Two weeks ago in Miami, Novak Djokovic thumped Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3 in the Sony Open final. The tennis review looks at just how the world number 2 took apart the world number 1.
The Serve:
Novak started a little shaky on his serve, being taken to deuce in the first game. He got through it though, and never looked back. Meanwhile Nadal started off the match stronger on service percentages but his level dropped as his opponent’s rose.
While both men had a first serve percentage of 71 percent, Djokovic led the points won on first serve by 85 to 59 percent. Djokovic also led on second service points won by 57 to 46 percent.
Most tellingly though, Djokovic converted 3 of 4 break points while Nadal had one chance and failed to take it.
The return:
Djokovic won 40 percent of points on the return on Nadal’s first serve and 53 percent on his second. His return also came into effect in the first set when he hit two huge returns at 2-2 to earn the break of serve and establish his dominance in the match.
The forehand:
It was as much to do with what Novak did with his forehand as what he did not allow Nadal to do with his. In the first four games, Nadal was outhitting Djokovic on the forehand wing.
But at 2-2, 15-30 the Djokovic forehand made the difference as he struck it down the line and then cross court on the line to get the break point.
The Nadal forehand did strike a valuable winner to save a break point at 1-3 down in the second, but it was one of few moments of glory for the Spaniard’s signature shot.
Backhand:
The Djokovic weapon was as solid as ever, if not better. It was a backhand cross court winner that earned Djokovic the first break in the second set. It was the final shot in a long rally of deep, flat penetrating ground-strokes of both sides which eventually forced Nadal to go down the line on his forehand straight into Djokovic’s hitting zone. With the court open, Djokovic went cross court on the backhand and had a one set and a break lead.
Djokovic hit the backhand flat to Nadal’s forehand over and over, denying him the high bouncing balls he likes to generate spin with. That tactic worked for example with Djokovic leading 5-3 in the second set to get a 0-30 lead on Nadal’s serve.
Winners to errors:
Djokovic kept his winner count high, at 22, and his error count low, at 14. Nadal meanwhile was 15-20.
Net game:
At 2-2, Djokovic served out wide, came in on the short return and thumped a backhand down the line and then picked up the floating return with a backhand volley that dipped into the court.
And it was a half volley winner that won Djokovic Championship point, ending one of the longest rallies of the match. It was Djokovic’s 6th winner at the net, compared to 2 from Nadal.
Confidence:
Djokovic came into the match having beaten Federer in the Indian wells final. He had also beaten Nadal in their last two finals. Now having established himself as the best hardcourt player on the tour once more, Djokovic goes into the Clay season with his confidence peaking.
That also happened in 2011 when Djokovic also claimed the Indian Wells-Miami double. He went on that season to beat Nadal on clay in Madrid and Rome.
With his confidence as high as it is, Djokovic has a chance to repeat that achievement. And, maybe better it. Novak Djokovic 2014 Roland Garros Champion anyone?
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