Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are the proud owners of the most one-sided rivalries in the Open era, achieving them against the French rivals. Two rivals stayed neck and neck ahead of Cincinnati, and Novak took charge again to emerge at the top and top the list.
Novak scored his 19th victory over Gael Monfils. Thus, he became the only player in the Open era with a 19-0 score against a single rival, leaving Rafael Nadal’s 18-0 versus Richard Gasquet behind. Djokovic toppled Monfils 6-3, 6-2 in 68 minutes in the third round, remaining perfect against his old friend and rival.
Novak hit seven winners and 14 unforced errors, relying on the rival’s mistake and welcoming almost 40! They had a similar number of service winners, staying on the baseline and embracing rallies while not going to the net that often.
Novak forged the advantage in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, leading 6-3, 5-0 and sealing the deal soon after. They both served well after landing in the first serve, and Djokovic secured the triumph in the second serve department.
The Serb dropped 12 points behind the initial shot and lost serve once from as many chances offered to his opponent.
Novak Djokovic is 19-0 versus Gael Monfils on the ATP Tour.
World no. 2 pivoted half of the return points into four breaks from five opportunities, enough to sail over the top and write history.
Djokovic settled into a fine rhythm right from the start, serving well and keeping the pressure on the other side. Novak kicked off the action with a service winner and a hold at love. Gael squandered two game points in the second game and offered Novak a break chance.
The Frenchman denied it with a forehand down the line winner and held to avoid an early setback. They stayed neck and neck in the upcoming games, and Novak opened a 4-3 advantage with another fine hold. Monfils lost the ground in the eighth game, netting a routine forehand and offering Novak three break chances.
The Frenchman sprayed another forehand error to experience a break at love and push the Serb 5-3 ahead.Djokovic fired a service winner in the ninth game to wrap up the set 6-3 in 32 minutes, rattling off 12 of the final 15 points.
Monfils squandered his chances at the start of the second set and suffered another break to fall a set and a break behind. Djokovic held after deuce in game two and earned his third straight break at 2-0 after Monfils’ wild forehand.
Novak held at love for 4-0 and extended his dominance with a backhand down the line winner in the next one. Djokovic served for a bagel and a win at 5-0, only to lose serve after Monfils’ running forehand down the line winner.
The Frenchman reduced the deficit to 5-2 with a fine hold before the Serb emerged at the top with a forehand down the line winner in game nine.
