Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome, Italy, ATP Masters 1000

[britbox]

Novak Djokovic (1) bt Kei Nishikori (6) 2/6 6/4 7/6(5)

 

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Novak Djokovic (1) bt Kei Nishikori (6) 2/6 6/4 7/6(5)

 

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Andy Murray (2) bt Lucas Pouille 6/2 6/1

 

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Rome Masters Final

v

Novak Djokovic (1) v Andy Murray (2)

H2H: Djokovic leads 23-9

2016 Madrid Masters F Clay Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-2 3-6 6-3
2016 Australian Open F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6(3)
2015 Paris Masters F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-2 6-4
2015 Shanghai Masters SF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-1 6-3
2015 Canadian Masters F Hard Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 6-4 4-6 6-3
2015 French Open - Roland Garros SF Clay Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-3 6-3 5-7 5-7 6-1
2015 Miami Masters F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 7-6(3) 4-6 6-0
2015 Indian Wells Masters SF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-2 6-3
2015 Australian Open F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-0
2014 Paris Masters QF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 7-5 6-2
2014 Beijing SF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-3 6-4
2014 US Open QF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 7-6(1) 6-7(1) 6-2 6-4
2014 Miami Masters QF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 7-5 6-3
2013 Wimbledon F Grass Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4
2013 Australian Open F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-7(2) 7-6(3) 6-3 6-2
2012 ATP World Tour Finals 11 Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 4-6 6-3 7-5
2012 Shanghai Masters F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 5-7 7-6(11) 6-3
2012 US Open F Hard Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 7-6(10) 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2
2012 Olympic Tennis SF Grass Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 7-5 7-5
2012 Miami Masters F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-1 7-6(4)
2012 Dubai SF Hard Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 6-2 7-5
2012 Australian Open SF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-3 3-6 6-7(4) 6-1 7-5
2011 Cincinnati Masters F Hard Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 6-4 3-0 Retired
2011 Rome Masters SF Clay Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-1 3-6 7-6(2)
2011 Australian Open F Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-4 6-2 6-3
2009 Miami Masters F Hard Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 6-2 7-5
2008 Cincinnati Masters F Hard Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
2008 Canada QF Hard Andy Murray Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-6(3)
2008 Monte Carlo Masters R16 Clay Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-0 6-4
2007 Miami Masters SF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-1 6-0
2007 Indian Wells Masters SF Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 6-2 6-3
2006 Madrid Masters R16 Hard Novak Djokovic Andy Murray 1-6 7-5 6-3

Src: http://www.stevegtennis.com/
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[Moxie]

Nish gave Novak a much better match than I was expecting. I didn't see it, but was surprised to wake up to that scoreline even if the victor was expected.

Is Novak's ankle a cause for concern?

I don't think so. It seems he might have hit it with his racquet. Looked like a wound, not a twist. More of concern was his attitude. He was crabby and out of sorts. Kei was down 1-4 in the third and got it back to a TB, which he couldn't win, but it was a great effort by Nishikori.

 

[Mastoor]

I hate to say this but I believe Murray will win the title tomorrow on his 29th birthday. He is much fresher having too easy draw and No1e's behaviour in last couple of days seems unusual besides playing too long matches against good and inspired opponents.

Saying that I'd prefer being surprised by No1e's win against Murray in which case he will make some new records .

 

[Moxie]

I would think that the last thing Novak needs tomorrow is a long, grueling match. He doesn't really have anything to prove by winning the title. And he definitely looks like he needs some mental rest before RG. He's been very crabby and erratic of late.

 

[Jammymich]

The weather sucks in Rome and here, but I am more concerned with Rome forecast. It does not look pretty at all. I feel for @Jammymich and really hope they can finish all semi finals today.

In the meantime they are replaying Nole - Rafa match for those who missed it yesterday.

Somehow they got through the matches! Looked very doubtful for a long time. 3 and a half hour delay v frustrating but worth it in the end. Can't wait for the Murray Djokovic final today

 

[britbox]

Somehow they got through the matches! Looked very doubtful for a long time. 3 and a half hour delay v frustrating but worth it in the end. Can't wait for the Murray Djokovic final today

Enjoy... should be interesting. I think Nole might be a little vulnerable with the ankle injury and the tough semi... but I'd still pick him on the balance of things.

 

[Billie]

I had never seen a professional player whack himself with a racquet in the ankle like that, but I guess there is a first for everything. In the first service game as well. That was the reason he was cranky and moody for most of the match. He even said some harsh words to his box, and had problems with his shoes. It was not the best way to start the match against a very inspired opponent. I thought somebody mentioned Kei had a leg issue so I was stupidly expecting him to loose some steam but he fought till the end. Great effort.

Good call on the ump in giving Nole a violation, he seemed to settle after that.

I also don't believe that Nole will win today, if they play at all. Apparently the weather is bad with threats of rain all day. He really doesn't need another title here, especially doesn't need exhausting himself a week from RG. I think Andy deserves one of these titles after playing well this clay court season.

 

[ClayDeath]

Congrats to Andy for this huge win.

 

[Carol]

Well played Muzz, you are my hero after Nadal though you and him make me sometimes to suffer so much

 

[ClayDeath]

Well played Muzz, you are my hero after Nadal though you and him make me sometimes to suffer so much

Maybe this will inspire Rafa to get in the game too.

 

[Tennis Fan]

Well played Muzz, you are my hero after Nadal though you and him make me sometimes to suffer so much

LOL, they sure do make you suffer until the very end, most times.

 

[britbox]

I hate to say this but I believe Murray will win the title tomorrow on his 29th birthday. He is much fresher having too easy draw and No1e's behaviour in last couple of days seems unusual besides playing too long matches against good and inspired opponents.

Saying that I'd prefer being surprised by No1e's win against Murray in which case he will make some new records .

Looks like Novak was still irritated in the final, particularly with the conditions. Always a surprise when he loses these days, but maybe not quite so much in this case.

 

[britbox]

Andy Murray d. Novak Djokovic 6/3 6/3

 

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[mrzz]

I said Murray would be fresher, not the favorite. I'm very interested; why do you believe this would be the most open French Open? Rafa's looking the best he has in over two years. Novak's been winning with his 'b' game and yet able to up it to his best level when necessary. If they are on opposite sides of the draw, what do you see stopping their march to the final?

Yes, I was aware that you said that he would be fresher, even if my post seemed to imply otherwise.

About FO. Of course Djokovic and Nadal are still the favorites, but compare it to the previous years: For a long time Nadal was literally unbeatable, and in some recent years Djokovic looked unstoppable. That is, for about 10 years we always had one clear favorite, maybe two in one or other occasion.

This time, yes, Nadal is better than last year, but he is far from unbeatable. He is miles below of what he once was, specially at this part of the year. Djokovic (apart from today's result, which for me is a huge anomaly), looks quite less dominant than, say, 4 months ago, and surely (right now) than one year ago. So, in relative terms, yes, for me this clearly the most open FO in years.