Posted on 08/12/2007 5:59:32 PM PDT by joan
Sunday, August 12, 2007 5:44 PM EDT
MONTREAL - Novak Djokovic called his Rogers Cup semifinal victory over Rafael Nadal one of the biggest victories of his career.
It turns out he was only getting warmed up.
Djokovic upset world No. 1 Roger Federer 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (2) Sunday to win the $2.45 million Masters Series event, solidifying himself as a serious contender to win the U.S. Open beginning later this month in New York.
"It's a dream come true to win such a strong tournament as this and to win against probably the best player ever in the sport," Djokovic said.
It was third-seeded Djokovic's fourth tournament win this year and his first win in five career matches against Federer, whose 16-match Rogers Cup winning streak ended. The Swiss star won the tournament in 2004 and 2006, and sat out in 2005 with a foot injury.
With wins over Andy Roddick and No. 2 Nadal in his previous rounds, Djokovic also became the first player to beat the world's top three players in the same tournament since Boris Becker defeated No. 3 Michael Stich, No. 1 Pete Sampras and No. 2 Goran Ivanisevic in succession in 1994 in Stockholm.
Federer broke Djokovic to finish off the second set but the Serbian standout broke back to open the third. Federer rallied to tie it at 4.
Djokovic took over in the tiebreaker, finishing off Federer with a drop shot followed by a lob that fell inside the line. Federer's attempted return through his legs struck the net and Djokovic fell to his knees to celebrate.
Djokovic rose from No. 83 into the top 20 last year and has continued to move up this season. He will return this week to the No. 3 ranking, which he first took on July 9 but then surrendered to Roddick.
Federer remains tied with Becker for ninth with 49 career tournament victories.
Djokovic collected $400,000 for the win while Federer got $200,000.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the trophy following his win over Roger Federer of Switzerland in the final match at the Montreal Masters tennis tournament August 12, 2007. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA)
Ivanovic triumphs in Los Angeles WTA tournament
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia holds up her trophy after defeating Nadia Petrova of Russia in their final match at the East West Bank Classic tennis tournament at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. Ivanovic won 7-5, 6-4. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Third World League title for Serbia Vanja Udovicic MVP
Serbia's players pose with the trophy after the men's FINA Water Polo World League Final between Serbia and Hungary in Berlin, Sunday Aug. 12, 2007. Serbia defeated Hungary by 9-6. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
“This thread is useless without more Ana pics.”
How am I doin’ so far?
LOL
Lovely young thing, she is.
Oh, dear...she makes me wish I was young, tall, handsome, and rich....LOL
There I go...
Another case of a woman doing more with her body than just living in it...
I attended a couple Roddick matches at the Legg Mason Classic a week before this event. He had some tough matches, but he played damned good tennis. While he made his usual assortment of lazy, bad shots, and while the draw wasn’t the toughest in the world, he stood up when it counted.
So when Djokovic beat him at Montreal, I was concerned: Roddick just couldn’t rise. Then I watched Djokovicf devour Nadal. He tore up the poor man. Wow, I thought, it’ll be amazing to see Federer slap him down. Wo.
We’ll see how Roddick plays in Cinci.
Btw, anyone catch John Isner in the Legg Mason Classic? There’s a huge, huge future in that boy.
I’m very disappointed that I missed this match. Have been looking for it online, no luck. Any suggestions?
It’s got match highlights which is good enough for me. Thanks a lot!
Wouldn't we all...
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