Novak Djokovic defeated Milos Raonic in the BNP Paribas’ men’s singles final in Indian Wells today. The desert heat reached a high of 94 degrees, making a must-attend March event for tennis fans weary of winter, yet Djokovic didn’t even seem to break a sweat in eliminating Raonic.
In the 1 hour, 17 minute match, Djokovic broke his opponents big serve five times, whereas the Canadian (Raonic) never broke the Serb (Djokovic) once. With a score of 6-2, 6-0, Djokovic won the BNP Paribas Open for a record fifth time, including a third consecutive title. It also puts his 2016 match record at 22-1, and gives him his 62nd career title.
Said Djokovic, after the match: “I’m just glad to be able to raise the level of my game as the tournament progresses, and that’s something that I have been doing in the last two years particularly on the big events. . . I have been managing to win most of the big matches against Top 10 players. Obviously I have a certain routine and certain preparation for these big matches that works for me.”
In the women’s draw, Victoria Azarenka defeated a decidedly off-her-game Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4. With the victory, Azarenka returns to a spot in the world’s top 10 for the first time since August 2014.
