Google News Miami Flashback: Novak Djokovic wins first title. Do you remember against who?
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 3141
Novak Djokovic claimed his first Masters 1000 title in Miami 2007, remaining the last teenager with a Masters 1000 crown until Carlos Alcaraz! Novak ousted Guillermo Canas in the title clash and lifted the trophy in the last best-of-five Masters 1000 final! Djokovic cracked the top-20 in 2006 and felt hungry for more in the upcoming season. Novak kicked off the 2007 campaign with the Adelaide title before Federer defeated him at the Australian Open and Dubai. The Serb went to Indian Wells and scored five dominant wins to reach the final, losing it to Rafael Nadal in straight sets.
With those 350 points, Novak secured a place in the top-10 for the first time ahead of Miami. The Serb played as a top-10 competitor in Florida, delivering his best tennis and lifting the maiden Masters 1000 crown. Djokovic defeated Daniele Bracciali with a single break in round two and had a few great days at the office after that.
He toppled Michael Llodra, Feliciano Lopez, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, dropping serve only once in five encounters to book a place in the final. On April 1, the Serb toppled the Argentine Guillermo Canas 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 20 minutes, dominating all the segments to control the scoreboard and claim the biggest title of his young career!
Novak saved all five break points while Guillermo stayed far from that pace. The Argentine served at only 54% and lost 42% of his games' points to suffer four breaks from seven opportunities given to a teenager. Djokovic had the upper hand in the shortest and most extended rallies.
His groundstrokes overpowered Canas, who was still pleased with his campaign in the last four weeks after beating Roger Federer in back-to-back events.
Novak Djokovic won his first Masters 1000 crown in Miami 2007, still at 19.
Novak kicked off the action with a hold at love after a smash winner before fending off a break point in game three.
A backhand down the line stroke in the next game clinched a break at love for the Serb, who cemented the lead with an ace a few minutes later for 4-1 and a nice rhythm. Serving for the set in game nine, Novak held at 15 after Guillermo's forehand error to grab the opener 6-3, looking for more of the same in the rest of the encounter.
After four good holds at the start of the second set, Djokovic blasted a forehand down the line to force his opponent's error and grab a break. The Serb denied three break points in the next game and brought it home after grueling 20 minutes for 4-2.
It took all the energy from Canas, who got broken at love in game seven after Djokovic's backhand down the line winner. Novak saved a break point at 5-2 to take two sets to love lead and make a massive step toward the title.
Guillermo survived multiple break opportunities at the beginning of the third set, struggling with a left thigh injury but staying in touch with Novak until 4-4. The Argentine hit a double fault in game nine to give the Serb the critical advantage.
Serving for the title in game ten, Novak landed a forehand down the line winner to celebrate the crown and begin his stellar Masters 1000 journey that stands on 38 trophies and many records in the premium ATP series.
