ATP Finals Flashback: Novak Djokovic edges Gilles Simon in almost three hours

Novak Djokovic made the Masters Cup debut in 2007, losing all matches in straight sets and returning stronger a year later. Novak spent the entire 2008 season ranked third behind Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, claiming the maiden Major title in Melbourne at 21 and adding two Masters 1000 trophies to his tally. Making his second appearance in Shanghai - and the last, with the event moving to London from 2009 - Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro for his first victory at this competition. Gathering momentum, the Serb prevailed over Nikolay Davydenko to advance into the semis despite the loss in the last round-robin clash against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, setting the clash against another Frenchman Gilles Simon in the battle for the final. After two hours and 52 minutes, Novak prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 for his first Masters Cup final, scoring his first victory over Gilles from two encounters. The Serb won 11 points more, delivering better numbers behind the second serve and fending off six out of eight break chances.

Novak converted three out of 14 opportunities on the return, taking the last two games at 5-5 in the decider to advance and set a Nikolay Davydenko clash. Djokovic was the more aggressive player, hitting around 40 winners and 55 unforced errors and forcing 45 mistakes from Simon to find the way towards the finish line. The persistent Frenchman secured a break in the third game after forcing an error from the Serb and confirmed the break in the next one with a forehand down the line winner. Serving well, Simon opened a 5-3 lead with a service winner and wasted four set points in game nine.

In 2008, Nocak Djokovic prevailed over Gilles Simon at the Masters Cup. 

Novak survived that game but Gilles remained focused to deliver a hold at 30 at 5-4 to wrap up the opener, moving a set away from the Masters Cup final on his debut. The Frenchman received the medical timeout on his neck after the second set's third game and got broken in the next one to fall 3-1 down.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Djokovic blasted a service winner to wrap up the set and bring a decider, winning some incredible rallies and becoming the favorite ahead of the decider. Novak wasted a break chance at the beginning of the final set, fixing that two games later when he grabbed a break following Gilles' forehand error at the net. Returning at 3-1, Djokovic wasted four break opportunities that could have sent him closer to the finish line, undergoing treatment on his left leg during the break. Simon held at love in the ninth game to prolong the match and broke back a few minutes later to level the score at 5-5 following Djokovic's double fault. Remaining calm, the Serb grabbed another break in game 11 and sealed the deal with a perfect drop at 6-5 to celebrate the win and move into the final. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2L5FrDD