Novak Djokovic beats Milos Raonic 7-6, 7-6!
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 7-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic pulls a backhand wide and it’s all over! Novak Djokovic has seen off a stern challenge from the world No4 to reach the semi-final and top this group! Thanks for reading. Night.
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 6-5 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic thinks he’s served an ace. Raonic challenges. It was bang on the line. Djokovic has his first match point!
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 5-5 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic comes to the net and Raonic thinks he’s got the job done with an excellent backhand from left to right. It lands at Djokovic’s feet. He somehow produces a miraculous backhand that completely takes Raonic by surprise.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 4-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic serves brilliantly and wins the point with a forehand.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 4-4 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic pulls a forehand wide. He’s been tight when he’s led.
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 3-4 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic chucks in a double-fault!
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 3-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic misses by miles with a backhand.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 2-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic is in control at the net with a smash.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 2-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): A Raonic serve down the middle is called out. He decides he might as well challenge. It was well out. Djokovic takes advantage, pressuring Raonic’s backhand, coaxing the error from him.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 1-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic knocks a forehand return long.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 0-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic attacks a cross-court backhand and forces Djokovic to hit one wide.
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic 0-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic serves well and wins the point with a smash.
Second set: Djokovic* 7-6, 6-6 Raonic (*denotes server): The first two points are shared, and Djokovic is in a spot of bother when he double-faults to make it 15-30. He gathers his thoughts, though, deals with a pesky Raonic slice and draws an errant backhand from the Canadian with a well-placed overhead for 30-all. Yet he’s in trouble when he pushes a backhand long at the net, handing Raonic his first set point! The volume rises. The man in front of me does some whistling. Behind Djokovic, an eedjit decides now’s the time to use the flash on his phone. The umpire intervenes. Play resumes. Djokovic nets a first serve. He makes the second. They rally for a while – and Raonic is fuming with himself when he weakly nets a forehand! The game goes to deuce, Djokovic holds with a peach of a forehand pass and we’ll have another tie-break.
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Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 5-6 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic whistles a backhand down the line for a 40-15 lead and clenches his fist. He does so again when he wraps up the game with an ace. Over to you, Novak.
Second set: Djokovic* 7-6, 5-5 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic is three points away from the second set when Djokovic nets a forehand for 0-15. In other news, I can no longer de-bold this text. 2016, eh? Back to the tennis, Raonic moves into a 15-30 lead with a clean forehand winner down the line, but he nets a backhand return to make it 30-all. Then they treat us to a magnificent rally, Raonic withstanding a Djokovic smash, only to dab a backhand pass into the net. Djokovic holds.
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Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): The crowd’s perked up and so has Raonic, who crashes an ace away for 15-0. More aces take him to 40-15. He holds and Djokovic will serve to stay in the second set!
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Second set: Djokovic* 7-6, 4-4 Raonic (*denotes server): Down 30-0, Raonic still isn’t willing to give up, fighting back to 30-all. He’s been spirited in this set and he’s giving the crowd value for money. He even earns a break point when Djokovic nets a backhand - and that’s the cue for Djokovic to net a forehand! They’re on level terms again!
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Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic batters an ace past Djokovic, who amuses himself by heading the bouncing ball to a ball boy. I assume Nikola Zigic is his sporting hero. As for the game, it drifts to deuce. Raonic’s serve is coming under severe pressure. He manages to shake free, though, and holds with his umpteenth ace.
Second set: Djokovic* 7-6, 4-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic cruises into a 40-0 lead, three stress-free points setting up a commanding position. He holds to love with a backhand winner and inches closer to the semi-finals.
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Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 3-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): Djokovic has had to be at the height of his defensive powers at times tonight and his hustling is occasionally forcing Raonic to rush and go for too much. He does so on the first point, dragging a forehand wide, and Djokovic quickly opens up 0-30 lead. Djokovic earns two break points, a low slice at the end of a tense rally confounding Raonic, who promptly nets a backhand to drop his serve again.
Second set: Djokovic* 7-6, 2-2 Raonic (*denotes server): The game goes to 30-all, Raonic still defiant. He’s played well but hasn’t taken his chances. It’s been a lesson in ruthlessness so far. But here’s an opportunity to show that he’s learning. Raonic carves out a break point with a splendid backhand down the line. Can he finally take one? Yes! Djokovic tries to serve and volley, but Raonic beats him with a forehand pass to haul himself back into the second set!
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 2-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic makes sure this isn’t going to be a procession for Djokovic, kerblamming an ace away to hold.
Second set: Djokovic* 7-6, 2-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic isn’t done quite yet, though. At 30-all, he larrumps a forehand past Djokovic to earn a break point. He can’t take, it though, smacking a backhand return wide after a good serve from Djokovic, who celebrates with a roar at his box. Djokovic holds and consolidates the break.
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Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 1-0 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic quickly needs to get over the disappointment of losing that set. He served so well. He had the break points. He had the mini-break. At 30-all, though, he nets a forehand to gift Djokovic a break point. It’s Djokovic’s first of the night. Raonic sends a backhand long. It’s a long way back from here.
Novak Djokovic wins the first set 7-6!
First set tie-break: Djokovic 8-6 Raonic* (*denotes server): A double fault! From Raonic! The set belongs to Djokovic! What fight from the world No2! He was on the ropes for much of it, but you get the sense he’d really like that No1 spot back off Andy Murray.
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First set tie-break: Djokovic* 7-6 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic thrashes a wild forehand wide off a second serve. Oof. Another set point for Djokovic.
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 6-6 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic grunts and groans around the baseline. It’s Raonic who’s pressing. It’s Raonic who wins the point, a piercing forehand forcing Djokovic to hit long! Crikey.
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First set tie-break: Djokovic 6-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic attacks the net. Djokovic tries a backhand pass. No. But ... how about a backhand lob? Yes! Djokovic grabs a set point!
First set tie-break: Djokovic 5-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic needs three smashes to win the point. He gets there in the end. What a tie-break.
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 5-4 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic thinks he’s hit a forehand winner. Djokovic lifts his arm. Turns out it was called out, so Raonic challenges. And ... it was in!
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 5-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic wrongfoots Raonic with a forehand, the Canadian slicing into the net.
First set tie-break: Djokovic 4-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic lifts a forehand long!
First set tie-break: Djokovic 3-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic wastes several opportunities to kill the point and Djokovic somehow grabs back the mini-break, sending a forehand down the line that the Canadian can only pat into the ground!
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 2-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic clips a backhand down the line.
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First set tie-break: Djokovic* 1-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic nets a backhand. Raonic might only need one little opening.
First set tie-break: Djokovic 1-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic cracks another ace down the middle.
First set tie-break: Djokovic 1-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic wallops a body serve at Djokovic, who pretty much has to dive out the way.
First set tie-break: Djokovic* 1-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic balloons a backhand long.
First set: Djokovic 6-6 Raonic* (*denotes server): Needing to hold, Raonic charges into a 30-0 lead. But Djokovic produces another outstanding flicked backhand scoop from left to right to get himself back in the game and he’s very much in it at 30-all. Time for another ace, then. There’s a gasp of astonishment from the crowd as Raonic stomps into a 40-30 lead. He holds. Tie-break.
First set: Djokovic* 6-5 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic locates the line over on the left with a forehand. Or did he? Raonic challenges. Hawkeye is on his side and that’s 0-15. Soon it’s 15-30, Djokovic netting a backhand slice. Raonic seizes the initiative during the next rally - but he clips a forehand wide to make it 30-all. He could have had two break points there. Instead it’s not long before he’s down 40-30. Djokovic holds.
First set: Djokovic 5-5 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic has to hold to keep the set alive, so he bashes an ace down the middle for 15-0. Then he puts a smash away, reading a Djokovic lob well. Another ace makes it 40-15 and Raonic holds to 15 without any fuss at all.
First set: Djokovic* 5-4 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic looks comfortable at 30-0. Raonic tries to make him uncomfortable. Easier said than done. At 30-15, Djokovic dinks a backhand from left to right and Raonic can only stoop and net a backhand. Djokovic holds. If he can break here, the first set is his.
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First set: Djokovic 4-4 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic lopes towards the net and immediately realises he’s made a mistake as Djokovic wallops a forehand down the line for 0-15. Djokovic is beginning to look ominously on his game and when he defends excellently again, moving so well, Raonic scoops a confused forehand past the baseline, making it 0-30. But that Raonic serve is such an effective weapon. It brings him back to 30-all. There’s still work to be done, though. Will Raonic pass this test? You betcha! A forehand winner and an ace ways to deal with adversity.
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First set: Djokovic* 4-3 Raonic (*denotes server): Raonic has been hitting some superb forehands. Now he comes up with a delicious backhand, firing one down the line as Djokovic advances. 0-15. His feathers ruffled, Djokovic responds with a stonking forehand for 15-all, then defends brilliantly before overpowering Raonic at the net for 30-15. He holds to 15. We’ll have some new balls.
First set: Djokovic 3-3 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic opens up the court with an excellent serve out wide, but he fails to land the second blow, sending a forehand wide. Djokovic leads 0-15. Not for long, though. He nets a forehand, before Raonic blasts an ace past him for 30-15. The Canadian holds to 15, a second ace polishing off the game.
First set: Djokovic* 3-2 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic has had problems in his service games. He’ll be desperate for a simple one this time because Raonic is not holding back at all. He’s not afraid to whack the fuzz off the ball, supreme hitting allowing him to make it 15-all. Djokovic needs some first serves. It also helps when Raonic misses a couple of forehands, making it 40-15. Another poor forehand from Raonic and Djokovic holds. There. Easy.
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First set: Djokovic 2-2 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic blooters a serve down the middle. It’s wide, but it almost takes out a line judge, who manages to duck just in time. Take it from me, a serve to the head hurts. Still, Raonic wins the point anyway, then he gobbles up the next one with a pinpoint forehand down the line for 30-0. Another crunching serve makes it 40-0, at which point he wobbles a little, double-faulting. But not for long. Another superb serve sees him hold to 15.
First set: Djokovic* 2-1 Raonic (*denotes server): Djokovic pings a forehand into the left corner, making Raonic run, but the Canadian digs out a backhand and Djokovic nets a volley to make it 0-15. Then Djokovic sends a forehand long. 0-30. A cracking second serve makes it 15-30, but Raonic grabs two break points with a contemptuous forehand return off another second serve. He nets a forehand return off the first, though. The second goes begging as well, a forehand flying long. You can’t be wasting those chances against Djokovic, who recovers well to hold. Raonic has seen three opportunities to break come and go.
First set: Djokovic 1-1 Raonic* (*denotes server): Raonic misses a couple of first serves and lets Djokovic into a couple of rallies, but he makes it 15-all with a forehand winner down the line. He holds without any trouble from there.
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First set: Djokovic* 1-0 Raonic (*denotes server): Resisting the understandable temptation to smack a ball in the direction of the press seats, Novak Djokovic gets the match underway. It begins with a fine rally, one that ends with Raonic sending a crisp forehand missile down the line for a 0-15 lead. The next rally’s a long one too. Djokovic finds a gap with a backhand, forcing Raonic to net a forehand, but the Canadian wins the next point with another excellent forehand winner for a 15-30 lead. The game goes to 30-all, but Raonic earns a break point when Djokovic knocks a forehand long. Djokovic saves it with an ace out wide and goes on to hold.
It’s time for the toss. Up into the air it goes! But it’s a dreadful toss of the coin. It lands by the net and on its side and, well, it’s impossible to make heads or tails of it. We’ll have to try again. Everything passes off smoothly on the second try. Djokovic will serve first. Now for the warm-up. Tok! Tok! Tok!
Here come the players! They’ll be playing tennis soon. Both get huge cheers from the crowd, which is beginning to fill up nicely.
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If Novak Djokovic wins tonight, he secures top spot in the group and moves into the last four. In the day’s early match, Dominic Thiem kept his hopes alive by beating Gael Monfils in three sets.
Preamble
Hello. At the risk of incurring the wrath of All of Serbia, Novak Djokovic got angry the other day. He smacked a ball in the direction of his box after losing the first set against Dominic Thiem and it flew into the crowd. He didn’t take kindly to being asked about it in his press conference after recovering to beat Thiem in three sets. But it definitely happened! There were cameras there and everything. Djokovic’s beef was with the idea that he was playing a dangerous game, that his momentary loss of control exposed his troubled mental state and could have resulted in serious consequences if the ball had sent a hot dog out of a spectator’s pint or, even worse, caused someone to spill their pint.
Secretly, though, Djokovic was probably glad it happened. The fire still burns inside him, as Thiem duly discovered, and it was a reminder that no one should think for a moment that the Serbian is in the grip of terminal decline despite recent tricky times on and off the court. By Djokovic’s standards, this has been a troublesome year. But he can still end it as the world No1 by winning every match here this week and that would set him up nicely for another strong defence of his Australian Open title.
Tonight, however, the challenge is likely to stiffen. Milos Raonic was supposedly stricken with a thigh injury when he arrived in London, but the Canadian looked sprightly in his victory over Gael Monfils the other night. The world No4 has lost all seven of his encounters with Djokovic, so hell need to be at his powerful best. But Marin Cilic had lost 14 in a row before beating Djokovic in Paris. It can be done. But is the beast stirring again?
Play begins at: 8pm GMT.
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