Djokovic digs deep to outgun Raonic
IT has been missing for a while but Novak Djokovic rediscovered his warrior spirit to tame Canada’s Milos Raonic 7-6(6) 7-6(5) in a riveting duel and guarantee progress from his group at the ATP World Tour finals in London on Tuesday.
The Serb’s recent malaise has cost him the world No 1 ranking he held for 122 weeks but when backed into a corner by an inspired Raonic, he responded in the belligerent manner that has earned him 12 grand slam titles.
World No 4 Raonic threw the kitchen sink at the elasticlimbed Serb for two hours and 14 minutes, striking 42 winners and 14 aces but Djokovic, aiming for a fifth consecutive title at the year-ender, was equal to everything – just.
Having edged a high-intensity first set when Raonic double-faulted on set point, Djokovic looked to have broken the shackles in the second to lead 4-2.
Raonic, who dialled up his mighty serve to speeds of 225km/h, stormed back to rock Djokovic on his heels and came within a missed forehand of extending the match into a decider. But Djokovic produced a magical backhand flick at 5-5, then an ace, before Raonic succumbed to an eighth successive defeat at the hands of the Serb when his backhand flew wide.
With two wins in the bag, Djokovic, 29, whose form has tailed off since winning the French Open in June, is assured of a semifinal spot, although, with 200 ranking points on offer in his final group match against Gael Monfils, he will not be letting up.
Raonic will be favourite to beat Dominic Thiem and reach the semis too, although the Austrian will be heartened by his 6-3 1-6 6-4 defeat of fellow debutant Monfils earlier.
“I managed to hang in there mentally and stay strong and believed that the opportunities would come,” Djokovic said.
He needs to better Andy Murray’s performance to reclaim the top ranking.
Earlier, Thiem, 23, withstood a fightback from Monfils to become the first Austrian to win a match at the event since Thomas Muster back in 1996. – Reuters