The must awaited Djokovic-Nadal showdown finally ended with the title in the hands of Novak Djokovic on Sunday. Djokovic started the first set with a couple of bad serves and it looked like the game could go either way. The match started to get interesting in the second set when Djokovic broke to lead with a 6-3. He was still standing after the five-deuce game and managed to take the set after Rafael Nadal let out an errant backhand.
The 23-year old Serb broke Nadal twice in the third set, taking the lead. He shot aces for the final points, holding serve in the fourth and six games. Djokovic ended the match with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to get the title.
“I am having the best period of my life on the tennis court,” the winner said after the match. “I am playing with a lot of confidence. I’m feeling the ball well on the court. I’m very dedicated and I have a big will to win each match.“So it will not stop here,” he added.
Djokovic improves to a record of 18-0 which includes his most recent victories in Dubai and the Australian Open. He moves into the number 2 spot in the ATP tour rankings, a step up above Roger Federer whom Djokovic defeated in the semifinals. Despite the defeat Nadal remains the number 1 player with a record of 14-3, although he has yet to win an ATP title for this season.