Novak Djokovic: Emphatic victory

Novak Djokovic has won his record 5th Indian Wells title, thrashing the Canadian Milos Raonic, 6-2  6-0.

He wrapped the victory in one hour 17minutes.

The 28-year-old Djokovic won the  title in 2008, 2011 and then completing the three-peat between 2014-16. He also reached the final in 2007, finishing runner-up to Nadal.

Victory sees the World Number one draw level with Rafael Nadal on 27 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns and extends the ‘Big Four’ dominance at this level, with Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray having won 49 of the past 53 Masters 1000 tournaments.

Raonic had come into the final having lost serve only four times in the tournament, but Djokovic swiftly announced his intent, breaking the Canadian twice as he surged into a 4-0 lead. Raonic stemmed the flow, but could not find a way back into the set as Djokovic wrapped up the opener in 43 minutes, having won more than half the points (52 per cent) on his opponent’s serve.

Raonic left the court for treatment after the first set, but could do nothing to halt Djokovic’s momentum in the second set. Indeed, the Canadian was punished for not winning any of his 14 second serve points as Djokovic broke three times to surge to victory in 88 minutes, having lost only three points on serve in the second set.

The victory in Indian Wells was Djokovic’s  third title of the season, having opened his season with victory in Doha (d. Nadal) before lifting his 11th Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open (d. Murray).

The Serb earns $1,028,300 in prize money and receives 1000 Emirates ATP Rankings points.

By making the final,  the 25 year-old Raonic earns $501,815 in prize money and receives 600 Emirates ATP Rankings points.

*Additional reports by www.atpworldtour.com