adminNovak Djokovic justified his odds-on favourite status for the impending French Open championship with an intimidating victory over Roger Federer to claim its main warm-up title. The 27-year-old Serb repeated his triumph of last year at the Italian Open by beating Federer 6-4, 6-3 in 75 minutes on a baking afternoon at the Foro Italico, offering more evidence that he is finally ready to win in Paris.
It is the first time he has successfully defended a clay court title, and that will only reinforce his self-belief as he goes in search of the one Grand Slam he has never won.
An unexpected implosion under pressure, a revival from Rafael Nadal or something special from Andy Murray would seem the only ways to prevent Djokovic achieving what has become the main goal of his career.
Federer threw everything at him in the first set, knowing that there was only one outcome if he chose to trade from the baseline. His attacking strategy worked well enough and he even got a break point for 5-4, which was saved when Djokovic bludgeoned the ball cross court and broke down his backhand. The Serb then pounced in the next game at deuce, firing two brilliant returns, the first being a clean winner and the second of which put the Swiss straight on the back foot. There was no way back from that in this 39th meeting between the pair that now sees Djokovic catching up in the series on 19 wins.
Federer is one of only two players to beat the world number one this year, but whether he would have any chance of doing it over best of five sets at Roland Garros is open to question.
Despite the crowd being all for his opponent, two breaks of serve were enough in the second set of what was, overall, a huge statement of intent from the world’s best player. — Mailsport.
Online Reporter