By Chris Oddo | Friday, May 15, 2015
Novak Djokovic raised his level in a decider to take down Kei Nishikori in the Rome quarterfinals.
Photo Source: AP
Tough draw? Meh.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic survived his third consecutive three-setter, this time against the inspired efforts of Kei Nishikori, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, to book a spot in the Internazionali BNL D’Italia semifinals alongside David Ferrer.
The victory pushed the Serb’s winning streak to 20 matches. It is the fourth-longest winning streak of Djokovic’s career, and the Serb becomes just the fourth man in the Open Era to have won 20 or more matches consecutively four or more times.
Djokovic had a handle on proceedings from the early going, as he notched a break in Nishikori’s opening service game for a 2-0 lead and had chances for the double-break in the sixth game.
But Nishikori held serve and eventually started to swing the momentum by earning two break points with Djokovic serving for the set at 5-3. Djokovic would hold, rifling a forehand down-the-line winner on his second set point, but Nishikori’s play would elevate further in the second set.
Nishikori would break for a 3-2 lead and continue to dictate play with his aggressive backhand for the remainder of the set to draw level. He did not face a break point in the set.
With Nishikori owning a 29-4 record in deciders since the beginning of 2014, the crowd and Djokovic expected a fight to the finish.
Instead, what they saw was a clinical stretch run from the game’s best player.
After an amazing sequence that saw each player offer up his best attempt at making the ATP’s shot of the day (Djokovic's was a dropper from behind the baseline to get to 15-30, Nishikori's was a rollicking rally on the next pont that got him to 30-all), Djokovic broke for a 3-1 lead when Nishikori netted a forehand, and let out a guttural cry of satisfaction.
Two games later, the world No. 1 all but iced things when he notched the double-break for a 5-1 lead.
Djokovic has now won three matches in a row against Nishikori since falling to him at the U.S. Open semifinals. But the loss in no way dampens the enthusiasm around Japan’s No. 1 this spring. Nishikori once again showed that he has the game to stand toe-to-toe with the sport’s best on clay. He promises to be a factor at Roland Garros this year and likely for years to come.
Djokovic will continue his bid for a fourth Rome title, and third in succession, when he faces David Ferrer in Saturday’s semifinals.