Djokovic, lurking

Novak Djokovic is closer to regain first place in the ranking. The victory in the final of the Shanghai Masters 1000 allowed long distance shrink with Roger Federer, the current leader, who from today will have a lead of just 195 over the Serb. But it was not easy for Nole getting his first tournament crown in Chinese. He had to fight for nearly three hours and saving five match points against to defeat 5-7, 7-6 (13-11), 6-3 to Andy Murray. In the first set, both players risked a lot with their services and prioritized aggressive play, which led to mistakes. The result was a pure partial breakdown: seven in all. Djokovic could have taken the sleeve when, in the tenth game, came close to staying with the breakdown of the British. But they took advantage. In the next game, Murray got a new break and then took over the set. The Serb was pure frustration and vented his anger throwing his racket to the ground. Thus started the second race. Murray continued to play close to the limit with swift movements and adjusting their strokes to the lines, while the Serb was not around the match. The Scot took the opportunity to take a 5-4 lead and had a chance to serve for the match. But when pulled with the score 30-0, Nole pulled out of the hat one Big Willy , saved a championship point and began his comeback. After getting a break in the tenth game , to match all five, Djokovic took the definition to the tiebreaker , which Murray ordered another four match points (when I was up 6-4, 6-5, 8-7 and 10 -9). But the world number two lost his cool, saved them all and then took over the set, to keep title hopes alive. That partial victory gave a great jerk Nole mood. In the final quarter, the Serb was very confident with his serve and did not have many problems to impose their game. Murray, affected by cramps in his left leg, lost his serve in the seventh game. And in the ninth, breaking the Serb again and sealed the outcome. For the Scots, was his first defeat in Shanghai tournament that was crowned in 2010 and 2011. "It is difficult to determine who was the best in the end, as it was very even at all times," admitted Djokovic, who won the 33rd trophy of his career and the fifth year. In addition, the title of Shanghai, its 13th in a Masters 1000, it became the only player to win seven of the nine tournaments this category. Besides the Chinese pageant, was crowned in Canada, Miami, Rome, Madrid, Paris and Indian Wells. Now, the Serb will focus on the European indoor tour which will seek to "find consistent results to have the option of returning to first place in the ranking. It's my biggest goal right now . " And every time, is closer to fulfilling it.

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Djokovic, heart and comeback: Shanghai is its

The signs were there the dates already in mid-January, when after 5 hours Djokovic was able to establish itself in fifth place in Melbourne. Then Miami, the Olympic semifinals of Wimbledon and especially the final of the U.S. Open, where Murray found little more than a month ago his first slam of his career. That Djokovic-Murray was the rivalry more beautiful and spectacular of 2012 confirm it comes to the challenge of today's Shanghai, the most exciting Masters 1000 final of the year. To impose is Novak Djokovic, who as a cat pulls out of the abyss only to the seventh and final life, canceling five match points to Murray in the second set before winning 6-3 in the third and decisive game. For he is the first Masters 1000 in mainland China, and we are sure to conquer so after two defeats against their burning Murray will definitely have a special flavor.

INTENSITY 'DEVASTATING NATURAL - A strange game and incredibly intense from the first exchange to Shanghai. Djokovic and Murray, in fact, decide to take a pallate from the first fifteen trying to go head race. Djokovic shows his proverbial recoveries, Murray shows off all its progress in 2012 showing proactive and also won many points with straight but, above all, the two players are given in battle in response. E'probabilmente this fact the main cause - together with percentages with the first not exciting for both - which bears the abutment to be torn for a total of 7 times in September 1 To win a war of nerves that ends with a racket literally devastated by Novak Djokovic (a boy should enter the field with a broom and dustpan at the end of the outburst by Serbia to collect "debris" left in the field) is probably the player deserves it more in the first set: Andy Murray. The Scot manages to get out of a difficult situation in the tenth game - Djokovic 0-30 and two points from the set - and then brekkare eleventh five consecutive points when they fade into nothing on the 40-0 which was the boy in Belgrade.

THE SEVEN LIVES OF NOVAK DJOKOVIC - With an unwritten agreement signed by both physically devastating at the end of the first set, the second shows a more meager tennis, made ​​up of shorter trade and services certainly more functional. The game run faster to break Murray's seventh game that breaks the balance and sends him to Scotland to race head. Olympic champion leads the game, the Serb holding the pressure at 5-4 and snaps the spring that is probably running the game in favor of the boy in Belgrade: Djokovic wins a point in fact long with a dropshot of superb quality and, after canceling the first match ball at Murray falls to 5-5. The set thus dragging the tie-break. As in the first set of New York City fighting is devastating: Murray obtains other four match points but Djokovic is almost always perfect nell'annullarli taking risks that ultimately pay. And 'in fact the Serb to close with a slap on the fly the 24th point of the tie-break (13-11) and bring the race equality when the trophy seemed to have already taken a flight to London.

THE COLLAPSE OF PHYSICAL MURRAY - Murray proves to be definitely grown on a psychological level and there and then does not give Djokovic a chance to escape in the third and decisive set, but when the head is not to betray, arrives for the Scottish physicist. The three hours of intense game are felt more in the muscles than in the Murray Djokovic who, driven by adrenaline of a game that seemed lost, gives the feeling of being able to play another 3 hours. The Scot goes towards finding winning pure arm tactics but holds only up to 3-3. Djokovic is there, in fact the decisive thrust tearing the service, confirming the break to stop and close the tournament raising again the point in Murray. It 's the 6-3 final that pays (in part) of the Serbian disappointment at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows and so gives us a season finale that promises fireworks. After a 2012 in which four slam are over four different players, the Finals in London will be more than ever indicator of the true protagonist of the year. Federer, Djokovic and Murray, in strict order of rank, are advised.

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Djokovic-Murray final in Shanghai

Fulminated Djokovic Berdych 6-3, 6-4 in 85 minutes to reach the final for the first time in this tournament, while Murray, winner of the past two years, sentenced to Federer 6-4, 6-4, in 98 minutes in a repeat of the recent Wimbledon finals and London Olympics. The big remaining Murray was instrumental in the tenth victory over Federer (10-8 overall and 6-1 in Masters 1000) in one of the classics of the sport. The Scot has always played well at the end of the year, but this time was made in Shanghai with an aggressiveness that was lacking, perhaps because it has gained in confidence after getting his first major in New York. In the rest, deep and devastating to take the initiative, based on its strategy of Dunblane to steal service three times world number one after having eleven times. Federer committed five double faults, some of them at key moments and in the fifth game of the second set, and 33 unforced errors. The match was interrupted by rain with 5-4 to Murray and serve in the second set. And the retractable roof Qi Zhong Stadium closed its eight plates in sheets of the lotus flower, for the first time this year. The heavy rain forced a flock of 30 workers jumped the track to dry while players had retreated to the locker room. After 35 minutes of waiting, Murray served to win the game and did wisely to improve its record in the Chinese economic capital with all wins, 12. His victory over Federer Rafael Nadal in Spanish protect shared with the Swiss record 1000 Masters titles tied at 21. Earlier, in a powerful show of strength and definition in his punches, the Australia Open champion earned his tenth win against Berdych, 9-0 on hard courts in one hour and 26 minutes. Masters Cup winner in the 2008 edition was held also in the Qi Zhong Stadium (then defeated Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the final) "Nole", has reached the end without dropping a set. The duel was to frame exchanges, with an insulting domain Djokovic barely gave the Czech margin in the first 20 minutes to stand with 5-1. But just as he was about to apuntillar Djokovic the match ball in the first set, double-faulted and Tomas came after the only break in his box. The joy was short-lived when Czech player who delivered the first set in 43 minutes after having disposed of a breaking ball in the ninth game. In the second Djokovic broke back in the third game and this was enough to lead him to victory at the first opportunity, with one-off spot. The Serb ended with five "aces", 25 winners and only 19 unforced errors. "He's the best receiver circuit and track their movements are incredible. Those two things are much for my game," admitted Berdych defeated. "I like to play aggressive and make others run, but that he did not hurt much.'s The second player in the world, trying to be first. Now it's hard to find a way to win and have a winning record against him" , said the Czech. Semifinalist twice, in 2009 against Andy Murray, Roger Federer and 2011 against the Serbian player had left before the road to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Spanish Feliciano Lopez and German Tommy Haas. And now Murray will face in search of the fifth title of the season, and after adding 69 victory of the year. "I'm ready for tomorrow with anyone touch me," Djokovic said before knowing who would be his opponent. "It's more aggressive, it shows on the track. Strike over right, that was not the best before. Has improved this year and that punch is more confident on the court, believes in himself. And there have come results. has won a Grand Slam, "Murray said of the Serb, recalling how the Scot has won in the last two occasions, in the semifinals of the Olympic Games and in the final of the U.S. Open. "I do not believe in the word revenge, I never like revenge. Just play tennis and try to win every game he played," said Djokovic, who will fight for the title number 13 of a Masters 1000 tournament.

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Shanghai Masters: Murray remains Federer's nightmare

Olympic champion Andy Murray is looking for a great semi-final appearance in the final of the Shanghai Masters. The Scot defeated world number one Roger Federer, with 6:4, 6:4 and kept his shot at the title hat-trick. In the finale of the doped with $ 3,530,000 ATP tournament meets Murray Novak Djokovic, who defeated the world number Seventh Thomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.Three double faults in a row, many "unforced errors" and a weather god who appeared unrepentant. The day of the "Qi Zhong Tennis Center" in Shanghai was forgotten for the world number one Roger Federer is now truly a for. Andy Murray, however, wanted to succeed in the teeming metropolis of almost everything. The much-anticipated semi-final between the current number three and number one was right on pace plenty. Federer, however, acted from the beginning to occur constantly, contributed to numerous errors and fell at his serve again in distress. Murray Federer attacked with strong returns, showed his exceptional defensive game and dominated the Swiss from the baseline. "He pitched his standards not very good, so I was able to go aggressive in his second serve," said the Scot, who could beat Federer in his last great triumph in the final of the Olympic Games. After break and re-break at the beginning of the game, it came with the score at 2-2 in the first set already for pre-decision. Federer allowed himself no less than three successive double faults. Not only in the audience shouted it produces a mixture of horror and disbelief. Murray also was not what happened after the game have really true. "I've seen him in his entire career just yet." Murray used the Federer-blackout and went with a 3-2 lead. Federer was due indeed hold his service games, the first sentence was, however, went so fast. Murray secured his first pass unchallenged by 6:4.

Rain interruptions do not help Federer

The second set began as the first had left off. Murray acted dominant and confident erspielte directly in charge Federer six break points. But then the rain began. Federer sought a dialogue with the chair umpire and called for a stoppage in play. The referee heard the pleas of the Swiss, however. He closed the hall roof and interrupted the match for six minutes. A little later it went. With the first and also best rally of the match to Federer took immediately after the restart, the advantage and turned an ace to win game. However, it should remain only a short gasp. The score is 2:2 40:0 Federer was already in the lead before Murray fought back, and the Swiss with two brilliant forehand Winnern the service game took off. Murray was able to maintain its service to the end and could not bring a new, nearly 30-minute rain delay from the rest. After a short "breather" in the cabin Murray won with a score of 6:4 and 5:4 his service game, and converted his first match point unchallenged for the final.

Hat-trick and number-1 race

Over the past two years, Andy Murray was in the teeming metropolis lift the trophy in the air. And so the Scot now has a unique opportunity to secure themselves the Shanghai title hat-trick. 2011 he won against Spaniard David Ferrer. In 2010 he won against Roger Federer prevailed. Federer's defeat means the battle for the No. 1 position in the world rankings a setback. His closest rival, Djokovic sits the Swiss now tight in the neck. However, Federer succeeded with his quarter-final collection already something special. One day after the final between Murray and Djokovic, he is in his 300th Weeks go as Numnmer 1 in the world.

READ MORE - Shanghai Masters: Murray remains Federer's nightmare

Federer, 300 weeks as number 1 Fly to the quarterfinals with Djokovic and Murray

New record in Shanghai beats countryman Wawrinka and make sure the 300 th week the top ATP. Tsonga exceeds for the first time in 2012 the 3rd round of a Masters 1000: beat Baghdatis, Berdych is. Well Nole: double 6-3 against Feliciano Lopez. Positive debut for the Scot: 6-2 6-2 to Dolgopolov. In Osaka out Zheng, seeded number 2. Beating with an exhausting 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-0 Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round of the Shanghai Masters 1000, Roger Federer ensures that you keep ahead of the world even at the end of this tournament, whatever its conclusion. Monday the Swiss will begin the week number 300 at the top of world tennis. A record that was already that since July, but the round figure makes it even more impressive. It is not over. Federer this year has the opportunity to match - this time only partially - another record of his youth idol, Pete Sampras: not close to the 2012 number 1, it would be for him the sixth season closed by the first player in the world , even if not consecutive (as instead managed to Sampras). Competition is tougher than ever, since Novak Djokovic remains the favorite for the number one at the end of the season.Waiting to better understand how close the year the Fab Four, in Shanghai the first big qualified for the quarter was Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: French, seeded fifth, arrives for the first time this season in the top eight of a Masters 1000. To achieve struggled more than expected losing service immediately, unless immediately recover the break and then close the 6-2 thanks to 12 unforced errors Baghdatis. In the second set the Cypriot causing problems Tsonga played better, but the tiebreak won the day the Alps.Friday Tsonga will face Tomas Berdych: czech suffered against Querrey won the third set (6-2 6-7 6-4). Cilic is also due to arrive in the third set to overcome the obstacle Verdasco: Spanish won the first set 6-4, then collapsed with a 6-1 6-4 Croatian secured the match comeback. No problem for Novak Djokovic: The Serbian defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-3 with a double by winning the fiftieth victory in 51 matches played against an opponent outside the top ten. Even less suffered the onset of Murray, who had passed the first two rounds without playing: the Scottish places a very high percentage of the first (73%) and yields Dolgopolov 6-2 6-2 in 57 minutes. The quarter Olympian will face Stepanek, who beat Isner in three sets (6-4 6-7 6-3). Last to qualify, the German Tommy Haas, the protagonist of a fast Tipsarevic 6-2 6-1 on an off. The second-seeded Zheng Jie, out in the second round in Osaka (indoor tournament WTA International from $ 220,000). The Chinese number 24 in the rankings, sold to the French Pauline Parmentier 6-3 6-4, in 73 th place in the ranking. Next, the young Heather Watson, 20 years old got the better of Spain's Medina Garrigues in three sets, losing the first in the tiebreak 6-2 6-3 and closing the later ones.Exceed the turn even the South African Scheepers beats noticeably Lucic in straight sets (6-2 6-2) and Laura Robson 6-4 with a double that gets rid of the Chinese Yi-Miao Zhou.

READ MORE - Federer, 300 weeks as number 1 Fly to the quarterfinals with Djokovic and Murray

Djokovic won in Beijing and celebrated with dancing

Novak Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in the Beijing Open final and celebrated in their own way: dancing the Gangnam Style with Chinese event volunteers. The Serb had already shown his qualities for dance in recent days, as the last weekend had danced the theme of South Korean rapper PSY with Nicolas Almagro in an exhibition in Taiwan. The number two world ranking scored his third consecutive title at the event in the Chinese capital and arrives in good shape at the Shanghai Masters 1000 which begins tomorrow

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A Beijing will be Djokovic vs. Tsonga

ATP BEIJING

After lifting the trophy in 2010 and 2011, Novak Djokovic goes in search of the triplet to the China Open. The Serb, number 2 of the ATP rankings and first seeded on the board, they got rid of rather simple German Florian Mayer in straight sets, with partial 6-1 6-4. For Djokovic, waited hours to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (who in turn passed the turn thanks to the withdrawal of Feliciano Lopez for an injury to the wrist), it is the ninth in the final season won three (including title defense Australian Open), and against the French in the lead to 7-5 in head to head. "Tsonga is a very powerful player - said Djoker in the post-match press conference -. Has a great service, excellent fundamentals, a right that hurts and that makes him able to win against anyone on any surface." "Today I played well even though Feliciano had some problems - has instead added Tsonga, who at the time of withdrawal of the opponent was leading 6-1 4-1 -. It 'been a good week, I reached a form that I had to months, and this is basically the reason why I was able to get to the final. " For the French it is the third final of the year has already won in Doha and Metz, in the house.

ATP TOKYO

The final tournament will be one of the Japanese idol Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic. The Japanese eliminated in straight sets quite comfortable Marcos Baghdatis in little more than an hour of play with the score 6-2 6-2. The service of Cypriot is hard to get and so the Japanese took the opportunity to attack him, especially on the second serve. The surprise, however, is the departure of Andy Murray, the defending champion and seeded first in the tournament. The Scot was defeated in three fought sets with a score of 6-3 6-7 (5) 7-6 (4). "I wanted to start the match in the best way - regrets Murray - would help me. But he played well, the service helped him a lot, especially in the first two sets. It 'was hard for me."

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Djokovic "in the 2011 version" destroys Del Potro

If a week and a half of crumbs to the opponents was not enough, after the match last night the U.S. Open 2012 can be said to have found his big favorite to win the final: Novak Djokovic. Sull'Arthur Ashe, in fact, the Serbian tennis player takes a nice revenge on the man who a few weeks ago denied the joy of an Olympic medal - Juan Martin Del Potro - and thus access to the semi-final against Spaniard David Ferrer.

NOLE 2011 - Those expecting a game in the sense most tied the score, he was disappointed. Who expected it from the point of view of the game ... too. And this not so much for the demerits of a Del Potro very combative, just foul, and 2 sets to perfect the service, but rather for a Djokovic and intensity, precision, recovery, cynicism and even that good dose of luck friend intimate of all sportsmen winning, recalled his "2011 version" that can win 3 out of 4 slam and challenge the reign of Nadal on clay.

Unplayable - Yes because the first set of the Serbian is an exercise in perfection more Del Potro tries to pull stronger, Djokovic rejects boasting of the ball, the more the Argentine go hunting ACE, the more the boy Belgrade stretches in prodigious recoveries, plus the winner of the 2009 tries to move, plus the defending champion arrives first on the ball, and the more the exchange is extended, the more the fifteen he wrote a master even before the umpire to decide the score. In short, Del Potro out with broken bones from a first set almost tossed to remind everyone of the splendor of that Djokovic who 12 months ago was virtually unbeatable.

POTRO OF THERE ' - Playing better than that is frankly impossible. You know Del Potro, who at the beginning of September 2nd try not to become demoralized, and also knows that Djokovic for two and a half game suffers from a passage in the Argentine vacuum delivery, for the first time in the evening, the head of the match. Djokovic unlike many outputs in 2012 this does not seem a major concern even in the face of a Del Potro, in order to make the point, is in desperate need of the first service. The Argentine fact, when produced in lengthy exchanges, comes out almost always defeated, but even so, can handle the break advantage to 5-4.There, however, the show begins to Djokovic.

ROBONOLE - Del Potro is the best, but it is almost always the first, against the "elasticity of Serbia" is not enough. Djokovic plays a game version of the wall: the stronger pull of Argentina, the more the ball back on the field and violent, when a violent straight Tandil fanned the boy is saved by a lob that pinches the bottom line, Del Potro must yield to controbreak. Djokovic, driven by the inertia of the moment, find a fast game for the 6-5 while Del Potro, to extend the match to a tie-break, has a hard 17 minutes and a half and cancel 3 set point.

TIE-BREAK LEG SIZE - The South American, after the "hard work" part strong in the tie-break 2-0 and salt but, again, it must undergo the return of Robo-Nole: after the change of ends at 3-3, the Serb turn the game winning exchange most spectacular-and hard - of the match, and that, moreover, that the 3 sets (match) point. It only takes one. The game actually ends there.

THIRD September MEANINGLESS - Yes, because in the third set Del Potro is cooked and psychologically, for a player who in his career has never managed to overcome a disadvantage of 0-2, think you can succeed today, with Djokovic this is an idea crazy. Incapable of doing evil from the bottom, unable to win the long rallies, unable to impose itself by its power, unable to find any solution that can shake the Serbian, the tactic "continue to rely on the first" from there to a potential September 5 is stuff that would clog even the shoot-balls dad Agassi. The Argentine lost it once the joke, Djokovic runs to the end and closed the match in just over 3 hours of play.

Will not be worth an Olympic medal, it will be a great consolation, but if Djokovic will be able to duplicate this kind of performance from Ferrer to Murray or Berdych, to others, to the eye, it could contact a fate not unlike that of the unfortunate Del Potro . Wishes.

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Tennis - U.S. Open Djokovic: "I'll remember all my life"

Novak Djokovic returns to Flushing in the skin of the title. He has a particular status that amazing forehand against Federer in the semifinals on a match for the Swiss. The Serb is not ready to forget.

No Nadal, no Federer, Murray not ... Your half of the table still seems very clear, right? Is not this the perfect draw for you?

ND: To be honest, I do not think there drawing perfect. You can not affect the draw. It is a matter of luck. There are 128 players hyper-motivated to start and everyone wants to do well, to create surprises. So I do not see so far. I had good runs, bad runs, but again, nobody can do anything about it. There is nothing to calculate, nothing to prepare. I'm just trying to concentrate on my own game is the most important.

You spoke of surprise s potential. At Wimbledon for the first time in years, a member of the Big Four fell early. Do you think the win against Nadal Rosol can somehow decomplex others?

ND: Sure. Tennis is a sport ultra-competitive. Everyone works hard. I think the difference between the best players and the other is the ability to handle the pressure and play well in a few moments. But other than that, tennistiquement, the difference is not huge.

You still a significant margin, you or Federer for example, is not it?

ND: In the Top 20, there are many players who can beat us. And then look Rosol, with Nadal. On a day of a game, you never know. Anything can happen. Obviously, Grand Slam, best of five sets, it is more difficult to surprise because it must be constant over the duration of a match. But it can happen.

Changes that the absence of Nadal?

ND: It's weird, because he had not missed a tournament like this for a long time. Rafa is a great competitor and someone I know well outside the court. For it does not come, it must be serious. For the tournament, it's a waste, really. For tennis, simply because everyone likes it.

Before the last collection of Grand Slam, c ow would you rate your season so far?

ND: It's been a long season and a long summer, but I had a very good year so far. It is difficult to compare over 2011, although I was asked many times. But I try to see things in a positive way. You can not win every game for five or six months each year. Mentally, I had some ups and downs this year, but physically I feel stronger than last season.

Where are you in terms of level of play?

ND: I feel good. There has been a grueling month. But I was happy to win in Toronto and reaching the final in Cincinnati. Arriving at the U.S. Open, it's important for me to have matches and victories in the legs. This is my favorite surfaced and I am excited to begin this last major tournament of the year, as much as I love it.

What you particularly like here?

ND: I love the energy that emerges from this tournament and I love playing it. Past five years, I have been very successful. I played twice finals, semi-finals and finally I won was last. Back to New York as a titleholder is something incredible. I feel it. There are a lot of fun when we play here, especially in night session. This is something unique.The U.S. Open is different from other Grand Slam tournaments.

A year later, with hindsight, what do you remember this incredible forehand against Federer on his ball game?

ND: It reminds me of one of my best memories, that's for sure. This point has saved me. He saved me from defeat in the semifinals and allowed me to have the opportunity to win the title. I did. It is the symbol of the highest level in men's tennis. Everything is played on a point, sometimes on a whim at this level. It was a great shot and, you know, I think I'll remember all my life.

READ MORE - Tennis - U.S. Open Djokovic: "I'll remember all my life"