Napahinto si Novak Djokovic nang tanggapin niya ang Rogers Cup trophy sa ikaapat na pagkakataon at hiniling sa mga manonood na yakapin ang kanilang katabi.

Nagtawanan ang crowd sa pabirong pahayag ni Djokovic, ngunit sinimulan ng Serbian star ang naging pahayag nang lapitan ang public announcer na si Ken Crosina at niyakap ito. Nagtawanan na naman ang mga tao at ginawa ang pagyakap sa katabi.

“It was a really wonderful moment,” ayon kay Djokovic. “I did feel that it was just the right moment for me to ask politely the crowd to do that, because in the end of the day, we are all here for the same thing. We are all here to connect through tennis, through passion for the sport.

“It’s nice that we got to sense and feel that kind of energy around the stadium.”

Elasto Painters, nakabawi sa Beermen matapos ang 11-game losing streak; June Mar, nabutata!

Tinalo ng top-ranked Serb ang third-seeded na si Kei Nishikon ng Japan sa iskor na 6-3, 7-5, matapos maantala dahil sa ulan. Nagwagi rin si Djokovic sa hardcourt event sa Toronto at Montreal noong 2007, 2011, at 2012.

Nagkamit ang 29-anyos na si Djokovic ng pitong kampeonato ngayong taon at 66 sa kabuuan, tampok ang record 30 sa ATP World Tour Master. Tangan niya rin ang 12 Grand Slam title sa pagkapanalo sa Australia at France ngayong season.

“After Grand Slams, these are the biggest events we have in sport of tennis,” pahayag ni Djokovic. “Naturally, I’m going to be very disciplined, committed, and focused to do well.”

Nanalo si Djokovic sa kanyang last nine matches laban kay Nishikori na nagtapos sa iskor na 10-2.

“I had too many unforced errors especially during important points,” pag-amin ng Japanese star. “He was returning really well today, I think. I was hitting some good first serves, but he was making returns in deep.”

(Isinalin ni Helen Wong)