Four things we learnt from Indian Wells blockbuster semifinals

The blockbuster Indian Wells Semifinals certainly lived up to everyone’s expectations .

The first match of the semis was between Canadian no. 1 Milos Raonic and the young Belgian David Goffin which went all the way to three sets.  Raonic prevailed in a tight match where he hit 10 aces.  Raonic won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Whereas the second semifinal between World no 1 Novak Djokovic and Spain’s best player Rafa Nadal was nothing short of fireworks. Although, the Serb won in straight sets but the manner and the level  at which the match was played was breathtaking for a set and a half. Djokovic won a tough first set to win 7-6, 6-2.

Let us look at the four things we learnt from the blockbuster semifinals at the hard courts of BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament.

1. Serve Factor – Milos Raonic 

The Canadian served in 63 percent of his first serves at an average speed of 210 kilometres per hour, whereas his second serve averaged at 180 kilometres per hour.  “Milos is probably playing the best tennis that he has ever played,” Djokovic said. “His serve was phenomenal before the start of this season, but it seems like he has improved even more, especially the second serve. He’s going for it more. He’s not giving you the same look.”

He served 10 aces at his blistering speed and was aggressive in his ground strokes. 

2. Getting the competitive edge

Milos Raonic is getting better with each passing tournament. 2016 has been his best year by far. The Toronto native won his eighth ATP World Tour title in Brisbane, where he defeated Roger Federer in the final, before upsetting Stan Wawrinka en route to his second Grand Slam semi-final showing at the Australian Open (l. to Murray), where he suffered the leg injury.

Raonic lost a set for the first time in this tournament and showed his ability to stage a calm and strong comeback. “I feel like I’m dealing with the situations much better,” he said. “Definitely have been playing higher level this year, but I think also when I have had those difficult moments or let’s say some kind of crisis throughout matches, I have found solutions better. I think I have been very more regimented about that and a lot more disciplined with myself and a lot more understanding about the way I need to go about things during the match. And also analyzing and adjusting and accepting things during matches.”

He eventually prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the 3 setter and will aim for his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.

3. A more confident Nadal 

Although, the Spaniard lost the match but the manner in which he played the first set and a half was absolutely top class, like the older version of himself.  He was badly beaten, 6-1, 6-2, in their earlier meeting this year in the final of the Qatar Open. Any success against the Serb, however relative it is, must be appreciated.

After Nadal saved a match point in the fourth round, his misfiring forehand has suddenly come to life and is coming back to its bullying best and he is certainly gaining his confidence back.  Nadal consistently posed problems for Djokovic and forced the first set into the tie break where he lost marginally to the Djoker 5-7.

“I played well during the week,” Nadal said. “I won very interesting matches, good ones, fighting. Today was closer than the last couple of times against the best player of world, so it was a very positive week for me. That’s the way I’m going to try, to follow this way to keep going with this level. If I am able to play weeks in a row at this level, then you start to think about the chances to compete for everything.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5AyUuq9zSI

“I think I played well for a set and a half; then I think he played well the last part,” said Nadal. “I played bad again with my serve at 3-2, and then he finished playing well the last two games. Played at high level.

“I had my chances in the first set. I felt for a moment that I was competing at the highest level possible. At the beginning of the tie-break and at the end of the first set with some 0/15 that I had, I made a few mistakes with my forehand. That’s the only thing.”

4. Djokovic – still a class apart 

After dealing with a tricky first set against Nadal which went into a tie break, Djokovic showed why he is the best as he closed down the first set winning important points to win the tie break 7-5.

Djokovic closed down the match in a professional way, hardly giving Nadal any chance in the second set to win it comfortably 6-2.

“Yeah, he was better; undoubtedly he prefers playing here comparing to Doha,” Djokovic said of Nadal. “I think these conditions played in his favor more because of the ball bounce and the speed of the court.” “I managed to stay composed and serve well in important moments and just believed that I can win,” Djokovic said.

He will face, now, face an opponent who is having a year of his own in Milos Raonic. Djokovic is favorite to win his 27th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 – a record currently held by Nadal. If Djokovic is to win it this time as well, he will have to bring out his A-game to beat the 6 foot 5 inch Canadian.