Masters Cup - Djokovic books final berth

Eurosport - Sun, 16 Nov 14:52:00 2008

World number three Novak Djokovic overcame injury and Gilles Simon to book his place in the Masters Cup final with a 4-6 6-3 7-5 victory in Shanghai.

Novak Djokovic, Masters Cup Shanghai - 0

Djokovic, who lost all three of his group stage matches last year, will face either Nikolay Davydenko in Sunday's final after the Russian downed world number four Andy Murray 7-5 6-2 in the day's other semi-final.

"It's a huge success for me to reach the final," said Djokovic.

"It would be great if I can end up with the title. I didn't have such a great last couple of months of the season.

"I had this role of the favorite, and probably it's had some impact on me at the start of the match. I wasn't patient enough and made a lot of unforced errors."

The 21-year-old Serb made a solid start to the match, holding to love before winning the first two points against the Simon serve.

But the Frenchman quickly bounced back and found himself holding an early break point in just the third game, which he grabbed when Djokovic dumped a backhand into the bottom of the net.

One break of serve proved enough for Simon to take the first set and although he held four set points in an epic ninth game, Djokovic saved them all, forcing the Frenchman to serve it out.

Simon quickly set up another chance to take the lead, this time on his own serve, and sealed the first set when Djokovic's ill-advised forehand drop shot landed in the net.

Djokovic again got off to the better start in the second set, holding with ease before earning himself break points in the second game. While Simon managed to save them all, he could do nothing in the fourth game when Djokovic did eventually manage to make his advantage tell.

Again one break of serve was enough to settle the set and Djokovic levelled the match in the ninth game when Simon returned wide of the sidelines.

Simon looked down and out at the start of the third set, being forced to defend break points in the very first game before tamely conceding his serve in the third. But, with the Frenchman facing another three break points, Djokovic pulled up sharply, seemingly suffering from cramp in his left calf.

The Serb immediately lost four straight points to allow Simon to hold but, after an injury time-out, recovered and held to retain his one break advantage.

Djokovic served for the match in the 10th game but gifted Simon a tame break back slapping down a poor double fault.

The Frenchman was unable to take advantage of getting back on level terms though and was immediately broken back leaving Djokovic with a second opportunity to serve out the match.

The Serb made no mistake this time setting up two match points, following up a huge first serve with a supremely confident forehand drive volley which he plucked out of the air and placed in the opposite corner of the court.

Djokovic then booked his spot in the season-ending final with a cheeky drop shot that landed smack on the sideline and beat Simon for pace.

Follow LIVE text commentary and scoring of the Masters Cup final in Shanghai here on Eurosport Yahoo! from 8am UK time on Sunday!!

Pippa Davis / Eurosport

Comment 2 - 21 of 21

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  1. Kao sto sam i rekao: SMEJEM SE! Pobede-u dva finalna­ meca!!! Čestitam Nole, Nenade, Daniele -­ Najbolji ste!!!
    We Are The Best!!

    From ZenTale, on Mon 17 Nov 2:00AM

  2. 2:0 like I said :-)
    You can see it on Novak, in his­ movement, when he is going to win tournament. It was­ easy to spot yesterday, he was vey very confinced.
    GO­ Novak ! Go Serbia !

    From Igor K, on Sun 16 Nov 10:27AM

  3. BRAVO, ZIKI AND DANIEL!!! TITLE AND NO1 RANKING.­ CONGRATULATIONS!

    From Emilija Jana, on Sun 16 Nov 8:08AM

  4. Bravo majstori!!! Iskidaću se od smeha ako­ dobijemo oba finala! :) We are the Best! Go­ NOLE&ZIKI!

    From ZenTale, on Sun 16 Nov 6:30AM

  5. Bravo Nole !
    Simmon injured HA HA HA ! cut the @#$%­ !
    For Eurosport, Novak is always fakeing, but Federer­ and others alway for real, common ?!
    Go Novak ! I­ expect your best play tomorrow ! 2:0 against very good­ Davidenko !

    From Igor K, on Sat 15 Nov 6:52PM

  6. as i said, it is a Serbian Open again (Djokovic,­ Zimonjic in finals)!

    From sv.porfirije, on Sat 15 Nov 6:14PM

  7. Srbija NAVIJA!!!
    congrats a zillion... :)))
    Hope Nole­ will win tomorrow...
    Go Nole, GO:)

    From KatarinaD, on Sat 15 Nov 5:57PM

  8. Hmm, bas me cudi da retardi nemaju komentara!
    BRAVO,­ NOLE, SRBENDO!!!
    BRAVO, ZIKI I DANIELE!!!

    From genius, on Sat 15 Nov 5:45PM

  9. WELL DONE NOVAK CAN YOU END THE YEAR LIKE YOU STARTED I­ THINK YOU CAN. IT WILL BE TOUGH AGAINST DAVYDENKO AS HE­ PLAYED WELL AGAINST MURRAY BUT YOU BEAT HIM ONCE IN THE­ ROUND ROBIN SO SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT AGAIN. GOOD LUCK­ TO BOTH MEN.
    ALISON

    From AJ, on Sat 15 Nov 3:41PM

  10. Congrats to Novak! BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!..I agree with No1­ that if he wants to win Davydenko he must play better­ or to be more patient and concentrate tomorrow.­ Sometimes I think that he is playing against himslef.­ It will be equal match and I hope that Nole will make­ one more victory there!!!!!! WISH YOU ALL LUCK­ NOVAK!!!!! ............

    From Aleksandra, on Sat 15 Nov 3:14PM

  11. BRAVO, NOLE, SRBINE!!! Congratulations to both. What a­ match. I thought they barely stand on their feet, but­ what to say for Marray. Yesterday he played fair, but­ remained without energy.
    Congratulations to Ziki and­ Daniel, too!
    Serbia is so proud of you guys.
    I hope­ you'll win the title tomorrow! SRBIJA NAVIJA!!!

    From Emilija Jana, on Sat 15 Nov 3:01PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Congratulations to Nole, but I hope Davidenko will win­ tomorrow.

    From x. y, on Sat 15 Nov 2:01PM

  13. Nole is the best f*** all the rest....napred Nole....

    From sweetlittle, on Sat 15 Nov 1:57PM

  14. Go Nole...not like the greedy murray who want far too­ much...now he is definately too tired to reach the­ finals.He think Dawdenko will be a walk-over..he should­ have relaxed and let Roger go through..Insteady he gave­ in his all. and at what a price!!Finald Nole-Nikolai

    From Afroberliner, on Sat 15 Nov 1:53PM

  15. Congratulations from Bulgaria to all Serbian fans!­ Novak is an awesomely good player, I wish him the best­ luck tomorrow in the final. If he avoids injuries in­ 2009, he can easily become the new Number One... and­ stay at the top. :)))

    From Vladimir Z, on Sat 15 Nov 1:45PM

  16. BRAVO NOLE, ZIKI & DENY, BRAVO JELENA & ANA­ ofcorse and JANKO, SERBIA has sooooooooo many GREAT­ PLAYERS.

    From boki, on Sat 15 Nov 1:28PM

  17. Osvaja Novak sigurno, nema zime... Kakav crni Marej,­ eno ga tamo, umire na terenu, jedva stoji na nogama :-)

    From duci_king, on Sat 15 Nov 1:19PM

  18. BRAVO NOLE, hope you win Masters cup, BUT you HAVE to­ play better and Your servis MUST be better

    From boki, on Sat 15 Nov 1:07PM

  19. BRAVO NOLE. To all the stupid commentators about Nole­ and his play. SHUT THE F... UP.
    "SRBIJA"

    From dukanovicg, on Sat 15 Nov 1:01PM

  20. BRAVO NOLE!!!
    Two master cup finals and two serbs are­ playing, that is fantastic. we are so proud.
    Simon­ plays super tennis, but... better luck next time.
    I­ hope that Nole will complete this tennis year like he­ had started, with Australian open, that would be­ great!!!
    PUNO SRECE NOLE!!!

    From mira, on Sat 15 Nov 12:59PM
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