MONTREAL, Aug 11 (Reuters) Rafael Nadal's hopes of winning the Montreal Masters were ended by Novak Djokovic under the lights as the Serb produced a superb display to win their semi-final 7-5 6-3.
The second-seeded Spaniard had won five of their six previous meetings but third seed Djokovic broke in the 12th game to take the opening set and again in the eighth game of the second to set up a final against world number one Roger Federer.
''This is one of the biggest wins of my career,'' Djokovic told the crowd yesterday.
''I won against him in Miami on this surface and tonight I really played some impressive tennis.'' Djokovic lost to Nadal in the semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon and said he had tried not to let the Spaniard dictate the points.
''I was trying to be patient but aggressive at the same time,'' he said reporters. ''Just trying to make the opportunity for myself so I can finish the point.
MISSED CHANCES ''I was lucky in some moments. But my serve has been really good throughout the week and especially today in the important moments and on the break points I was serving my best.'' Nadal, the winner in Montreal in 2005, missed three chances to break the Serb in the 10th game and Djokovic made him pay, sealing the set when the Spaniard put a forehand wide.
In total, Djokovic, who was the more aggressive player throughout, saved eight break points.
A netted drop shot from Nadal in the eighth game gave him a 5-3 lead and he kept his nerve to serve out for victory.
Nadal said he had known it was going to be difficult to win the match.
''I said yesterday that he was playing well, to beat Nalbandian and Roddick,'' he said.
''Today he played a very, very good match. A very complete match. He was unbelievable.'' Despite the defeat, Nadal was not too downhearted.
''I played good tennis, but maybe I have to improve a little bit more,'' he said.
''But I am not disappointed about my game. I played a good week, semi-finals is a good start of the American season on hard courts.'' REUTERS TB KP0939
The second-seeded Spaniard had won five of their six previous meetings but third seed Djokovic broke in the 12th game to take the opening set and again in the eighth game of the second to set up a final against world number one Roger Federer.
''This is one of the biggest wins of my career,'' Djokovic told the crowd yesterday.
''I won against him in Miami on this surface and tonight I really played some impressive tennis.'' Djokovic lost to Nadal in the semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon and said he had tried not to let the Spaniard dictate the points.
''I was trying to be patient but aggressive at the same time,'' he said reporters. ''Just trying to make the opportunity for myself so I can finish the point.
MISSED CHANCES ''I was lucky in some moments. But my serve has been really good throughout the week and especially today in the important moments and on the break points I was serving my best.'' Nadal, the winner in Montreal in 2005, missed three chances to break the Serb in the 10th game and Djokovic made him pay, sealing the set when the Spaniard put a forehand wide.
In total, Djokovic, who was the more aggressive player throughout, saved eight break points.
A netted drop shot from Nadal in the eighth game gave him a 5-3 lead and he kept his nerve to serve out for victory.
Nadal said he had known it was going to be difficult to win the match.
''I said yesterday that he was playing well, to beat Nalbandian and Roddick,'' he said.
''Today he played a very, very good match. A very complete match. He was unbelievable.'' Despite the defeat, Nadal was not too downhearted.
''I played good tennis, but maybe I have to improve a little bit more,'' he said.
''But I am not disappointed about my game. I played a good week, semi-finals is a good start of the American season on hard courts.'' REUTERS TB KP0939
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