Step 3 of 7 to the Grand Slam: Novak Djokovic vs. Kei Nishikori
Novak Djokovic is still five wins missing to win the Calendar Grand Slam. The next one will be against Kei Nishikori today.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Sep 04, 2021, 05:08 am
Novak Djokovic was pretty curt in his post-match interview on Thursday night on ESPN. It could not have been the match against Tallon Griekspoor, which the industry leader won without any problems. Djokovic had also reconciled himself with the audience, this time he sent his hearts in all four directions. No, Novak Djokovic just thought he wasn't on the air yet, after all, nobody had pinned a microphone to his training jacket.
As soon as that was resolved, however, there was no stopping Nole. Djokovic lectured on God and the world, leaving Pam Shriver, who used to be among the world's best, in amazement. To reproduce the full content of the master's monologue would go beyond the scope here. The fact that Djokovic praised his next opponent Kei Nishikori beyond all measure should not go unmentioned.
Djokovic with 16 wins in a row
Now maybe Novak Djokovic's memories of 2014 are still present. At that time he lost to Nishikori out of nowhere in the semifinals. However, it felt 40 degrees at the time, Djokovic was close to a physical collapse. Nothing like this is to be expected for Saturday, since the tornado's visit three days ago it has cooled significantly in New York City. And: Kei Nishikori was a different player seven years ago. A better one.
Since then, Novak Djokovic has won all 16 games played against Nishikori, the latest slap for the Japanese was not long ago: Not that Nishikori had necessarily expected a home win at the Olympic Games, the 6-2, 6-0 package in favor of Djokovic then hurt twice. Will things go better for Kei Nishikori in the second match after 6 p.m. CEST at Arthur Ashe Stadium today? With a probability bordering on certainty not.
Here the single tableau in New York
nycmap