David Goffin: 'Facing Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo was something..'

Asked about his most incredible Masters 1000 memory, David Goffin mentioned Monte Carlo 2017 and back-to-back encounters against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The Belgian trailed 4-2 in the deciding set against Novak in the quarters before performing a remarkable comeback, securing the semi-final berth and giving his best against Rafael Nadal in his kingdom. David toppled Novak 6-2 3-6 7-5 in two hours and 37 minutes, beating world no. 2 for the first time in six encounters. Novak struggled to find his form for the entire week, barely surviving tests against Gilles Simon and Pablo Carreno Busta and falling to the Belgian despite having everything in his hands in the decider. Thus, Djokovic extended his miserable run that season after winning Doha, notching only seven wins at the Australian Open, Acapulco, Indian Wells and Monte Carlo and never reaching the semi-final. Almost nothing could separate David and Novak as they won 105 points each.

Still, Goffin was more effective on the second serve return to create 17 break chances, converting four to edge the big rival and set the clash against another. David finished the match with 29 winners and 35 unforced errors while Novak stood on a more positive 37-38 ratio that wasn't enough to carry him through. Being a more aggressive player, Djokovic had the advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes (56-45), losing ground in those that lasted five or more shots (61-48 for the Belgian in that segment). Goffin played composed and well-balanced tennis to wrap up the opener 6-2 in 31 minutes, delivering breaks in games one and five and bringing it home with a beautiful backhand down the line winner at 5-2. Djokovic broke at love in the fourth game of the second set, wasting two set points on the return at 5-2 but closing the set a few minutes later to force a decider.

David Goffin believes his biggest Masters 1000 win came against Novak Djokovic.

The final set lasted for almost 80 minutes, with incredible tennis on both sides. Djokovic grabbed a break in the first game, creating two more opportunities at 2-0. Goffin saved those to remain within one break deficit, creating five break chances in game six that Novak repelled to stay in front. David pulled the break back in game eight with a beautiful backhand down the line winner, starting to play attacking tennis that pushed Novak to do limits in every point. The Belgian held at 5-5 after two deuces, forcing Djokovic to serve for staying in the encounter. Just like in that sixth game, it turned out to be a real drama, with five match points up for grabs for David, who finally converted the last one to celebrate his most significant win so far in a career up to that point. In the semis, Rafael Nadal toppled Goffin in straight sets after that famous chair umpire's mistake.

"In Monte Carlo 2017, the win against Novak Djokovic was a great one, with an excellent atmosphere on a great center court. I was playing very well and made a good result, losing to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. Everything was there, so it is one of the greatest memories I have there," David Goffin said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2IfSZe5