Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal staged a scandalous semi-final in Montreal 2007. Nadal had beaten Djokovic three times in the previous months, and the Serb was eager to change that in Canada and advance in the title clash. Novak beat Rafa 7-5 6-3 in one hour and 51 minutes to reach the final in his Canadian Masters debut.
Djokovic became the third Under-20 player with three Masters 1000 finals in a single season after Marat Safin and Rafael Nadal. Novak defended all eight of his break chances and kept the pressure on the other side. Rafa broke once in each set to hand victory to his rival and end the campaign in the semi-final.
Djokovic is the more aggressive player, shooting 25 winners and forcing Nadal’s 30 errors. The Serb created a huge gap in the shorter range of up to four shots and dominated the Spaniard in the longer ones to seal the deal and advance to the final.
Rafa fended off a break chance at 1-2 early on with a forehand winner and brought it home with a service winner. Djokovic served well and opened a 4-3 lead before Nadal hit the next one with a powerful crosscourt backhand. Novak fended off three break points at 5-5 to stay on the positive side and gain momentum.
He forced Rafa’s error in the twelfth game to earn a break and close out the match. Djokovic had to work hard on his serve in the second set, fending off one break point opportunity in the first game and four more at 1-1.
He did not have problems with the service again, and the pressure was on Nadal. Rafa served at 3-4 and sliced to break and put the world No. 3 ahead. Djokovic served to win game nine and held love to seal the deal in style and advance to the third straight Masters 1000 hard court final.
Adam Baldwin defends Nole Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has found an admirer in actor Adam Baldwin. Responding to a Twitter user’s post questioning Djokovic for entering his name in tournaments with the hope that rules will change for him, the Firefly actor expressed his views on the issue.
“Every tournament that denied Novak Djokovic entry because he chose bodily autonomy is an *asterisk* tournament,” Adam Baldwin said in a tweet. “Likewise are their prize winners *asterisk* prize winners. Novak is a GOAT! Shame on the sheep,” he added.
