By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, May 13, 2016
A defiant Novak Djokovic fought off five set points in the second set subduing Rafael Nadal for the seventh straight time, 7-5, 7-6 (4) to reach the Rome semifinals.
Photo credit: Internazional BNL d'Italia
Skid marks zig-zagged across the red clay like lines spiking during an EKG test. Novak Djokovic navigated a heart-racing thriller with a committed revival run.
Channeling his inner gladiator, Djokovic beat back a spirited challenge from Rafael Nadal prevailing in a pulsating 7-5, 7-6 (4) triumph that propels him into the Rome semifinals for the seventh time.
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It was Djokovic's seventh straight win over the King of Clay; he's won 15 straight sets extending his edge to 26 to 23 in their historic head-to-head series.
The two-time reigning champion rides a 13-match Rome winning streak into the semifinals against sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori, who defeated 13th-seeded Dominic Thiem, 6-3, 7-5, in today's final quarterfinal. Djokovic has won 10 of 12 meetings with Nishikori.
The Eternal City was the ideal venue for episode 49 of the Enduring Rivalry.
Seven-time Rome champion Nadal built break leads in both sets and served for the second set at 5-4.
The world No. 1 brought buzz-kill brilliance and energized defiance to critical points in his comeback.
Djokovic fought off five set points in a gripping 11-minute game breaking to level 5-all in the second set.
That rousing stand came about an hour after the four-time champion roared back from a 2-4, love-30 deficit winning five of the final six games to snatch the first set.
After a scratchy start this 21st clay-court clash between the pair escalated into high drama crackling with some exceptional exchanges that spilled all over the court. The pair traded love holds early, then Djokovic got sloppy.
Anticipating the drop shot, Nadal slid into a re-dropper winner. Djokovic misfired a pair of routine forehands gifting the first break and a 3-2 lead.
Burrowing a body serve into Djokovic's hip, Nadal backed up the break for 4-2.
Down 0-30, Djokovic withstood a tremendous tomahawk forehand from Nadal and a series of his own miscues digging through an 11-minute hold for 3-4.
Though he still wasn't striking the ball with the clean conviction he normally displays, the top seed was still within striking distance.
Empowered, Djokovic threaded the needle with a forehand pass down the line for triple break point. Nadal denied them all, but missed the mark for a fourth break point and ballooned a forehand beyond the baseline.
The four-time champion was level after eight games.
Successive mis-hit forehands put Nadal in a set point bind. He showed guts cranking a forehand down the line then caressing a drop shot to deny it. Nadal saved three set points in all.
Outrageous court coverage and freaky body control helped Djokovic convert the fourth set point.
Eyes riveted on the ball, Djokovic flicked a backhand lob from behind the baseline, raced forward to retrieve a drop volley and closed with a full stretch flying forehand volley.
Fired up winning that frenetic point, Djokovic threw a massive fist pump to celebrate a one-seat lead.
That was the 14th consecutive set Djokovic won against Nadal and it felt like an emotional sledgehammer to the Spaniard's hopes of stopping his skid.
If you think losing that electrifying point to extend an ignominious streak would demoralize Nadal, you haven't been paying attention.
A relentless Nadal broke to open the second set leaving a disconsolate Djokovic to bounce his Head racquet off the red clay, pick it up then bang it against his court-side seat in further frustration.
After Djokovic drilled an ace to cap a love hold for 1-2, Nadal called for the trainer, who cut the adhesive tape wrapped around Nadal's left foot and ankle. Nadal told the trainer he felt the foot was numb."
Free from the taping, Nadal put his foot down securing a tricky hold for 3-1 that prompted both his girlfriend and sister to leap from their seats in support banging on the plexiglass partition in front of them in the process.
The epic 10th game was a test of nerve, emotion and execution.
Djokovic denied five set points then buzzed a return right off the baseline forcing a framed forehand for break point. Leaning into a barrage of crosscourt backhands, Djokovic drew a netted forehand wrenching the 11-minute game for 5-all.
A sensational spinning stab backhand volley from Nadal drew him to 2-3 in the tie break. Djokovic answered winning a physical rally for 4-2. Nadal slashed a diagonal forehand to earn the mini break and close to 4-5, but narrowly missed a forehand down the line for two match points.
Djokovic needed only one blasting a backhand winner to close an electric two hour, 24-minute encounter. Afterward Nadal showed class stopping to sign a few autographs. Djokovic handed his Head racquet to a delirious kid clamoring for a momento from a thrill ride of a match.
It was Djokovic's 16th consecutive Top 10 victory and if you're like me it left you buzzed and breathless hoping to see episode 50 of this rivalry in Paris.