After a fantastic run at Indian Wells and Miami in March 2007, Novak Djokovic was ready for more at another Masters 1000 hard court event in Montreal in August. Entering the Rogers Cup as the world No. 4 after the semi-final at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Djokovic did his best to lift the second Masters 1000 crown and write history.
The Serbian became the first player since Boris Becker in Stockholm 1994 with victories over the three best players in the world in a single event, beating Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to lift the trophy.
Novak joked about the tournament’s name after the first win over Roger in five games, wishing the organizers would change it from Rogers Cup to Novak’s Cup. Djokovic defeated no. 1, Federer, 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 in two hours and 13 minutes to cross the finish line first and achieve the first victory over the Swiss.
Roger took advantage of five breaks of nine chances and broke three times, unable to produce his best tennis when it mattered most despite a lot of effort in the decider. Federer had a slight advantage in the shorter range by up to four strokes, while Djokovic gained more points in the extended rallies to stay head-to-head with the no.
1 in sets won. The youngster moved to the front in the second game before Roger broke down at 15 in game five to cut the deficit and get back on the positive side of the scoreboard. Both players served well after that until Game 11 when Federer broke for a 6-5 lead after Djokovic’s loose backhand.
After opening a 40-0 lead on serve in the next game, Roger came close to taking the set before making three unforced errors. Federer wasted three more set points and was unable to take the last step before a tiebreaker.
Novak was the leading player on the court now, hitting a service winner at 6-2 to steal the set despite playing against many set points. Roger had to put this part of the match behind him as soon as possible, doing it in style after storming Novak in set number two to take it 6-2 in just over 30 minutes.
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the 2007 Montreal final.
Federer won the second break at 5-2 and secured the set with a backhand down the line to become the favorite in the deciding match.
Still, Novak snapped to take an early lead and end Roger’s four-game streak. Djokovic sailed through his service games in the next 20 minutes and was two short of the win when Federer recovered the break in game eight to level the score at 4-4 and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
The last four games of the clash saw four dominant serve turns, with the winner having to be decided in the third set tie break at the Canadian Open for the first time since 1990. The younger player showed more strength and endurance and secured two mini-breaks to jump to a 4-1 lead.
Novak converted the second match point as Roger’s tweener found the back of the net and began a massive celebration of a well-deserved crown. “In the third set, someone yelled during the match: ‘It’s the Rogers Cup.’
It was fun. Yes, I have nothing against the sponsor, but obviously, I will have to arrange someone to call the Novak Cup for next year, “said Novak Djokovic.
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