Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are the most decorated players of the Masters 1000 series. Alongside over 100 titles, the famous trio has gathered many other records that will take some beating in the future. Federer, Djokovic and Nadal have over 50 hard-court Masters 1000 quarter-finals each, and the battle is between the Swiss and the Serb. Roger leads the field with 59 hard-court Masters 1000 quarter-finals, and Novak stands two behind him following his recent success in Cincinnati. Djokovic prevailed over Carlos Alcaraz in a memorable title clash, securing his 39th Masters 1000 crown and increasing the gap with Rafael Nadal. Cincinnati was Djokovic’s 57th hard-court Masters 1000 quarter-final, needing three more to pass the retired Federer. Novak kicked off his Cincinnati campaign with a win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who retired in the second set’s early stages due to back issues.
It was their fifth duel and Djokovic’s fourth victory, staying on the court for 46 minutes and setting the third-round clash with his old rival Gael Monfils. Competing for the first time since the Wimbledon final, Novak served at 41% and got broken once from four chances offered to his opponent. Davidovich Fokina struggled on the second serve and experienced two breaks, dropping the opener and deciding to retire. Djokovic wrote history in the third round, defeating Gael Monfils for the 19th time in as many encounters! Novak scored a 6-3, 6-2 triumph in 68 minutes, taking advantage of his rival’s almost 40 unforced errors. They had a similar number of service winners, staying behind and embracing baseline rallies. Novak forged the lead in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, leading 6-3, 5-0 and sealing the deal soon after. They both served well after landing in the first serve, and Djokovic won the duel in the second serve department.
Novak Djokovic stands two hard-court Masters 1000 QFs behind Roger Federer.
The Serb dropped 12 points behind the initial shot, losing serve once from as many chances offered to his opponent. World no. 2 turned half of the return points into four breaks from five opportunities, enough to sail over the top and reach his 57th hard-court Masters 1000 quarter-final. Novak battled for his ninth Cincinnati semi-final against Taylor Fritz, scoring a 6-0, 6-4 victory in swift 61 minutes. Djokovic claimed 22 points more than Fritz, dominating the opener and erasing a 4-2 deficit in set number two to emerge at the top in just over an hour. Novak landed 15 service winners and reduced his rival to nine. Taylor hit only six winners from the field and sprayed 24 errors, missing mostly from his forehand. Djokovic had the upper hand in the shortest, mid-range and most advanced rallies to seal the deal in style and remain on the title course.
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