‘Rafael Nadal’s heavy spins were too tough to handle,’ Novak Djokovic recalls
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The young Serb Novak Djokovic made a name for himself in 2006. Novak reached his first Major quarter-final and finished the year in the top-20. Increasing his goals ahead of 2007, Djokovic kicked off the new season with the title in Adelaide and two losses to Roger Federer at the Australian Open and Dubai.
After a shaky start against Ginepri in Indian Wells, Novak picked up the form and scored straight-sets triumphs to find himself in the title match, the first at the premium ATP level. Djokovic took down David Ferrer and Andy Murray in the quarters and semis, setting the clash against Rafael Nadal and chasing his young career’s biggest title.
The more experienced Spaniard scored a 6-2, 7-5 triumph in an hour and 34 minutes for his seventh Masters 1000 title at 20! Rafa fended off all three break chances and stole Novak’s serve thrice to emerge at the top and beat the Serb for the second time in as many encounters.
Nadal hit fewer unforced errors and drew more forced mistakes from Djokovic’s racquet, overpowering the Serb in the shortest and more extended exchanges to control the pace and seal the deal in straight sets. Rafa broke at love in the encounter’s first game and took 16 of the first 18 points to forge a massive 4-0 advantage.
Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2007 Indian Wells final.
Nadal held at love at 5-2 to complete the opener, controlling the scoreboard so far and hoping for more in set number two. Djokovic raised his level and followed the pace of world no.
2 to extend his chances. The Serb wasted three break points in game four and had opportunities at 4-3 and 5-4. Still, Nadal remained calm and kept his serve intact to mount the pressure on the other side. The Spaniard grabbed a break in the 11th game and sealed the deal on his serve a few minutes later to lift the trophy.
“I stepped in in set number two, trying to be more aggressive and impose my shots. I was too defensive with my backhand, especially in the…
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Source : tennisworldusa
