Novak Djokovic ties Rafael Nadal's ultimate Masters 1000 record

At the end of 2010, the 24-year-old Rafael Nadal stood on 18 Masters 1000 titles, matching Roger Federer's and Andre Agassi's record and looking good to dominate the premium ATP series. Novak Djokovic had five Masters 1000 trophies in his collection ahead of 2011, securing five in his first glorious season and starting to melt the deficit to Nadal and others. The Serb became the player to beat at this series, delivering incredible tennis between Indian Wells and Paris, on different surfaces and parts of the season. After Madrid 2014, Rafa was nine titles in front of Novak (27 to 18) but that would all change in the following years, as Djokovic claimed no less than ten trophies in 2015 and 2016. Ready to strike back, Nadal grabbed five crowns in 2017 and 2018, regaining the Masters 1000 throne and finishing the previous season with one title more on his tally than Novak.

The Serb needed only one chance to tie Nadal's record of 35 Masters 1000 trophies, lifting the crown on Saturday in Cincinnati (played in New York) to follow the Spaniard's pace and join him at the top. Playing for the first time since Dubai in February, Novak defeated Ricardas Berankis, Tennys Sandgren, Jan-Lennard Struff and Roberto Bautista Agut to advance into the 51st Masters 1000 final. In the semi, Bautista Agut served for the win at 6-5 in the final set, only to suffer a break and lose the tie break 7-0, propelling Djokovic towards the clash against Milos Raonic. The Canadian played for his first Masters 1000 title, leaving everything on the court and still finishing with the second prize. After an entertaining battle, Djokovic scored a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph in two hours, securing the 35th Masters 1000 title and the second Career Golden Masters. Novak started all over after a terrible opening set, feeling better on the court and coming from a break down in the final set to cross the finish line first.

Novak Djokovic matched Rafael Nadal's record of 35 Masters 1000 titles. 

Milos was the player to beat in the first set, taking 27 out of 41 points and stealing Novak's serve twice to seal it 6-1 in half an hour. Struggling physically, Djokovic served at 47% and gave away almost 60% of the initial shot points to push the Canadian in front. Raonic wasted a break chance in game two, improving that two games later when Djokovic missed a backhand. Milos fired a forehand down the line winner to confirm the advantage and build a 4-1 lead, securing another break in game six when Novak hit a double fault and bringing the set home with an ace for a 6-1. Raising his level and feeling better on the court in set number two, Djokovic lost eight points in five service games, challenging Raonic to match those numbers. Milos wasted a game point at 2-3 and that would cost him dearly, allowing Novak to score his first break and move in front.

Djokovic secured the set after Raonic's forehand error at 5-3, becoming the favorite ahead of the decider. Milos held at love in the first game of the final set and clinched a break at 15 to open a 2-0 gap, taking a big step towards the crown. The battle was far from over, though, as Djokovic took charge to erase the deficit and gain momentum. The Serb rattled off 16 of the next 20 points, earning breaks in games three and five and holding at 15 for a 4-2 advantage. Serving for the title at 5-4, Novak Djokovic saved a break chance and forced an error from the Canadian to move over the top and earn the second Career Golden Masters.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/31E0FhD