David Goffin: 'Novak Djokovic and I played a great match in Miami 2016'

David Goffin achieved his first notable result at the Masters 1000 series in Rome 2015, losing to David Ferrer in three sets in the Rome quarter-final. The next March, the Belgian competed on a high level during the 'Sunshine Double,' advancing into the semis in Indian Wells and Miami. Milos Raonic ousted him in the desert in three sets, and there was another entertaining encounter waiting for David in the last four in Miami, facing the defending champion and world no. 1 Novak Djokovic. The Belgian gave his best but it wasn't enough at least for a set, with the Serb advancing to his third straight Miami title match following a 7-6, 6-4 triumph in two hours and five minutes. It was a clash under a boiling Florida sun and high humidity, not the conditions Novak likes the most. Still, he survived all the challenges to advance into the 11th consecutive Masters 1000 final! Djokovic wasn't at his best, struggling physically after numerous more extended exchanges.

The Belgian had the right tactic, staying aggressive and not letting Novak dominate the points with his usual pace. Djokovic had to dig deep right from the start, facing three break points in the match's opening game. He saved them all for an essential early hold, with both players settling into a nice rhythm behind the initial shot in the next couple of games. Goffin faced troubles on serve in game six, in by far the longest game of the clash. He held after six deuces and two break points saved, playing brave and well-balanced tennis to remain on the positive side. It gave him a significant boost, scoring a break at 15 in the next game to move 4-3 in front. Goffin's lead was shortly-lived, though, as Djokovic broke back in the next game to level the score at 4-4. Novak would usually gather momentum after that, but David was here to fight until the last point. Each player produced a couple of holds before the set reached a well-deserved tie break, the best way to deserve the winner.

In 2016, Novak Djokovic prevailed over David Goffin in Miami semi-final.

Novak had an early 4-2 lead when David took the next two points, having a great chance to go 5-4 up. The Belgian had the most comfortable smash but sent it right to the Novak's racquet, and the Serb was able to prolong the extend the point and bring it home. It was probably the most critical rally of the entire clash, as it would be hard for Novak to come back in those conditions had he lost the opener. Djokovic stayed calm and grab the tie break 7-5, mighty relieved and with a boost ahead of set number two. It was hard to believe that David could keep the opening set level, especially after a tight tie break. Still, he gave everything he had, establishing strong resistance in the second set. Goffin was the first to earn a break chance in game four when Novak wasted a 40-15 lead. David couldn't convert it, though, never creating damage on the return in the remaining games. Novak grabbed a break in the seventh game, and it was enough to carry him over the top.

"It's not easy to choose my dream Masters 1000 match, but it would be Novak Djokovic in the Indian Wells final. It is the best challenge you can have. He won Indian Wells and Miami so many times. I played against him in Miami 2016 semi-final and it was a great one. If it were in the final of Indian Wells, it would be even better to have that challenge. Also, I would love to face Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo final," David Goffin said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/356JqHF