ATP Finals Flashback: Novak Djokovic downs Nikolay Davydenko to lift the trophy

After failing to win a set against David Ferrer, Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal on his Masters Cup debut in 2007, Novak Djokovic was ready to compete on a much higher level in Shanghai in the following season. Novak spent the entire 2008 as world no. 3, claiming four titles and lifting his first Major crown at the Australian Open, together with two Masters 1000 trophies. Determined to show his class at the last edition of the Masters Cup in Shanghai, Novak defeated Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 7-5 in an hour and 43 minutes on November 16 to lift another big trophy at 21. Rafael Nadal had to withdraw from the event, opening the door for Gilles Simon, who joined Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the draw for the first Masters Cup tournament with two French players since 1986! There was an interesting scenario with alternates, with no one from the top-20 willing to travel to Shanghai and wait for a chance, leaving Radek Stepanek and Nicolas Kiefer hoping for an opportunity to play the premium ATP event.

In Red Group, Roger Federer had failed to pass the round-robin stage for the only time at the Masters Cup, losing to Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 before beating Radek Stepanek (he replaced Andy Roddick after the first round) 7-6, 6-4 to stay in contention. On the last day of the round-robin action, Andy Murray took down Roger 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 to send the Swiss out after five straight finals reached at this tournament, with the Briton and the Frenchman advancing into the semis. There were some incredibly tight matches in Gold Group, with many tie breaks and chances for all to go through. Novak Djokovic defeated Nikolay Davydenko and Juan Martin del Potro to qualify before losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. In one of the most dramatic clashes, Nikolay Davydenko ousted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 and toppled Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 6-3 to join Novak in the last four.

There, Novak needed two hours and 52 minutes to prevail against Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, setting the second encounter against Davydenko when the Russian defeated Andy Murray 7-5, 6-2. As we already said, the Serb defeated the Russian 6-1, 7-5 in the title match to lift the trophy, fending off three out of four break chances and delivering four breaks from 11 opportunities to find himself over the top.

Novak Djokovic claimed the first Masters Cup title in Shanghai in 2008.

Novak had more winners, fewer unforced errors and more mistakes that he forced from Nikolay's racquet. He outplayed the rival entirely in the shortest and mid-range exchanges to seal the deal in straight sets and secure already his sixth notable title in a young career. Nikolay served at 47%, and his initial shot was under constant pressure, unable to impose his strokes and move Djokovic from the comfort zone or draw more errors from the youngster. It was a solid resistance from the Russian in the second set, giving his best to level the score at 5-5 before Novak claimed the last two games to seal the deal and finish the season on a high note.

Djokovic broke in the second game after a backhand error from Davydenko, holding at love with an incredible forehand crosscourt winner to move 3-0 up after just ten minutes. Finding nothing in his arsenal that would keep him in the rallies, Nikolay sprayed another backhand mistake to give serve away and fall 4-0 behind, with Novak landing an ace that propelled him 5-0 in front. Davydenko finally held in game six after deuce to avoid complete disaster, wasting two break chances in the next one and allowing Novak to close the set with a perfect backhand crosscourt bullet that drew an error from the Russian for 6-1. The youngster grabbed another break in the second set's third game following an incredible defense, landing an ace a few minutes later to open up a 6-1, 3-1 advantage after swift 54 minutes.

Nikolay fended off two break chances in game five to remain within one break deficit, facing two match points on serve at 3-5. He saved those with brave hitting and held thanks to a service winner that pulled him back to 4-5. Untroubled on serve so far, Djokovic lost his focus a bit in the tenth game, hitting a double fault to give serve away and keep Nikolay in contention in the set's closing stages. Nonetheless, Novak was determined to finish the job without playing a decider, breaking at 15 in game 11 when Davydenko netted a forehand and hitting two winners on serve to move over the top and celebrate the title in what was the Masters Cup's last edition held in Shanghai.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3olCInJ