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Novak Djokovic summons gladiator spirit to beat Milos Raonic in Rome Novak Djokovic summons gladiator spirit to beat Milos Raonic in Rome
(35 minutes later)
The road that runs behind the Foro Italico, the deceptively serene headquarters of Italian tennis, is called Viale dei Gladiatori, and on the sun-baked clay of Campo Centrale on Saturday yesterday afternoon Novak Djokovic looked every inch the bloodied warrior. The road that runs behind the Foro Italico, the deceptively serene headquarters of Italian tennis, is called Viale dei Gladiatori, and on the sun-baked clay of Campo Centrale, on Saturday Novak Djokovic looked every inch the bloodied warrior.
He prevailed, taking three hours to beat the young Canadian Milos Raonic, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3. And tennis wasn't at the forefront of his considerations, we learned later, as he inscribed the lens of the courtside camera with an exhortation to spare a thought for his native Serbia, where floods have claimed at least 20 lives. He prevailed, taking three hours to beat the young Canadian Milos Raonic, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3. And tennis was not at the forefront of his considerations, we learned later, as he inscribed the lens of the courtside camera with an exhortation to spare a thought for his native Serbia, where floods have claimed at least 20 lives.
Raonic came from 0-2 down to take first tie-break and forced the second one with almost irreverent ease, a chip clipping the net to dribble out of reach of his increasingly exasperated opponent. But Djokovic stuck at it and, with his new mentor Boris Becker turning dangerously pink in the stands, built on a 2-0 lead in the breaker to level at a set apiece. It wasn't until he broke and held to love in the third set that Djokovic looked vaguely relaxed, although he had to serve through deuce in the eighth game, forcing Raonic to serve to stay in the match, which was when the Canadian's resistance eventually crumbled, his last forehand dribbling into the net. Djokovic did what champions do: he found a way. Raonic came from 2-0 down to take the first tie-break and forced the second one with almost irreverent ease, a chip clipping the net to dribble out of reach of his increasingly exasperated opponent.
But Djokovic stuck at it and, with his new mentor, Boris Becker, turning dangerously pink in the stands, built on a 2-0 lead in the breaker to level at a set apiece. It was not until he broke and held to love in the third set that Djokovic looked vaguely relaxed, although he had to serve through deuce in the eighth game, forcing Raonic to serve to stay in the match, which was when the Canadian's resistance eventually crumbled, his last forehand dribbling into the net. Djokovic did what champions do: he found a way.
Still, the perception that the game's established front-runners are struggling more in 2014 has growing credibility. Rafael Nadal was heading for defeat before the retirement win in the Madrid final against Kei Nishikori; the Swiss aces, Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, went early here; and Andy Murray left in a defiant blaze against Nadal on Friday night. In Rome last year, Djokovic lasted three rounds and won 39 of 63 games, a modest effort – before suffering for his art in Paris, where his first three matches en route to the semi-finals (losing in four sets to Rafael Nadal), took him through 82 games and nine sets. In this campaign, he has struggled far more than last year: his first three matches taking 79 games over eight sets, not far short of his efforts in five-setters at the 2013 French Open.Still, the perception that the game's established front-runners are struggling more in 2014 has growing credibility. Rafael Nadal was heading for defeat before the retirement win in the Madrid final against Kei Nishikori; the Swiss aces, Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, went early here; and Andy Murray left in a defiant blaze against Nadal on Friday night. In Rome last year, Djokovic lasted three rounds and won 39 of 63 games, a modest effort – before suffering for his art in Paris, where his first three matches en route to the semi-finals (losing in four sets to Rafael Nadal), took him through 82 games and nine sets. In this campaign, he has struggled far more than last year: his first three matches taking 79 games over eight sets, not far short of his efforts in five-setters at the 2013 French Open.
Djokovic will play the winner of the second semi-final, between Nadal and Gregor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, in Sunday's final.Djokovic will play the winner of the second semi-final, between Nadal and Gregor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, in Sunday's final.
The young pups, meanwhile, are thriving. Saturday was only the second time two players born in the Nineties had reached the semi-final of a Masters 1000 tournament: Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov.If the men have again dominated the tennis headlines here this week, it is because that is where the drama has resided. Maria Sharapova's defeat caused a minor tremor but little else of significance rippled through the women's draw, the continued dominance of Serena Williams taken for granted. The young pups, meanwhile, are thriving. Saturday was only the second time two players born in the Nineties had reached the semi-final of a Masters 1000 tournament: Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov.If the men have again dominated here it is because that is where the drama has resided. Maria Sharapova's defeat caused a minor tremor but little else of significance rippled through the women's draw, the continued dominance of Serena Williams taken for granted.
Sara Errani has had no problem tugging at Italian heartstrings, though, and on Saturday she advanced to final with an impressive 6-3, 7-5 win over the former two-time Rome champion Jelena Jankovic. Sara Errani has had no problem tugging at Italian heartstrings, though, and she advanced to Sunday's final with an impressive 6-3, 7-5 win over the former two-time Rome champion Jelena Jankovic.
The Serb was in good form, too, having beaten world No 3 Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the semis, her third success against a top 10 player this year. Kevin Mitchell The Serb was in good form, too, having beaten the world No 3, Agnieszka Radwanska, to reach the semis, her third success against a top-10 player this year.