By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, May 7, 2016
Novak Djokovic needed five match points to subdue Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 7-6 (4) and set up a Mutua Madrid Open final against Andy Murray.
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open
Novak Djokovic was tested, but continues to confound the Top 10.
Crowding the baseline to take the ball on the rise, Kei Nishikori threw everything he had at Djokovic, earning triple break point in the opening game and fighting off four match points when Djokovic served for it.
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Ultimately, the world No. 1 absorbed it all and answered with timely strikes of his own.
Failing to serve out the match at 5-4, 40-Love, Djokovic dug in and hit with authority in the tie break squeezing out a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory to advance to the Mutua Madrid Open final for the first time in five years.
The 2011 champion will face reigning champion Andy Murray in tomorrow's final. In a rematch of the 2015 final, Murray defeated Rafael Nadal, 7-5, 6-4, in today's first semifinal.
The reunion of the world's top two is a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Djokovic won in straight sets. Djokovic has won 11 of his last 12 meetings with Murray and holds a 3-0 advantage in their clay-court encounters, including a five-set victory in the Roland Garros semifinals last June.
It was Djokovic's 14th consecutive win vs. Top 10 opposition—he's won 30 of his last 32 sets against Top 10 foes—and it didn't come easy.
Nishikori won the digital coin toss, elected to receive then surged out to a triple-break point lead with push-button precision.
The serve has been a significant advantage for Djokovic in this match-up—he delivers more damage on first serve and more depth on second— and helped him navigate pressure again today. Djokovic answered with five straight biting first serves holding in a challenging opener.
Seldom is Djokovic wrong-footed twice in one game, but Nishikori did it. Stepping into the court to take the ball on the rise, he flicked a diagonal forehand winner behind the Serbian holding at 30 for 2-all.
Extending the court with the depths of his cross-court drives, Djokovic hit a sweeping forehand for a second break point. Trying to create a short angle, Nishikori curled a forehand wide. Djokovic grabbed the first break for 5-3.
When Djokovic needed a big point on serve, he targeted the Nishikori forehand. A slider serve wide gave him set point and when Nishikori netted a backhand, Djokovic had the set in 40 minutes.
Barking at himself between points at times, Djokovic was frustrated by his inability to crack serve early in the second set.
Playing aggressively, Nishikori bounced a smash into the stands to save a second break point, but overcooked a forehand giving the top seed a third break point.
Slashing a forehand to force Nishikori into a running reply, Djokovic stepped in and banged a backhand winner, ending a seven-minute game with a sharp strike for the break and a 3-2 second-set advantage.
Continuing to test the top seed in long rallies, Nishikori knocked off a high volley for break point in the eighth game.
A roundhouse forehand winner erased it. Djokovic celebrated that strike with a massive fist pump then unleashed another ferocious fist pump and roar holding for 5-3.
Impeccable timing and a willingness to stand on the edge of the eye of the storm make Nishikori an exciting player to watch. A healthy dose of defiance helped him fight off four match points when Djokovic served for the final at 5-4, 40-Love.
Djokovic didn't help his own cause missing a couple of forehands and double faulting on the first three match points. Jamming a backhand winner down the line, Nishikori denied the fourth break point in jolting style.
Rattled by Nishikori's resilience, Djokovic double faulted to face break point 99 minutes into the match. Drawing Djokovic forward, Nishikori teased him with the lob breaking back for 5-all.
Deadlocked at 3-all in the tie break, Djokovic drilled an inside out forehand then earned the mini break for 5-3 when Nishikori hooked a crosscourt forehand wide.
The serve saved Djokovic in the first game and helped him close the match. A booming wide serve gave him a fifth match point 23 minutes after his last one.
Cranking an inside-out forehand winner, Djokovic pounded his clenched fist over his heat then patted Nishikori on his chest in a gesture of a respect after a gripping battle.