Novak Djokovic took only 74 minutes to defeat his old foe Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-2 to advance into the last 8 in Rome. The Serb and the Swiss were meeting for the 26th time and the first in almost three year. This match was also the Serb’s first win over Wawrinka since their 2015 Paris-Bercy match.
Nole needs to get to the semi-finals to hold onto his world no.1 ranking otherwise he will lose it to Daniil Medvedev. He is now just one match away from staying on top and guaranteeing himself the top seeded position at the French Open. Djokovic will advance to the quarter-final, where he will face 8th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Djokovic has played multiple games throughout his career that are at the top of the table. Some of his best matches are listed below.
Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal (2012 Australia Open Final)
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played the longest Grand Slam final in tennis history in the 2012 Australia Open. The Serb took away the title from that game while suffering from aching limbs.
Nadal and Djokovic played the ultimate tennis marathon. However, the Serb took away the game, 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 in 5 hours and 53 minutes. This match remains the longest match in Australian Open history, beating Nadal’s 5 hours and 14 minutes semi-final win over Verdasco in 2009.
Nole vs Federer (2012 Nitto ATP Finals)
Lifting 6 trophies from 11 finals, Novak Djokovic fittingly ended the year by beating then world no.2, Roger Federer 7-6(5), 7-5 in the championship match of the 2012 Nitto ATP Finals. The Serb got his victory in over 2 hours and 14 minutes. The win was Djokovic’s 75th match win of the year.
After the match, Djokovic gave his thoughts on the match and the season he had. He said, “It’s very satisfying for my team and myself to conclude this fantastic season with a ATP Finals win. I wanted really to fight and get as far as I can in this tournament. Winning all the matches I played makes it even more special. I was playing really great tennis throughout the whole week. Tonight, whenever I needed to, I came up with some really good shots. I cannot be more thrilled than I’m feeling now.”
Djokovic vs Roger Federer (2008 Australia Open Semi-Final)
Being the 3rd seed in the 2008 Australia Open semi-final, Novak Djokovic defeated the then world no.1, Roger Federer. The Serb deferred the Swiss legend in straight sets.
Nole took the tie 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to seal his 2nd appearance in a grand slam final. Previously in 2007, Federer ended his dream to win the slam final in the US Open.
Djokovic took 2 hours and 27 minutes to end Federer’s run in the tournament. Fist time in 4 years someone defeated the Swiss in straight sets in a Grand Slam match.
Novak vs Andy Murray (2016 French Open Final)
Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 in the 2016 French Open and clinched the title. In doing so he made plenty of history.
Nole became the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four straight grand slams and the 8th man to complete the career grand slam. He also became first man to claim the first two majors in a calendar year since Jim Courier in 1992.
Nole vs Federer (2019 Wimbledon Final)
Novak Djokovic took his 5th Wimbledon title with a thrilling 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3) victory Roger Federer. The match lasted for 4 hours and 55 minutes on Centre Court which is the longest final to be played in Wimbledon.
Djokovic became the first man since Bob Falkenburg in the 1948 Wimbledon Championships to win the title after being championship points down, having saved two when down 7−8 in the fifth set. He also became the first man since Gastón Gaudio at the 2004 French Open to save championship points in order to win a Grand Slam title.
He became the second man and third singles player overall to win multiple Grand Slam titles after saving match point during the tournament, after Rod Laver and Serena Williams.
