PETE ZIEBRON
Novak Djokovic on a roll Charles Gabrean Photography
Novak Djokovic defeated world #1 Rafael Nadal for the second time in as many tournaments to win the Sony Ericsson Open, a Masters 1000 event in Key Biscayne, Florida. Djokovic won the 3 hour 21 minute battle 4-6 6-3 7-6(4) and claimed his 24th consecutive victory to open the 2011 season and 26th consecutive win overall.
The match started slowly for Djokovic as he was broken twice in the opening set after not having been broken throughout the tournament. In the second set, Nadal's level dipped, Djokovic secured a break and cruised to level the match.
Finally in the third set, the caliber of play from both players was elevated and the match suddenly looked like the two best players in the world competing for the title. No breaks of serve were recorded however each man rallied to erase 0-30 deficits late in the set.
The final set tiebreaker started with Nadal serving and dropping the opening point. Similarly, Djokovic failed to win a point on his two service points and Nadal toed the line serving at 2-1. After a 22 stroke rally won by Djokovic, Nadal hunched over to catch his breath. It would be 64 seconds before Nadal would hit his first serve into the net. Nadal, still weary, hit his second serve long for a double fault and Djokovic took the lead for good at 3-2 and eventually won the breaker 7-4 to claim the title.
Nadal has long intimidated his opponents with superior fitness, however it was Djokovic who possessed better stamina in the 85F south Florida heat as Nadal wilted in the tiebreaker.
Last August in Cincinnati, I asked Djokovic about his conditioning and ability to compete in hot weather and he elaborated on his training efforts:
- "I'm a hard worker, and most the success I had is because of the work. So I don't think it's a matter of spending hours on the court. It's just something in genetics, in my nature, that I react maybe more sensitive than the other players on the heat. Everybody has something special about them. But I'm working on some things that will improve my game and my feeling in the strong heat."
Novak Djokovic will look to continue his 2011 winning streak at the Rolex Masters in Monte-Carlo, Monaco beginning on April 11. Rafael Nadal is the six- time defending Champion and defeated Djokovic in the 2009 Final.
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