Novak Djokovic holds the men's record for most consecutive semifinals reached at the French Open in the open era. I would have thought Borg or Nadal. Federer came close. So despite only having one title at Roland Garros (So far!), it's another record for the Superb Serb. He just keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny!
Djokovic first had a chance to make it to the semifinals in Paris back in 2006, a year before his big breakthrough. Denying him the chance was Rafael Nadal. They'd see a lot more of each other in the coming years there. But for 2006 (And until 2015), the result was the same every time Djokovic met Nadal in the French. A loss. In this one, Djokovic failed to get a set and defaulted after losing the first two sets 6-4, 6-4. Still, he showed a lot of promise.
But Nadal was King. He'd won in 2005. He'd win it all the next year. And the next. And again in 2008. His semifinal victim in 2007 and the following year was Djokovic. He had his number on clay. At that point, at least.
In 2009, Nadal surprisingly lose to Robin Soderling in the fourth round. Djokovic didn't even make it to the last sixteen, losing to Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the third round. It was Roger Federer who finally broke through. Fed had himself lost to the Spainard in the semis of 2005, and then three straight finals. Nadal returned to win it all in 2010. But then Novak began to look like a future French champion.
Djokovic had beaten Nadal in Madrid and Rome in 2011, and had an amazing winning streak of 43 matches. But it was Federer that ended it, depriving the world of the first Novak-Rafa French Final. Rafa beat Roger in the finals in four sets. That gave him seven French Opens, one more than Bjorn Borg. He'd come back in 2012 to set the record straight over who was the best player on clay. Djokovic beat Federer in the semifinals this time around, but couldn't do the same to the Spainard in the finale. Nadal then won an excellent semifinals against Djokovic in 2013, and made it nine French Opens win a four-set win over the Serbian in 2014.
Going for a sixth consecutive French Open in 2015 seemed possible for Nadal. At least, it was until he ran into Djokovic in the quarters. It was Novak who ran Rafael into the ground in straight sets. This was a landmark victory in more ways than one. Djokovic had now beaten Nadal in every single grand slam. But his bid for his first French Open was dashed by a player from Switzerland in the finals. No, not Federer. Rather, Stan Wawrinka. Hitting a vast array of amazing backhands, it was Stan winning his first French Open and second Grand Slam.
Stan looked forward, no doubt, to another finals date with Novak this year. Sadly, Nadal and Federer weren't around by the time the semifinals got underway. Having looked strong in his first three matches, Nadal was forced to default his fourth round match, never even making it on the court. Federer himself didn't come to Paris, battling his own injury woes. So it was guaranteed the second straight year of no Nadal or Federer in the finals of the year's second grand slam. That did feel odd.
Wawrinka, meanwhile, sailed into the semifinals, only to face a man making his third straight Final Four appearance. That would be Andy Murray, the Scot. The Scot had gone five sets his first two matches, but that got the old motor going. From there, he won two straight matches in straight sets. Then he won three straight sets from Richard Gasquet, the hometown hero, after losing the first one. He then disposed of the defending champion in four sets, as well.
Djokovic had a different path. He lost just one set his first five matches, looking like a man destined to win his first French. Could Novak keep it up? Young Dominic Thiem was next. The Austrian was into his first semifinals of any grand slam. All of 22 years old. Alas, he wasn't going to play The Spoiler role here. Down he went in three sets.
In the final, it was Murray taking the first set from Djokovic, 6-3. But then, the inevitable set in. Murray won one game in the second set. Two in the third. Djokovic mounted a commanding lead of 5-2 in the fourth, before a mild setback occurred. This is a tough slam to win, you see!
Djokovic served for the match. But he won only one point on his serve. Murray ripped a passing shot for a break of his own. The Scottsman was scampering and dancing all over the court now, and seemingly had an answer for all the Serbian arsenal. A hold at 30 closed this fourth stanza to 5-4. Djokovic now needed to hold, or this thing was really going to get interesting.
Djokovic didn't want to let this opportunity slip away. Going five was too risky. Quickly, he build a 40-15 lead. Two championship points...Which Murray then promptly erased. The Stubborn Scot was just not going away quietly.
A swinging volley at deuce gave Djokovic a third match point. A long rally ensued. But it was Murray that put it into the net, giving Djokovic the win, and his first French Open.
The win was more than just his first title in Paris. Djokovic had his 12th Grand Slam, one more than Bjorn Borg. He'd also won his 65th ATP singles title. That not only put him one better than the Swede, it also topped Pete Sampras. Pete won 14 Grand Slams, but never the French (Or even reached a final). Novak could tie him (And Nadal, also with 14 majors) this year. Finally, it was Novak's fourth Big Four Title in 12 months. He'd joined a pretty select few with that. By capturing Wimbledon and the US Open in 2015 (He'd also won the Australian Open that year before the French) and following it up with another Australian Open (Djokovic's sixth, tying him with the great Roy Emerson, who coincidentally also has 12th slams.) and a French this year, Novak had become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four in a row. It should be noted that Laver got his in one calendar year, however. Of course, Djokovic fans can always say that when Laver played, three of the four slams were on grass (The French, the obvious exception). Novak is thus the first male to win four Grand Slammers in a row on four different surfaces.
Novak, however, seems primed for at least one more major this year. He surely wants to break out of a tie with Emerson for fourth place on the all-time Grand Slams won list. Next on his radar is Sampras and Nadal. What will passing them due for his legacy? To be honest with you, for me, he's already passed both. He's currently ahead in the head-to-head vs. Nadal, and the titles won count is pretty even. As for Sampras, lacking the French Open alone is a major void in his claim as the best ever. And did he ever have to face a prime Nadal or Federer?
Speaking of Federer, that's where it gets interesting. Federer currently sits at 17 majors. He's been hurt this year, so that will most likely be his final tally. Nothing to be ashamed of, of course. He's also reached an amazing 27 Grand Slam finals and 39 semifinals. Djokovic upended him in that 39th appearance Down Under earlier this year.
So, what does Djokovic need to become the Greatest Ever? Well, if he keeps his focus, I can see him getting another French Open, although a possible barrier will be brought up, shortly. But should Novak win it all again in Paris, he'll join Laver again. Laver was the last man to win all the majors at least twice.
(Although, again, there's something that should be noted. Well, two. Laver won all four in 1962, but as an amateur. When he turned pro for the 1963 year, Rod was barred from playing the majors until 1968, and even there, he skipped the Australian. After winning all four again as a pro in '69, he never again played in the French Open, and only ventured back to his homeland of Australia one more time, in 1971. In all, he only entered eight more Grand Slams after his completion of the Grand Slam at the US Open in '69)
Novak, assuming he stays healthy, will have at least two more full year and the remainder of this one to add to his collection. His winning another French will probably make most experts place him ahead of Sampras, and probably Borg. How about Laver and Federer? Those could be tough. Each of their legacies in sort of written in stone. Obviously, he'll need at least 18 Grand Slams to pass Federer (He has the head-to-head in his favour with The Swiss Maestro, too!) and attain a greater adulation. Laver's time is sort of hard to judge prior to 1968. That could be one for the never-ending debates.
Is there anyone who can stop this? Well Andy Murray could. He's back working with Ivan Lendl (Who's own legacy is missing just one Grand Slam piece, Wimbledon), who coached Murray to wins over Djokovic at the US Open finals of 2012 and Wimbledon the next year. Murray and Djokovic seemed poised for two more meetings on the final stage at the Grand Slams (And maybe even the Rio Olympics!) and Andy would like nothing more than to stop Novak from completing the calendar slam (Keeping Laver's place among the all-time greats secure). Murray himself, coincidentally, has reached the semifinals (Or better) of the French Open the last three years. His play on clay has improved in 2015 and 2016. His loss to Djokovic in the semifinals in Paris in 2015 was his only loss on clay. This year, he went 1-1 vs. Rafael Nadal on clay and 1-2 vs. Novak Djokovic on the red stuff. He even won in Rome over Djokovic in the finals for his biggest clay court title to date. Could a rematch be in order in 2017? I wouldn't bet against it. For good measure, can the Scottsman continue to reach the semis or better in Paris and add to his own legend? Time will tell.
Pugmire, Jerome. "Djokovic's French Open Semifinal Is 4th Day In Row On Court." The Big Story. Associated Press, 02 June 2016. Web. 26 June 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7c258cae387e4ec
6a140e051c32762c3/djokovics-french-open-semifinal-4th-day-row-court.
"Official Site of Men's Professional Tennis." ATP World Tour. Emirates. Web. 26 June. 2016, http://www.atpworldtour.com/
Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Web. 26. June. 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/
Djokovic first had a chance to make it to the semifinals in Paris back in 2006, a year before his big breakthrough. Denying him the chance was Rafael Nadal. They'd see a lot more of each other in the coming years there. But for 2006 (And until 2015), the result was the same every time Djokovic met Nadal in the French. A loss. In this one, Djokovic failed to get a set and defaulted after losing the first two sets 6-4, 6-4. Still, he showed a lot of promise.
But Nadal was King. He'd won in 2005. He'd win it all the next year. And the next. And again in 2008. His semifinal victim in 2007 and the following year was Djokovic. He had his number on clay. At that point, at least.
In 2009, Nadal surprisingly lose to Robin Soderling in the fourth round. Djokovic didn't even make it to the last sixteen, losing to Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets in the third round. It was Roger Federer who finally broke through. Fed had himself lost to the Spainard in the semis of 2005, and then three straight finals. Nadal returned to win it all in 2010. But then Novak began to look like a future French champion.
Djokovic had beaten Nadal in Madrid and Rome in 2011, and had an amazing winning streak of 43 matches. But it was Federer that ended it, depriving the world of the first Novak-Rafa French Final. Rafa beat Roger in the finals in four sets. That gave him seven French Opens, one more than Bjorn Borg. He'd come back in 2012 to set the record straight over who was the best player on clay. Djokovic beat Federer in the semifinals this time around, but couldn't do the same to the Spainard in the finale. Nadal then won an excellent semifinals against Djokovic in 2013, and made it nine French Opens win a four-set win over the Serbian in 2014.
Going for a sixth consecutive French Open in 2015 seemed possible for Nadal. At least, it was until he ran into Djokovic in the quarters. It was Novak who ran Rafael into the ground in straight sets. This was a landmark victory in more ways than one. Djokovic had now beaten Nadal in every single grand slam. But his bid for his first French Open was dashed by a player from Switzerland in the finals. No, not Federer. Rather, Stan Wawrinka. Hitting a vast array of amazing backhands, it was Stan winning his first French Open and second Grand Slam.
Stan looked forward, no doubt, to another finals date with Novak this year. Sadly, Nadal and Federer weren't around by the time the semifinals got underway. Having looked strong in his first three matches, Nadal was forced to default his fourth round match, never even making it on the court. Federer himself didn't come to Paris, battling his own injury woes. So it was guaranteed the second straight year of no Nadal or Federer in the finals of the year's second grand slam. That did feel odd.
Wawrinka, meanwhile, sailed into the semifinals, only to face a man making his third straight Final Four appearance. That would be Andy Murray, the Scot. The Scot had gone five sets his first two matches, but that got the old motor going. From there, he won two straight matches in straight sets. Then he won three straight sets from Richard Gasquet, the hometown hero, after losing the first one. He then disposed of the defending champion in four sets, as well.
Djokovic had a different path. He lost just one set his first five matches, looking like a man destined to win his first French. Could Novak keep it up? Young Dominic Thiem was next. The Austrian was into his first semifinals of any grand slam. All of 22 years old. Alas, he wasn't going to play The Spoiler role here. Down he went in three sets.
In the final, it was Murray taking the first set from Djokovic, 6-3. But then, the inevitable set in. Murray won one game in the second set. Two in the third. Djokovic mounted a commanding lead of 5-2 in the fourth, before a mild setback occurred. This is a tough slam to win, you see!
Djokovic served for the match. But he won only one point on his serve. Murray ripped a passing shot for a break of his own. The Scottsman was scampering and dancing all over the court now, and seemingly had an answer for all the Serbian arsenal. A hold at 30 closed this fourth stanza to 5-4. Djokovic now needed to hold, or this thing was really going to get interesting.
Djokovic didn't want to let this opportunity slip away. Going five was too risky. Quickly, he build a 40-15 lead. Two championship points...Which Murray then promptly erased. The Stubborn Scot was just not going away quietly.
A swinging volley at deuce gave Djokovic a third match point. A long rally ensued. But it was Murray that put it into the net, giving Djokovic the win, and his first French Open.
The win was more than just his first title in Paris. Djokovic had his 12th Grand Slam, one more than Bjorn Borg. He'd also won his 65th ATP singles title. That not only put him one better than the Swede, it also topped Pete Sampras. Pete won 14 Grand Slams, but never the French (Or even reached a final). Novak could tie him (And Nadal, also with 14 majors) this year. Finally, it was Novak's fourth Big Four Title in 12 months. He'd joined a pretty select few with that. By capturing Wimbledon and the US Open in 2015 (He'd also won the Australian Open that year before the French) and following it up with another Australian Open (Djokovic's sixth, tying him with the great Roy Emerson, who coincidentally also has 12th slams.) and a French this year, Novak had become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four in a row. It should be noted that Laver got his in one calendar year, however. Of course, Djokovic fans can always say that when Laver played, three of the four slams were on grass (The French, the obvious exception). Novak is thus the first male to win four Grand Slammers in a row on four different surfaces.
Novak, however, seems primed for at least one more major this year. He surely wants to break out of a tie with Emerson for fourth place on the all-time Grand Slams won list. Next on his radar is Sampras and Nadal. What will passing them due for his legacy? To be honest with you, for me, he's already passed both. He's currently ahead in the head-to-head vs. Nadal, and the titles won count is pretty even. As for Sampras, lacking the French Open alone is a major void in his claim as the best ever. And did he ever have to face a prime Nadal or Federer?
Speaking of Federer, that's where it gets interesting. Federer currently sits at 17 majors. He's been hurt this year, so that will most likely be his final tally. Nothing to be ashamed of, of course. He's also reached an amazing 27 Grand Slam finals and 39 semifinals. Djokovic upended him in that 39th appearance Down Under earlier this year.
So, what does Djokovic need to become the Greatest Ever? Well, if he keeps his focus, I can see him getting another French Open, although a possible barrier will be brought up, shortly. But should Novak win it all again in Paris, he'll join Laver again. Laver was the last man to win all the majors at least twice.
(Although, again, there's something that should be noted. Well, two. Laver won all four in 1962, but as an amateur. When he turned pro for the 1963 year, Rod was barred from playing the majors until 1968, and even there, he skipped the Australian. After winning all four again as a pro in '69, he never again played in the French Open, and only ventured back to his homeland of Australia one more time, in 1971. In all, he only entered eight more Grand Slams after his completion of the Grand Slam at the US Open in '69)
Novak, assuming he stays healthy, will have at least two more full year and the remainder of this one to add to his collection. His winning another French will probably make most experts place him ahead of Sampras, and probably Borg. How about Laver and Federer? Those could be tough. Each of their legacies in sort of written in stone. Obviously, he'll need at least 18 Grand Slams to pass Federer (He has the head-to-head in his favour with The Swiss Maestro, too!) and attain a greater adulation. Laver's time is sort of hard to judge prior to 1968. That could be one for the never-ending debates.
Is there anyone who can stop this? Well Andy Murray could. He's back working with Ivan Lendl (Who's own legacy is missing just one Grand Slam piece, Wimbledon), who coached Murray to wins over Djokovic at the US Open finals of 2012 and Wimbledon the next year. Murray and Djokovic seemed poised for two more meetings on the final stage at the Grand Slams (And maybe even the Rio Olympics!) and Andy would like nothing more than to stop Novak from completing the calendar slam (Keeping Laver's place among the all-time greats secure). Murray himself, coincidentally, has reached the semifinals (Or better) of the French Open the last three years. His play on clay has improved in 2015 and 2016. His loss to Djokovic in the semifinals in Paris in 2015 was his only loss on clay. This year, he went 1-1 vs. Rafael Nadal on clay and 1-2 vs. Novak Djokovic on the red stuff. He even won in Rome over Djokovic in the finals for his biggest clay court title to date. Could a rematch be in order in 2017? I wouldn't bet against it. For good measure, can the Scottsman continue to reach the semis or better in Paris and add to his own legend? Time will tell.
References
Pugmire, Jerome. "Djokovic's French Open Semifinal Is 4th Day In Row On Court." The Big Story. Associated Press, 02 June 2016. Web. 26 June 2016, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7c258cae387e4ec
6a140e051c32762c3/djokovics-french-open-semifinal-4th-day-row-court.
Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Web. 26. June. 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment