Djokovic Triumphant in Toronto Finals Over Gasquet

By Erik Gudris

(August 12, 2012) -- Despite dealing with the disappointment of losing both at Wimbledon and the Olympics along with overcoming this week jet lag, multiple rain delays and having to play back to back matches, Novak Djokovic saved his best tennis for last as he easily defended his Rogers Cup title tonight in Toronto.

Taking on France's Richard Gasquet who was playing in his first Masters 1000 final since 2006 in Toronto, Djokovic quickly threw in mulitple errors to give Gasquet three break points at the start of the match. Djokovic recovered to eventually hold serve and from there both men stayed in touch with each other in the first set with Gasquet finding some success despite being content to rally with Djokovic from well beyond the baseline.

At 4-3, Djokovic stepped up his game and broke Gasquet at love. Clearly frustrated, Gasquet attempted to just rip winners but his shots often ended up in the net as Djokovic closed out the 6-3 first set with an ace.

Djokovic broke Gasquet right away to start the second set and though he did face a break point later at 2-1, Djokovic's tactic of forcing Gasquet to come up with winning backhand passing shots while on the run proved effective as the Serb saved the break point to go up 3-1.

With his confidence rising after serving an ace to go up 4-2, Djokovic hit an forehand crosscourt winner to break the Frenchman again for 5-2 and from there it was a mere formality as Djokovic served out the match and the title in just over an hour 6-3, 6-2 to defend his Rogers Cup title, the third of his career.

Djokovic's serving in Toronto was impressive as he held for 50 of 51 service games and saved 25 of 26 break points against him during the event.

Though he lost in the final, it was still a successful week for Gasquet as he's projected to climb to No. 13 in the ATP rankings on Monday.

(Photo Credit: AP/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)