The old Novak’s back and ready to grumble
RANTING in the face of defeat, complaining about the start time — the return of an authentically competitive Novak Djokovic was welcome yesterday as he reminded everyone of how good he can be.
The Serb turned back the clock against Rafael Nadal, but it was not quite far enough as the clay court king emerged a 7-6, 6-3 victor in a supreme quality Italian Open semi-final that was a throwback to the past.
Their 51st meeting suggested that people might be wrong to automatically book Nadal in for yet another French Open title, or even more so Roger Federer for another Wimbledon.
The match was put back half an hour after Djokovic (right) moaned about the previous day’s scheduling, which saw him have six hours less rest than his rival. He moaned again afterwards but had much to be pleased about overall. ‘I don’t think there was that much of a difference, which is great news for me,’ said Djokovic, who was beaten by Britain’s Kyle Edmund at the Madrid Open last week. Nadal identified many of the attributes in his opponent that have survived his elbow problems and an apparent lack of motivation at time since winning in Paris two years ago. ‘I’ve seen a few of his matches here and this is the best week he has had this season,’ said Nadal. ‘I think he is ready for Roland Garros. Today I played one of the best players in the history of the sport. ‘He takes the ball early and it’s very difficult to move him from the baseline. ‘He changes the direction of the ball very easily. You still have to play your best to beat him.’
When it got underway Nadal saved two break points early on to move to 5-2 before a furious fightback from Djokovic, who is currently ranked 18 in the world but who will now drop out of the top 20, only temporarily on this form. Completely transformed from the lethargic and listless figure we saw in March, he came desperately close to winning the first set until Nadal pulled away in its last few points, clinching it with a backhand return winner scorched down the line.
Djokovic was furious, castigating himself and his support team at the changeover, but the hidden compliment to him was that he had driven Nadal to heights not seen from him so far in this clay season.
Nadal was at his brutal best and needed to be, but was often repulsed by a Djokovic backhand that looks in fine working order.
An exception was the third game of the second set, where his level dropped and he was broken to love. The Spaniard was left awaiting the winner of the second semi-final between Marin Cilic and the massively in-form Alex Zverev. Nadal will reclaim the world No1 spot if he wins today’s final.
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares slipped to an agonising defeat in the doubles semi-final, losing 7-6 3-6 10-8 to Colombia’s Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah, having been up a break in the first set.