Novak Djokovic downs Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer is next

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal built an intense rivalry in the opening eight months of the 2007 season, with six duels on the Tour. Nadal defeated Djokovic in the Indian Wells final before Novak avenged that loss in the Miami quarter-final.

Rafa bested Novak in Rome before the Serb bounced back in Montreal. Nadal claimed his first Canada Open title in Montreal in 2005 and could not repeat that success two years later. Djokovic scored a 7-5, 6-3 victory in an hour and 51 minutes in the semi-final, arranging the title clash against Roger Federer.

Novak played on a high level to leave world no. 2 behind and advance into the third Masters 1000 final of the season. Novak became the third U20 player with three Masters 1000 finals in a single season after Marat Safin and Rafael Nadal.

Novak Djokovic bested Rafael Nadal at the 2007 Canada Masters.

It was their seventh meeting and the second victory for Djokovic. He saved all eight break chances, earning a single break in each set to remain on the title course.

Djokovic landed 25 winners and forced Nadal's 30 mistakes. The Serb stood as a more aggressive player and looked eager to topple the Spaniard after tough losses at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Novak built a massive advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes.

He overpowered Rafa in the most extended exchanges to seal the deal in style and set his eyes on the trophy. Nadal saved a break point in the opener's fourth game with a forehand winner and brought it home with a service winner for 2-2.

Serving well, Novak opened a 4-3 gap before Rafa fired a backhand crosscourt bullet in the next one to remain in touch. In the crucial part of the set, Djokovic defended three break chances at 5-5 and forced Nadal's mistake in the next one to steal the opener 7-5 and gain a considerable boost.

The Serb erased a break chance at the beginning of the second set and four more at 1-1, never facing troubles behind the initial shot after that. Serving at 3-4, Nadal netted the slice and experienced a break that pushed Djokovic in front.

Staying composed, Novak held at love in game nine to wrap up the encounter and advance into his third consecutive hard-court Masters 1000 final.