Novak Djokovic may have finally gotten into the head of Rafael Nadal as the world’s top two players face off in the finals of the 2011 U.S. Open on Monday. As he did in the first set, Nadal jumped out to a 2-0 lead and seemed poised to tie up the match at a set apiece. Once again, Djokovic survived an early scare and held on for a 6-4 second-set victory to move within a set of the title.
Novak Djokovic Puts Rafael Nadal On The Ropes In U.S. Open Final
Early in the second set, Nadal was up 40-love with a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead. He couldn’t hold serve, though, and Djokovic ultimately won four straight games.
The turning point of the set came in Nadal’s next chance to serve with a chance to go up 3-1. In that game, Nadal fought off five break points before Djokovic finally finished it off to bring the set 2-2.
Unlike the first set, Nadal was able to at least temporarily halt Djokovic’s momentum. He fought off a couple break points to hold at 4-3 and then broke back to get to 4-4. But Nadal could not keep up the momentum and was broken in the next game to fall behind 5-4.
Nadal has now been broken six times in the match’s first two sets, with Djokovic winning 52 percent of his receiving points.
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