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Del Potro 🎥 Djokovic (Short)

Del Potro 🎥 Djokovic (Long)

RESULTS 🎾

💥 = Beatdown \\ 🤕 = Injury \\ ‼️ = Upset

🏆 Djokovic d Del Potro: 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3

In the early games of the first set it looked like Delpo’s serve would cause Novak problems. The Argentine was the one creating half-chances (30-30) on the Djokovic serve, and looked untroubled in his own service games until 3*-4. But at 40-0 up, and looking comfortable, Delpo shanked a few forehands to put him at deuce, and the return-of-serve deity known as Novak Djokovic then decided to enter the fray. The Serb turned into an impenetrable wall, putting 130mph Del Potro bombs straight back on to the Argentine’s shoelaces, on his backhand side. Djokovic broke serve, winning 5 points in a row, and suddenly looked in total control, holding his own serve without drama to grab the 1st set. Delpo finished with 6 winners to 10 unforced errors, Novak with 6 winners to 9 errors.

The 2nd set started just like the 1st had ended. Delpo was struggling to impose his forehand on the match and resultantly failed to dominate the 3rd shot of the rallies when serving (Delpo’s most important shot). It simply looked like the Serb had answers for everything Delpo could throw at him. After 14 games played, Novak had put a staggering 39/42 returns in play against his opponents serve. This constant pressure proved too much for Delpo to bear, and Djokovic broke again for a 2*-1 lead in the 2nd set. An air of inevitability descended on to Arthur Ashe stadium, with Novak looking imperious and in charge. But then two interesting things happened. First, Del Potro’s forehand and serve suddenly found added depth and power respectively, pushing Djokovic much further back in the court, and opening up space to hit into for the Argentine. Second, Djokovic’s footwork lost some of it’s squeak (literally) with the Serb suddenly missing backhands, and struggling to catch up to some of the now missile-like, Delpo groundstrokes. Juan Martin broke back and it looked like the momentum was starting to shift. A marathon, 20 minute game ensued at 4-4 with Djokovic serving. The Serb now looked shaky, especially on his backhand side, and Delpo was ripping forehands harder than ever. The Argentine held 3 break points, but made unforced errors on two of them to halt the momentum shift, and Djokovic managed to escape with his serve intact. Onto a tiebreaker and both players started with poor errors to exchange early mini-breaks. Del Potro then missed a big opportunity on a mid-court forehand at 4-4, which allowed Djokovic to serve out the set with two points on his own serve from 4-5*. That wrapped up a 96 minute set, after which Delpo still had nothing to show, for all his hard work, on the scoreboard. It was a set which probably went against the run of momentum & opportunity, with Novak facing 5 break points to Delpo’s 3. But as the Serb tends to do, he played the big points wonderfully.

The third started in familiar fashion with Djokovic starting stronger, breaking serve to go up 3*-1 thanks to some exceptional returning, before Delpo roared back to grab the immediate break back in a multi-duece, Djokovic service game. Just like the 2nd set, Del Potro had wrangled the momentum over to his side after getting back on serve, and the Argentine played a brilliant lob to go up 15-30 with Djokovic serving at 3-3. But again, like the 2nd set, Del Potro’s forehand let him down when he needed it most, hitting two unforced errors in a row to entirely take the pressure off his opponent. A relieved Novak held serve and had once again weathered the Del Potro storm unscathed. With Delpo then serving at 3*-4, Djokovic was about to remind everyone exactly why and how he was about to win his 14th Slam title. Some ludicrously good defence from the Serb, in the face of some line-licking Del Potro forehand bombs, coaxed unforced errors out of Delpo, and the Argentine lost his serve for the 4th time in the match. Del Potro fought valiantly until the end, getting to 30-30 with Djokovic serving for the title, but in the end Novak was just too solid. A Serbian smash, a shot which had been uncharacteristically flawless throughout the match, converted Novak’s first match point, and Grand Slam title No.14 was his.

For Delpo, the straight set scoreline looked a bit harsh considering he had Djokovic rocked for most of the 2nd and a part of the 3rd set. He’ll rue the forehand errors in the 2nd set tiebreaker, and then again at 3-3 in the final set, but it should be remembered that this is Del Potro’s first slam final in 9 years. A man with immense talent and match-play resilience, who has struggled with injury more than most. He should be applauded for a brilliant and consistent tournament, and if he keeps playing as he has done so far this year, there is no reason why he won’t get more chances to add to his slam tally. The one caveat? His post-surgery backhand just doesn’t stand up to the very best players, and was repeatedly exposed tonight. In defence his slice can only take so much punishment before he offers up an attackable ball. And in offence, his technique doesn’t afford him the ability to finish shorter balls cross court.

For Novak, what a year 2018 is turning out to be, after an absolute shocker of a first four months. He was incredibly good tonight, moving as well as ever, returning maybe better than ever, and generally looking unbeatable once again on hard court. The Serb’s return of serve, especially in the third set, was out of this world, winning 42% of 1st serve return points, and 45% on the 2nd serve. Given how huge Delpo was serving, from the 2nd set onwards, those are unbelievable numbers (especially on the 1st serve return). But perhaps most impressively, Novak faced 6 break points throughout tonights match, only one less than Del Potro, and yet still finished as a straight set winner. The Serb is back playing (and saving) the big points better than anyone else in the world right now.

Djokovic now has a serious shot at securing the year end No.1 ranking. Which given his state of mind and results earlier this year (he entered Rome with 6 wins, 6 losses for the year), is staggering. It’s very tough to make the argument for anyone else in the world being a better player at the moment.

🎾

SHOTS OF THE DAY 😮

— Un-playable combination of forehands from Delpo.

— Great hands from Djokovic.

— Why Del Potro struggles against Djokovic in one perfect GIF. 130mph Delpo serve batted straight back, deep to the Argentine’s backhand. Completely counters any serving advantage. No one does this better.

— Novak makes this pass look so easy.

— When Delpo starts hitting backhands like this, you know you’re in trouble. This was the start of the fightback.

— BOOM 🚀.

— Delpo had started to find his range and was in the process of de-fluffing every ball he could get his forehand on.

— Almost getting silly at this point. Ridiculous power from a metre behind the baseline.

— Nice back and forth between these two.

— Great anticipation from Delpo to set up break point.

— Novak showing some forehand power of his own.

— Not a bad volley, just too good from Delpo.

— Championship point.

INTERVIEW & PRESS BEST BITS 🎤

Djokovic post-win: (full video/transcript of presser)

“If you had told me in February, after surgery, that I’d win Wimbledon, Cincy and the US Open, I wouldn’t believe you. But on the other side, I believed that I’d be playing well quickly. It took me 3-4 months, but I got there. Everything that happened taught me patience.”

“The loss against Cecchinato (French Open) made me realize a lot of things, I felt like I let myself down. I went hiking in the French mountains with my wife, took a different perspective and tennis went the right way after I disconnected a bit. We’re gonna go hiking again (laughs).”

“When Delpo's fans sing 'ole ole ole' I make myself hear 'Nole Nole Nole'.”

On equalling Sampras in slam count:

“I respect history and everyone that has paved the path. He is one of the biggest legends, my childhood idol. His Wimbledon title inspired me to play tennis.”

On Nadal & Federer:

“Maybe 10 years I would say that I am not happy being part of this era, but now I think different because the rivalries with them made me the player I am. We push each other to the limit. That was always an ultimate challenge: to play Nadal or Federer anywhere.”

On his future:

“I want to create from this moment on. I respect history, but I want to look forward.”

On the Serena/Osaka/Ramos shit-show:

“Look, I love Serena, first of all. I really felt for her yesterday. Tough thing for a chair umpire to deal with, as well. We have to empathize with him. Last night everyone was in an awkward position. I believe the chair umpire should not have pushed Serena to that point, he may have changed the course of the match.

Del Potro post-loss: (full video/transcript of presser)

“To be honest, I was crying till now. I'm very sad for being a loser today. But Novak deserved to take the trophy. He played a great match, very smart game. I had my opportunities during second and third set.”

“I was playing almost at the limit all the time, looking for winners with my forehands, backhands, and I couldn't make it because Novak were there every time. He's a great champion. So I'm glad for him.”

“My mistakes were because the level of Novak. He plays really well.”

“The love from the crowd, it's could be even bigger than the tournament. That's what I got from them. It will be in my heart for the rest of my life.”

On his wrist:

“My wrist is responding good, because I've been playing a lot of matches in these two weeks. I feel good with my two-handed backhands, as well. No pain.”

On Playing in the same era as Federer, Nadal & Djokovic:

“I think we are proud to be close to these legends. I've been during all my career learning with Novak, Roger, Rafa, seeing them winning these events very often. It's amazing. I don't feel sad that I couldn't win Grand Slams because of them. I am just one of the guys that have lucky to be in the same era as them, and it's great.”

“Hopefully him (Novak), Rafa, Roger is still fighting for Grand Slams, because is so nice to watch them fighting for the history. I mean, we (other players) just do what we can against them. But Novak has everything to make records in this sport.”

EXTRAS 🔍📊🎤

Grand Slam Titles 🏆 (Updated):

Federer - 20

Nadal - 17

Djokovic - 14

Sampras - 14

Emerson - 12

Laver - 11

Borg - 11

All-time Prize Money 💰(Updated):

Djokovic - $119M

Federer - $117M

Nadal - $102M

Djokovic is back to No.3 in the world, less than 500 points behind Federer and 2300 behind Nadal. He is also No.2 in the ATP race to London, only 1000 points behind Nadal.

The ranking of Nadal @ 1, Federer @ 2, Djokovic @ 3, is a mirror of the September 2008 rankings. The more things change…

This is Djokovic’s first slam title where he didn't have to face Nadal, Federer or Murray.

Overall Slam Winning % (Updated):

Borg - 89.81%

Nadal - 87.28%

Djokovic - 86.29%

Federer - 86.26%

Djokovic was 7/7 on smashes today. #RIPDjokosmash?

Kevin Anderson @KAndersonATP Congrats on another @usopen title @DjokerNole! Your determination and perseverance is inspiring.



Also inspiring - @delpotrojuan, after everything you’ve been through, I know I’m not alone when I say I’m happy to see you back on this stage.

— Fellow pro’s/sportsmen congratulate Delpo and Novak.

— TFW people are saying Carlos Ramos should be fired.

— One of the last remaining eastern grips on tour, and one of the finest, and most powerful, forehands in the history of this sport.

— Two of the truest friends on tour.

— The agony 😢…

— …and the ecstasy.

— A nice, pre-ceremony, gesture from Novak.

— Your 2018 US Open Champion.

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