Djokovic Books Date With La Monf In Paris

Novak Djokovic played exceptionally well today and had no trouble with Rafael Nadal. He upset the second seed 6-2 6-3 after 76 minutes of play. Djokovic is back to his form before he changed racquets last year.

The Serb played to perfection today. He simply hit, served and volleyed better than his opponent. Nadal had no answers today and seemed shocked. At one point in the match, Djokovic won seven games in a row after he broke Nadal in game six of the first set.

Nadal has had knee issues and now struggles to get back to top form. Earlier in the week, Nadal got into trouble in the second and third rounds but was able to get out of it. You were able to see where he stacks up against the other top-tier players. He still has to get back to feeling comfortable with his shots, in particular playing the lines. Hopefully, he will be able to get his feel back in the off-season.

Djokovic will play Gael Monfils. In the other semifinal, Monfils beat Radek Stepanek 6-4 5-7 6-4. Monfils can flake out at times, but he managed to close it out against the Czech. The Frenchman served for the match game 10 of the second set, but Stepanek broke back to level the match and take the second set. It looked like the Frenchman might let the match get away from him. To the contrary, Monfils was able to be patient and attack Stepanek at the opportune moments.

The French went wild when Monfils converted on match point. Though the defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost yesterday, Monfils will try to keep the title in France with a win tomorrow.

Whoever wins the title will be a first-time Masters champion this year. Federer, Nadal and Murray have had a monopoly on Masters titles this year. Nikolay Davydenko broke up their cartel first in Shanghai. Tomorrow’s winner will be the second person to breakthrough. Should he win tomorrow, Monfils will win his first Masters title of his career.

Djokovic leads their matchup 3-0. Plus, he is in top form. Monfils has a few tricks of his own and will have the crowd behind him. It should be another good match tomorrow.

Saturday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-2 6-3
15 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. 13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) 6-4 5-7 6-4

Doubles Semifinals
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. 8 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) 6-7(2) 6-4 10-2
M. Granollers (ESP)/ T. Robredo (ESP) def. 7 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) 6-4 6-2

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 15 Gael Monfils (FRA)

Doubles Final
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. M. Granollers (ESP)/ T. Robredo (ESP)

Sunday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
Tennis Channel – 9:00 AM

(Images: AP)