Novak Djokovic was the player to beat in 2011, standing above all the rivals and embracing one of the greatest seasons in the Open era. Rafael Nadal remained world no. 1 in the first half of the year, reaching the finals but failing to follow Novak’s pace. Djokovic and Nadal set another Masters 1000 final in Madrid. The Serb beat Thomaz Bellucci 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the semi-final in two hours and 10 minutes for the season’s 31st straight victory. The Brazilian came to Madrid with 11 Masters 1000 wins under his belt, finding the right form on the fast clay and ousting top-10 stars Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych to set the battle against Novak.
Thomaz gave his everything in the opening two sets. He played aggressive tennis and stayed on a high level until the second set’s tenth game when Djokovic grabbed a break to seize the momentum and never look back. Novak got broken twice to keep the rival in contention, delivering four breaks from eight opportunities and crumbling the rival’s resistance in set number three to advance into his first Caja Magica final. Bellucci had more winners and many more forced mistakes, losing ground against the rival who barely put a foot wrong in the last nine games to finish his best Masters 1000 run in the semis.
Novak Djokovic overpowered Thomaz Bellucci in the Madrid Open semis in 2011.
Nothing could separate them in the more extended rallies with five strokes or move, and Djokovic forged the crucial advantage in the shortest range up to four shots. Hammering down his mighty forehand, Thomaz earned a break in the opener’s fifth game. He served well throughout the set and closed it with a service winner at 5-4 after 40 minutes. Serving in the second set’s second game, the Brazilian fended off three break chances to keep his serve intact and send the pressure to the other side. Bellucci closed the game with a forehand winner and secured a break at love when Novak sent a forehand long a few minutes later.
Bellucci brought the next game home with a forehand winner to open a 6-4, 3-1 gap against the world’s leading player, hoping for more of the same in the remaining service games. Djokovic had other plans, though, and he secured his first break in game six to get back on the positive side. With a boost on his side, the Serb delivered another return game following a marvelous defense at 5-4 that gave him the set after a smash winner at the net. Novak was the favorite in the final set, and he proved that on the court. The Serb held at love and broke a left-hander for a 2-0 gap, standing with much higher chances than some 15 minutes ago. Djokovic saved a break chance in the third game to remain in front and seized another return game at 4-1 before sealing the deal with three winners at 5-1 for a place in the final.Ā Ā