When Novak Djokovic joined Roger Federer in ‘Club 60’
With a notable 83 ATP titles, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have been the most accomplished hard-court players of the Open era. Standing miles above their rivals, Novak and Roger generated the records that will be broken in the future, dominating the Majors, Masters 1000 and ATP Finals for over 15 years.
In August 2020, Djokovic won the 60th hard-court ATP title in Cincinnati and became the second player to do so after Federer. The Cincinnati Masters was held in New York in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and Novak won the notable 42nd hard-court title, moving three past his tall opponent.
Djokovic’s first hard-court ATP title came in Metz in 2006, and he won numerous records on the most common surface over the next 15 years.
Novak Djokovic has become the second player with 60 hard ATP titles after Federer.
The Serbian won three hard-court titles in 2020 from Cincinnati and joined the Swiss on a massive achievement that will take a few hits going forward.
Novak beat Ricardas Berankis, Tennys Sandgren, Jan-Lennard Struff and Roberto Bautista Agut en route to the final to face Milos Raonic. After an entertaining clash, Djokovic won 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours to claim the 35th Masters 1000 title and the second Career Golden Masters!
It was Novak’s 11th win over Milos in as many encounters. He earned it after overcoming a break deficit in the decider and crossed the finish line first despite a terrible opening set. Milos took 27 of 41 points in the first set and delivered two breaks for 6-1 in half an hour.
Novak couldn’t find the rhythm, struggling physically and serving at a miserable 47%. He gave up almost 60% of the points behind the initial shot to push the Canadian in front. Raising his level and starting afresh, Djokovic dropped eight points in five service games in set number two.
Milos lost a play point at 2-3, which cost him dearly. He lost serve for the first time following Novak’s sharp backhand. Djokovic held on to advance 5-2 and secured the set after Raonic’s forehand error at 5-3.
Early on, Milos held on in the opener of the third set and took a break at 15 to open a 2-0 gap. Instead of closing in on his maiden Masters 1000 title, the Canadian lost the advantage and allowed Djokovic to take charge and control the scoreboard.
The Serb picked up 16 of the next 20 points and stole the opponent’s serve in games three and five for a 4-2 advantage. Serving for the title at 5-4, Novak saved a break chance when Raonic netted an easy forehand and forced a mistake from the Canadian to go over and claim the 60th ATP title on hard court.
