Tennis
Djokovic wins the Serbia Open for his fifth title
Updated: 2011-05-03 09:51
(Agencies)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates by holding the trophy after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in a tiebreaker in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, April 3, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
BELGRADE, Serbia - Novak Djokovic defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Sunday to win the Serbia Open for his fifth title and 27th straight victory this season.
The Australian Open champion was not always at his best in a match often played in rain and had six double faults.
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Lopez failed to take advantage of seven break points during the match. He had the first two early in the first set at 2-2, sending the ball into the net and allowing Djokovic to win the game with an ace and a deep forehand into the corner.
Lopez had another chance to break in the first set at 4-4 but sent the ball out, before Djokovic comfortably won the tiebreaker.
"I had a dream last night that I will be a hero and the first to beat him this year, but I realized it was very hard," Lopez said.
Djokovic broke twice in the second set and conceded no points in the final game.
At 1-1, Djokovic fell face down after chasing a forehand by Lopez but was not hurt. Lopez had a chance to break at 3-2 in the second set but sent the ball into the net.
Djokovic has had the best start to an ATP tour season since Ivan Lendl in 1986.
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