Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played their 49th duel in the 2016 Rome Masters quarter-final. Novak scored a 7-5, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 25 minutes, prevailing in the pivotal moments and beating Rafa for the 11th time in the previous 12 encounters since Beijing 2013.
Nadal gave his best to stay in touch and challenge world no. 1, only to fall short in the closing stages of both sets. Thus, Djokovic extended his incredible run and won 15 consecutive sets against his great rival! Rafa had a break in both sets, failing to keep them and squandered five set points in the second to end his run in the last eight.
Both players gave their everything in a toe-to-toe battle, with brilliant rallies, defenses, and winners. Nadal tried to be aggressive and prevent Djokovic from dictating the pace from the baseline. Rafa’s backhand worked well, but his forehand lacked the finishing touch from his better days.
Novak played out-of-this-world defense, reaching balls that no other player would get. Those exciting rallies boosted him and made his fight even harder. Djokovic celebrated his 16th consecutive top-10 victory, dropping two out of 37 sets and dominating the rest of the Tour!
The Spaniard served at 83% and still got broken three times from nine chances offered to his rival. The Serb earned more free points with his initial shot, playing against three break points and giving serve away two times.
Novak had 27 winners and unforced errors. Rafa stood on a 23-31 ratio and failed to win a set despite having plenty of chances. Djokovic won three more points, and there was nothing to separate them in the shortest and extended exchanges.
Both players served well in the opening four games, and Rafa grabbed a break at 15 at 2-2 following Novak’s forehand error. The Serb had to dig deep in the seventh game, avoiding break points and holding after the fifth deuce to remain within one break deficit.
Nadal came from 40-0 down in the eighth game and created a game point that could have sent him 5-3 in front.
Novak Djokovic prevailed over Rafael Nadal at the 2016 Rome Masters.
Djokovic denied it and pulled the break back after Nadal’s forehand error.
They served well in the next three games, and Novak opened a 6-5 advantage with an ace in game 11. Djokovic pushed strong on the return in game 12 and earned four set points. He seized the last with a forehand volley winner at the net to wrap up the opener after an hour and 11 minutes.
Rafa kept fighting and broke at the start of the second set following Novak’s forehand mistake. The Spaniard confirmed the lead with a hold at love in game two and stayed in front after deuce at 2-1. After that loose service game, Djokovic restored the order behind the initial shot and waited for a chance on the return.
Nadal also served well and opened a 5-3 gap, looking good to force a decider and finally win a set against Djokovic. Rafa served for it in game ten, and it turned into a cracker! The Spaniard squandered five set points, failing to win the decisive point and keeping the Serb in contention.
Novak created a break point and converted it to pull the break back and lock the result at 5-5 for a massive boost. Djokovic held from 30-0 down in the 11th game, and Nadal added a hold at love a few minutes later to introduce a tie break.
Novak forced Rafa’s mistake at 5-4 to create two match points and seized the first with a backhand down the line winner that propelled him into the last four.