Mohammadi News Agency News – Features – Photo
MNA Sports Desk: Novak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori and continued his supremacy with a 6-3, 7-5 victory in the final of the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Sunday.
After settling his 30th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, Djokovic directly started to turn his consideration to something more indefinable, an Olympic gold medal.
In his first event since an upset third round loss to American Sam Querrey on the grass of Wimbledon four weeks ago, Djokovic paid back to his winning ways and became the first four-time champion of the Rogers Cup.
Djokovic was boosted by a strong service show as he won 82% of his first serve points and recorded five aces. With the second set tied at 5-5 and the score at deuce, Djokovic won a pair of rallies to earn the conclusive break.
Djokovic put extra loft on a forehead to create an unforced error from Nishikori on game point, before triumphantly pointing at his head to illustrate his savvy. He served out to close the match.
Nishikori fought hard to stay in the final set but seemed to be concerned by his rackets as he made multiple trips to the side of the court to change.
“It was a shame to lose but this was my first time final here in Toronto,” Nishikori told the Canadian crowd. “So, it was a great week.”
“I don’t need to explain that every athlete dreams of being a part of the Olympic Games. I’m competing in singles and doubles. Hopefully I’ll get at least one medal.” he said.
“Speaking of hugs,” the world No. 1 said when back on the podium for the trophy presentation. “I’m going to do something I’ve never done before.
“I promised a friend if I won — if I was in this position — I would do this. If everyone in the stands would hug the person next to them — and I promise I will participate too.”
Djokovic will now look to claiming an Olympic gold medal in Rio, something that has eluded him throughout an illustrious career — although he won Olympic bronze in Beijing 2008.
Earlier in the women’s final, world No. 5 Simona Halep defeated Madison Keys to secure her third WTA title of the year.
After a tight first set in which the pair exchanged eight breaks of serve, Halep, who also defeated Keys in the Wimbledon fifth round — waltzed through the tie break, winning 7-2 before claiming the second set 6-3.
