Djokovic rules in Rome published: Monday | May 12, 2008
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning a point during his men's final match against Stanislas Wawrinka, of Switzerland, at the Rome Masters tennis tournament, in Rome, yesterday. Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. - AP
ROME (AP):
Novak Djokovic already displayed his prowess on hard courts this season. Now, he's shown he's capable of dominating on clay too.
Djokovic won the 10th title of his career yesterday, rallying to beat unseeded Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Rome Masters.
"I was aiming for Rome and Roland Garros as my two priorities on clay courts this season," Djokovic said. "Now I have more confidence approaching big events on clay, and other surfaces as well."
This tournament was an important clay-court warm-up for the French Open, which begins in two weeks.
The third-ranked Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his first Grand Slam title, then captured the Masters Series event in Indian Wells, California, in March.
Djokovic's third victory of 2008 will move him within 310 points of second-ranked Rafael Nadal in the ATP rankings.
A dream come true
"This year has been like a dream for me, but I want to continue. I want to finish the year as number one - in the race," Djokovic said with a big grin, as if he was almost amused at his own precociousness.
Djokovic is already on top of the ATP Race rankings, which coincide with the actual rankings at the end of the year.
Djokovic, who will turn 21 later this month, has been winning more than top-ranked Roger Federer and Nadal lately. He reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open to end 2007, and has followed his win in Melbourne by taking two of the four Masters Series events this year so far.
Nadal was upset by Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round in Rome, and Federer fell to Radek Stepanek in the quarter-finals.
Struggling
"Everybody got used to Federer and Nadal playing the finals of every major event," Djokovic said. "Mentally, they're struggling because there is so much pressure and so much expectation that they have to be in the final on every surface and in every tournament that they play."
Djokovic faced pressure yesterday as the favorite against Wawrinka, who was playing his first Masters Series final.
"If I really want to stay on the top of men's tennis, I need to get used to those things," Djokovic said.
Djokovic improved to 8-1 on clay this season and 25-5 overall. At the Monte Carlo Masters last month, Djokovic retired from his semi-final match with Federer due to strep throat. The Serb showed no signs of sickness this week, although many other players did.
Both Djokovic and Wawrinka advanced to the final when their semi-final opponents retired. First, Andy Roddick pulled out with a back problem against Wawrinka, then Stepanek quit with apparent heat stroke against Djokovic.
Russia's Dinara Safina returns the ball during her match against contry woman Elena Dementieva during the final of the German Open tennis tournament in Berlin, yesterday. Safina won 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 to take the title. - AP
Djokovic rules in Rome
published: Monday | May 12, 2008
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning a point during his men's final match against Stanislas Wawrinka, of Switzerland, at the Rome Masters tennis tournament, in Rome, yesterday. Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. - AP
ROME (AP):
Novak Djokovic already displayed his prowess on hard courts this season. Now, he's shown he's capable of dominating on clay too.
Djokovic won the 10th title of his career yesterday, rallying to beat unseeded Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Rome Masters.
"I was aiming for Rome and Roland Garros as my two priorities on clay courts this season," Djokovic said. "Now I have more confidence approaching big events on clay, and other surfaces as well."
This tournament was an important clay-court warm-up for the French Open, which begins in two weeks.
The third-ranked Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his first Grand Slam title, then captured the Masters Series event in Indian Wells, California, in March.
Djokovic's third victory of 2008 will move him within 310 points of second-ranked Rafael Nadal in the ATP rankings.
A dream come true
"This year has been like a dream for me, but I want to continue. I want to finish the year as number one - in the race," Djokovic said with a big grin, as if he was almost amused at his own precociousness.
Djokovic is already on top of the ATP Race rankings, which coincide with the actual rankings at the end of the year.
Djokovic, who will turn 21 later this month, has been winning more than top-ranked Roger Federer and Nadal lately. He reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open to end 2007, and has followed his win in Melbourne by taking two of the four Masters Series events this year so far.
Nadal was upset by Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round in Rome, and Federer fell to Radek Stepanek in the quarter-finals.
Struggling
"Everybody got used to Federer and Nadal playing the finals of every major event," Djokovic said. "Mentally, they're struggling because there is so much pressure and so much expectation that they have to be in the final on every surface and in every tournament that they play."
Djokovic faced pressure yesterday as the favorite against Wawrinka, who was playing his first Masters Series final.
"If I really want to stay on the top of men's tennis, I need to get used to those things," Djokovic said.
Djokovic improved to 8-1 on clay this season and 25-5 overall. At the Monte Carlo Masters last month, Djokovic retired from his semi-final match with Federer due to strep throat. The Serb showed no signs of sickness this week, although many other players did.
Both Djokovic and Wawrinka advanced to the final when their semi-final opponents retired. First, Andy Roddick pulled out with a back problem against Wawrinka, then Stepanek quit with apparent heat stroke against Djokovic.
Russia's Dinara Safina returns the ball during her match against contry woman Elena Dementieva during the final of the German Open tennis tournament in Berlin, yesterday. Safina won 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 to take the title. - AP