Novak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori 6-3, 7-5 in the Canadian Open final, 2016 on hard court in Toronto
It was Djokovic's 4th title at the event. The two had played in Miami final earlier in the year, with Djokovic having won
Djokovic won 66 points, Nishikori 51
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (44/58) 76%
- 1st serve points won (36/44) 82%
- 2nd serve points won (6/14) 43%
- Aces 4 (1 second serve, 1 possibly not clean), Service Winners 2 (1 second serve)
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (22/58) 38%
Nishikori...
- 1st serve percentage (41/59) 69%
- 1st serve points won (26/41) 63%
- 2nd serve points won (9/18) 50%
- Aces 4
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (13/59) 22%
Serve Patterns
Djokovic served...
- to FH 52%
- to BH 48%
Nishikori served...
- to FH 46%
- to BH 44%
- to Body 11%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 44 (23 FH, 21 BH)
- 9 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (3 BH)
- 6 Forced (3 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (44/57) 77%
Nishikori made...
- 36 (17 FH, 19 BH), including 1 return-approach
- 2 Winners (1 FH, 1 BH)
- 16 Errors, comprising...
- 9 Unforced (7 FH, 2 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (36/58) 62%
Break Points
Djokovic 3/5 (4 games)
Nishikori 1/2 (1 game)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Djokovic 7 (2 FH, 1 BH, 2 BHV, 2 OH)
Nishikori 10 (4 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV)
Djokovic's FHs - 2 cc
- BH - 1 dtl
- 1 OH was on teh bounce
Nishikori's FHs - 1 cc return, 1 dtl pass, 1 inside-out and 1 inside-in
- BHs - 1 dtl, 1 inside-out/dtl, 1 inside-in return and 1 running-down-drop shot dtl at net
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Djokovic 28
- 17 Unforced (8 FH, 9 BH)
- 11 Forced (1 FH, 8 BH, 2 BHV)... with 1 BH runnind-down-drop-shot at net & 1 non-net BHV lob
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.7
Nishikori 35
- 28 Unforced (14 FH, 14 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 43.6
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was 6/10 (60%) at net
Nishikori was...
- 10/12 (83%) at net, including...
- 1/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
---
- 1/1 return-approaching
- 0/1 forced back
Match Report
Straightforward match of simple, sound baseline play with Djokovic grooved and far superior on a normal hard court
Standout stats would be Djokovic serving at 76%, winning 82% first serve points and Nishi with 28 UEs in play
Just solid serving from Djokovic and Nishi's usually not unduly rushed or stretched to make the return. 38% unreturned serves in that context isn't good from Nish. 9/16 of his return errors have been marked unforced. Bulk are regulation returns, relatively hard for UEs as they're first serves but balls that aren't much trouble to put in play, though attacking them would take exceptionally good returning. Whatever the case, he'd need to make these kinds of returns to be competitive, and he can't
Perhaps its just a case of Djoko having measured how just how much he needs to go for on the serve to be effective. His 2nd serve comes under very heavy fire - he wins just 43% points, despite 0 double faults and 2 unreutrnables in their (1 ace, 1 service winner) - with Nishi stepping in and looking for near point ending calibre returns, let alone neutralizing or initiative snatching ones, but though conservatively placed, his firsts are pacey enough to discourage this kind of aggressive returning
Nishi's serve is about the same calibre as Djoko's. And he gets just 22% unreturned with just 3/9 return errors drawn marked UEs, amidst Djoko's returning in his usual, matter-of-fact biffing returns firmly and deepishly down the middle, with instant neutralization
About the same number of first serves (Djoko 44, Nishi 41), same number of unreutnrables (4 aces apiece - Djoko has 2 unreturnable service winners too and first serves account for 4 unreturnables), same numbers of FEs drawn (Djoko 7, Nishi 6). Nishi just missing more makeable returns (6 UEs to Djoko's 3) making up Djoko's significant 16% unreturned lead
Then they rally. Djoko hits firmly and with good depth off both sides, with regular longline change-ups. Off the FH, he goes longline almost as often as cc. Its not attacking play, its probing neutral/pressuring play - a step up from who-blinks-first, a step down from beat-down. Very little for Nishi to attack. Not easy to hit back with equal authority at consistency level Djoko shows. And apt to ease into more attacking plays smoothly if Nishi starts hitting weaker - which the depth encourages
This is Djoko's usual first string of play. As it proves good enough to squeeze Nishi out, no need to go to anything higher
Once return is made, plays unfolds to tune of -
Winners - Djoko 7, Nishi 10
Errors forced - Djoko 7, Nishi 11
UEs - Djoko 17, Nishi 28
UEs are very balanced across wings for both players
- Djoko 8 FH, 9 BH
- Nishi 14 off each side
... indicating dual winged nature of action. In fact, Djoko seems to play slightly more to Nishi's BH, with very high proportion of neutral FH longline change-ups amidst cc rallies
Its not just UEs that are balanced across wings. For Nishi, everything is (4 winners off each wing, and he's got 1 more BH FE). Djoko's winners are negligibly small in being balanced (2 FH, 1 BH), but his FEs are nearly all BHs (1 FH, 8 BH)
Low UEFIs - Djoko 44.7, Nishi 43.6 - is good for Djoko, an indicator of deadening down play
Putting it all together - Djokovic leads baseline action with at most pressuring groundies. He doesn't attack, but he does probe and there's no easy way for Nishi to liven things up with angles or power because Djoko's depth is particularly good. And he largely squeezes Nishi out
Its not case of Djoko playing well or Nishi playing poorly. Just Djoko looking a calibre above from the back
Match Progression
Easy, grooved play from Djoko throughout. It gets him a break to take the first set and puts him a break up in the second.
Nishi has a little hot run where he wins 13/15 points during which he snatches the break back, sandwiched between easy holds and then leading 0-15 on Djoko's next service game. And then normal service is resumed... grooved play from Djoko, Nishi reacting and Djoko coming out ahead. He breaks in an error filled game to lead 6-5 before serving it out
Summing up, clinical showing and win for Djokovic - solid on the serve and off the ground (particularly the serve) and typically effective in returning neutralizingly without strain. Not a bad showing from Nishikori but he's simply not as good in any of these areas
Stats for pair's Miami final - Duel Match Stats/Report - Djokovic vs Raonic & Djokovic vs Nishikori, Indian Wells & Miami finals, 2016 | Talk Tennis (tennis-warehouse.com)
It was Djokovic's 4th title at the event. The two had played in Miami final earlier in the year, with Djokovic having won
Djokovic won 66 points, Nishikori 51
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (44/58) 76%
- 1st serve points won (36/44) 82%
- 2nd serve points won (6/14) 43%
- Aces 4 (1 second serve, 1 possibly not clean), Service Winners 2 (1 second serve)
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (22/58) 38%
Nishikori...
- 1st serve percentage (41/59) 69%
- 1st serve points won (26/41) 63%
- 2nd serve points won (9/18) 50%
- Aces 4
- Double Faults 2
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (13/59) 22%
Serve Patterns
Djokovic served...
- to FH 52%
- to BH 48%
Nishikori served...
- to FH 46%
- to BH 44%
- to Body 11%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 44 (23 FH, 21 BH)
- 9 Errors, comprising...
- 3 Unforced (3 BH)
- 6 Forced (3 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (44/57) 77%
Nishikori made...
- 36 (17 FH, 19 BH), including 1 return-approach
- 2 Winners (1 FH, 1 BH)
- 16 Errors, comprising...
- 9 Unforced (7 FH, 2 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Return Rate (36/58) 62%
Break Points
Djokovic 3/5 (4 games)
Nishikori 1/2 (1 game)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Djokovic 7 (2 FH, 1 BH, 2 BHV, 2 OH)
Nishikori 10 (4 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV)
Djokovic's FHs - 2 cc
- BH - 1 dtl
- 1 OH was on teh bounce
Nishikori's FHs - 1 cc return, 1 dtl pass, 1 inside-out and 1 inside-in
- BHs - 1 dtl, 1 inside-out/dtl, 1 inside-in return and 1 running-down-drop shot dtl at net
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Djokovic 28
- 17 Unforced (8 FH, 9 BH)
- 11 Forced (1 FH, 8 BH, 2 BHV)... with 1 BH runnind-down-drop-shot at net & 1 non-net BHV lob
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.7
Nishikori 35
- 28 Unforced (14 FH, 14 BH)
- 7 Forced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 43.6
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was 6/10 (60%) at net
Nishikori was...
- 10/12 (83%) at net, including...
- 1/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
---
- 1/1 return-approaching
- 0/1 forced back
Match Report
Straightforward match of simple, sound baseline play with Djokovic grooved and far superior on a normal hard court
Standout stats would be Djokovic serving at 76%, winning 82% first serve points and Nishi with 28 UEs in play
Just solid serving from Djokovic and Nishi's usually not unduly rushed or stretched to make the return. 38% unreturned serves in that context isn't good from Nish. 9/16 of his return errors have been marked unforced. Bulk are regulation returns, relatively hard for UEs as they're first serves but balls that aren't much trouble to put in play, though attacking them would take exceptionally good returning. Whatever the case, he'd need to make these kinds of returns to be competitive, and he can't
Perhaps its just a case of Djoko having measured how just how much he needs to go for on the serve to be effective. His 2nd serve comes under very heavy fire - he wins just 43% points, despite 0 double faults and 2 unreutrnables in their (1 ace, 1 service winner) - with Nishi stepping in and looking for near point ending calibre returns, let alone neutralizing or initiative snatching ones, but though conservatively placed, his firsts are pacey enough to discourage this kind of aggressive returning
Nishi's serve is about the same calibre as Djoko's. And he gets just 22% unreturned with just 3/9 return errors drawn marked UEs, amidst Djoko's returning in his usual, matter-of-fact biffing returns firmly and deepishly down the middle, with instant neutralization
About the same number of first serves (Djoko 44, Nishi 41), same number of unreutnrables (4 aces apiece - Djoko has 2 unreturnable service winners too and first serves account for 4 unreturnables), same numbers of FEs drawn (Djoko 7, Nishi 6). Nishi just missing more makeable returns (6 UEs to Djoko's 3) making up Djoko's significant 16% unreturned lead
Then they rally. Djoko hits firmly and with good depth off both sides, with regular longline change-ups. Off the FH, he goes longline almost as often as cc. Its not attacking play, its probing neutral/pressuring play - a step up from who-blinks-first, a step down from beat-down. Very little for Nishi to attack. Not easy to hit back with equal authority at consistency level Djoko shows. And apt to ease into more attacking plays smoothly if Nishi starts hitting weaker - which the depth encourages
This is Djoko's usual first string of play. As it proves good enough to squeeze Nishi out, no need to go to anything higher
Once return is made, plays unfolds to tune of -
Winners - Djoko 7, Nishi 10
Errors forced - Djoko 7, Nishi 11
UEs - Djoko 17, Nishi 28
UEs are very balanced across wings for both players
- Djoko 8 FH, 9 BH
- Nishi 14 off each side
... indicating dual winged nature of action. In fact, Djoko seems to play slightly more to Nishi's BH, with very high proportion of neutral FH longline change-ups amidst cc rallies
Its not just UEs that are balanced across wings. For Nishi, everything is (4 winners off each wing, and he's got 1 more BH FE). Djoko's winners are negligibly small in being balanced (2 FH, 1 BH), but his FEs are nearly all BHs (1 FH, 8 BH)
Low UEFIs - Djoko 44.7, Nishi 43.6 - is good for Djoko, an indicator of deadening down play
Putting it all together - Djokovic leads baseline action with at most pressuring groundies. He doesn't attack, but he does probe and there's no easy way for Nishi to liven things up with angles or power because Djoko's depth is particularly good. And he largely squeezes Nishi out
Its not case of Djoko playing well or Nishi playing poorly. Just Djoko looking a calibre above from the back
Match Progression
Easy, grooved play from Djoko throughout. It gets him a break to take the first set and puts him a break up in the second.
Nishi has a little hot run where he wins 13/15 points during which he snatches the break back, sandwiched between easy holds and then leading 0-15 on Djoko's next service game. And then normal service is resumed... grooved play from Djoko, Nishi reacting and Djoko coming out ahead. He breaks in an error filled game to lead 6-5 before serving it out
Summing up, clinical showing and win for Djokovic - solid on the serve and off the ground (particularly the serve) and typically effective in returning neutralizingly without strain. Not a bad showing from Nishikori but he's simply not as good in any of these areas
Stats for pair's Miami final - Duel Match Stats/Report - Djokovic vs Raonic & Djokovic vs Nishikori, Indian Wells & Miami finals, 2016 | Talk Tennis (tennis-warehouse.com)
