depending on the referee.
Djokovic nervous as always
Ultimately, the decisive factor for Djokovic's victory was the yield of break chances. Ruud only used one of eight opportunities, Djokovic three of nine. Whereby "use" is to be used relatively: Because Djokovic was once again nervous and often served flawlessly in critical moments.
Djokovic was asked after his victory what he said about Ruud's performance and the extreme spin he showed. "He trains at Nadal's Academy, so the patterns are similar," he said with a grin.
Djokovic is now waiting for the winner of the game between Denis Shapovalov and Nadal conqueror Diego Schwartzman (from 7 p.m.). Djokovic would win his 36 Masters title if he won, overtaking Nadal.