The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Canas, Djokovic in final

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Sunday, Apr 01, 2007
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Canas, Djokovic in final

MIAMI: Best known as Roger Federer's new nemesis, Guillermo Canas may soon have another honorific: Sony Ericsson Open champion.

The Argentine advanced to the final with another hustling, blue-collar performance on Friday night, beating Ivan Ljubicic 7-5, 6-2.

On Sunday, the 29-year-old Canas will play 19-year-old Novak Djokovic, who swept the final 11 games to beat Andy Murray 6-1, 6-0.

``I feel amazing,'' Canas said. ``For me it was great to beat Roger twice in these two weeks, and now I'm in the final. This is a dream for me.''

The big difference was that Canas played the big points better. While Ljubicic went 0-for-7 on break-point chances, Canas converted 3-of-3.

Pivotal point

That included the pivotal point of the match, when Canas came up with perhaps the shot of the tournament. He retreated for a lob, back to the net, spun as he hit a no-look forehand and pulled it down the line, past Ljubicic for a winner.

The shot produced the first break of the match and put Canas ahead to stay, 6-5. He served out the set, then broke twice more in the second set.

Djokovic's game is thriving on the island, too. The 10th-seeded Serbian wields a big serve and forehand but also has a deft touch, as Murray discovered.

Djokovic won at least 10 points with drop shots — sliced floaters that landed softly just over the net. Murray frantically chased them, once nearly impaling himself on the net post.

The tactic repeatedly drew Murray out of position to scoop the ball back, and Djokovic would then hit into the open court for a winner. ` — AP

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