DATES:
July 19 –27, 2008

ORGANIZER:
Tennis Canada

SANCTION:
ATP

VENUE:
Rexall Centre
1 Shoreham Drive
Toronto, Ontario

TOURNAMENT OFFICE:
Tennis Canada
1 Shoreham Drive, Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario M3N 3A6
Tel: (416) 665-9777
Fax: (416) 665-9017

OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL:
Hilton Canada
145 Richmond Street West
Toronto, Ontario
Tel (416) 869-3456 or 1-800-267-2281
Fax: (416) 869-3187

TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS:
Karl Hale , Tournament Director
ATP Supervisors
Tony Cho, Referee

TENNIS CANADA
Michael S. Downey, President and C.E.O.
Derek A. Strang, C.O.O.
Karl Hale, Tournament Director (Toronto)

TOTAL PLAYER COMPENSATION:
Rogers Cup 2008
U.S. $2,615 Million

SURFACE
Hard - DecoTurf

OFFICIAL BALL:
Penn

TICKETS:
Contact: Tennis Canada
Call 1-877-2TENNIS
or visit www.rogerscupmen.com

AJDE NOLE

Novak was made to work hard for his first win. There were many break chances in the first four games of the match, but both players held their services. The crucial moment happened in the twelfth game, when Djokovic used break point to take the set 7:5 after 48 minutes.

The best Serbian tennis player lost his concentration in the second set. Berrer used his chances, and managed to break twice, in the fifth and seventh game for 6:2 and 1:1 in sets.

Djokovic started playing much better in the third set. He broke his opponent’s service in the second game and kept that lead till the end to win the set 6:3.

That gave additional strength to Novak. The German lost his selfconfidence and failed to win a single game in the final fourth set. Result was 6:0 for no.3 in the world.

Djokovic’s second round oponent on Wednesday will be Russian Marat Safin (world no.75) who beat Italian Fabio Fognini in straight sets on Monday.

Novak played former world number one once before. It was in the first round in Melbourne Park three years ago, when Safin was dominant (6:0, 6:2, 6:1).

source: www.novak-djokovic.com

At 2-2 in the second set, “Nole” needed to avoid the 1st set scenario. He hung tough to hold on to his serve. In the following game, Djokovic was insiting on the Swiss forehand, staying as far as possible from, possibly, the best one handed back hand on tour. This strategy allowed the Serb to get his first break opportunity of the match. Wawrinka committed an unforced error on the forehand (one of many) to give his opponent the break. In the following game, that of consolidation, Djokovic was down 0-30. two winner first serve’s and a beautifully touched half volley drop shot put the Serb up 40-30. Novak pumped his fist hard (for the first time in the match) and went up 4-2. This was the key moment in the match. From then on the momentum had shifted to Djokovic’ side for the rest of the dual. The second set was captured by Djokovic 6-3 in again 39 minutes.


Djokovic could now see the victory comming his way. He had the clear psychological advantage on his opponent and put the nail in the coffin by breaking Wawrinka in the opener. He consolidated and went up 2-0 and then 3-1. The strategy of the Serb had now changed. He could be found more and more often at the net after setting up the points nicely. He was letting the talented arm do the talking. At 3-2, wawrinka had the trainer come on court to ease a slight back pain. Nothing serious though. After yeterday’s double disaster with Roddick and Stepanek quiting mid-match, everybody (especially tournament director Sergio Palmeri)was praying that Wawrinka return on court, which he did. He however he was a break behind, and ended up with two breaks against him when Djokovic slapped an inside out forehand on his second match point to seal the deal. 6-3 in 45 min

Final score 4-6 6-3 6-3 in 2h04.

After having hugged Gabriela Sabatinni on the court, who handed him the Crystal Shield, Djokovic spoke in Italian and said it was one of the biggest wins in his career. He made a promise to the MC, Lea Pericoli, that if he wins next year he will do an on court imitation. A request he turned down this year, with the fear that no players would talk to him next week in Hamburg. We will have to wait for 2009 to see the immitator skills of Novak Djokovic, but for that he will need to defend his title succesfully.
Let’s wait and see.
source: http://www.internazionalibnlditalia.it

After easy for Djokovic matches with Andy Murray (6:0 6:4) and Sam Querrey (6:4 6:0) , Novak Djokovic will play with tennis player world nomber 1 Roger Federer [Sui]. Last time they played in semifinals on Australian Open 2008 when Djokovic won his first grand slam after defeating Tsonga in finals.

If Djokovic wins he will play in the finals with the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal (world No.2) and Nikolay Davidenko (World No.4).

In second round in Monte Carlo Novak Djokovic played vs Ivan Ljubicic from Croatia. That was first single match of Novak Djokovic after almost a month. Yesterday Nole played in doubles with Stepanek (CZE) vs Kerr (AUS) and Wassen (NED). Nole and Stepanek won in two sets : 6:4; 6:3.

Today first serve was for Novak but Ljubicic succeed to make break point. In next game Djokovic returned with break point too. There were a lot of mistakes of both players, but Djokovic was more confident and won first set with 6:3.

After 1 hour and 22 minutes match was over and the winner is Novak Djokovic. Tennis players shaked their hands like friends and changed their t-shirts like in a football game :-).

Next oponent for Novak Djokovic will be Andy Murray (world No. 14) who defeated Volandri Filippo in second round.

Next appearing of Novak Djokovic will be in second round in Monte Carlo, Monako. The event begins on thursday 21st April. Tournament budget for prize is 2.082.500Euros, surface is Claycourt. Event ends on 27th April. Last year champion is Rafael Nadal Rafa from Espania.


Masters Series Monte-Carlo presented by ROLEX
April 19-27, 2008
S.M.E.T.T
48, boulevard d’Italie
Le Puccini
BP 212 MC 98004 MONACO CEDEX
Tel : 00377-97-98-70-00
Fax : 00377-97-98-70-01

One of the best mens magazine “Mens Vogue” named Novak Djokovic: “Giant Killer”, in the impressive story about young Serbian tennis player. You can read whole story on the official website of that magazine www.mensvogue.com.