Rogers Cup 2012: Novak Djokovic Will Cruise to Easy Win in Toronto

Novak Djokovic is the last man standing of the favorites to win the 2012 Rogers Cup. Before play even began, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer withdrew. Nadal had withdrawn from the Olympics due to his nagging knee injury and has already opted out of Cincinnati next week.

Andy Murray, the recent gold medal champion from London, withdrew from the field after suffering a knee injury in his opening round matchup against Flavio Cipolla.

With Federer, Nadal and Murray out of the running, Djokovic has become the lone superstar left and most likely winner of this Canadian Masters 1000 ATP World Tour tournament.

A win here isn’t going to turn the tide of his year but it can build momentum for the former first ranked Serbian tennis star as he prepares for the U.S. Open, just two weeks away.

On Friday, Djokovic advanced to the semifinals with two victories (he played two matches in one day due to previous rain delays from Toronto). He defeated Radek Stepanek (2-6, 6-4, 6-1) in the third round and then dispatched Tommy Haas (6-3, 3-6, 6-3) in the quarterfinals.

He’s won the Rogers Cup twice previously, including a victory over Mardy Fish in last year’s Montreal based tournament.

Motivation after failing to earn a medal at the London Games may be pushing him to this tournament win. Or it could be the $2.649 million small reasons awaiting him if he comes out on top.

Whatever the case, Djokovic is back to playing great tennis again and there isn’t a man left in this tournament who can challenge the Serb when at his best.

In the semis he faces fellow Serb, Janko Tipsarevic. Tipsarevic hasn’t been challenged in the tournament but will have his hands full with his determined countryman in their Saturday semifinal date.

Jon Isner will likely be his competition in the finals if he can withstand Richard Gasquet of France. Isner’s strong serve may have gotten him to this point but whether or not he can play a perfect match of tennis against of the world’s best remains to be seen.

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