Tennis: Djokovic captures Indian Wells title
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns to Milos Raonic, of Canada, during a finals match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament March 20, 2016, in Indian Wells, California. Inset shows Djokovic’s reflection through the winner’s trophy after he won the title for his third straight year. AP
INDIAN WELLS, United States — World No. 1 Novak Djokovic won the Indian Wells title on Sunday with a 6-2, 6-0 rout of a hobbled Milos Raonic, taking the crown for the third straight year and a record fifth time overall.
The defending two-time champ Djokovic, who hasn’t lost in Indian Wells since 2013, earned his 62nd career title and extended his match win streak at the joint ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament to 17 straight.
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The 28-year-old Serb also won in Indian Wells in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015.
Djokovic is hoping Sunday’s victory will be a stepping stone to his first French Open victory in two months which would complete the career Grand Slam.
Djokovic broke Raonic five times and made just four unforced errors compared to 27 by the Canadian, who left the court briefly at the end of the first set for a medical break.
Djokovic needed just 77 minutes to send Raonic packing in one of the quickest men’s finals in the four decade history of the California desert tournament.
Rafael Nadal defeated Andy Murray 6-1, 6-2 in 2009 and Lleyton Hewitt crushed Gustavo Kuerten 6-1, 6-1 in 2003.
Raonic, who usually dominates his opponents with his booming serve, finished with just four aces and two double faults.
He was broken twice early in the opening set and all three times in the second, winning just three points the entire match on his second serve.
Djokovic improved to 21-1 on the season with his only loss coming in Dubai to Feliciano Lopez, whom he beat in the fourth round in Indian Wells.
