Novak Djokovic achieved an incredible feat this week in Montreal by beating Andy Roddick, ranked #3 in quarterfinals, Rafael Nadal, ranked #2 in semifinals and Roger Federer, ranked #1 in the final.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The score in the final was 7-6, 2-6, 7-6.

It’s quite unusual to see Roger Federer lose in the final since we got so used to seeing him winning.

Roger lost only 7 finals since 2003 (before Montreal) and won 40.

He lost 6 of the finals to Rafael Nadal and one to David Nalbandian.

This makes Novak Djokovic only the third player in the last 4 years that was able to beat Roger Federer in the final.

How did Djokovic accomplish that?

Here’s what the players said in their interviews after the match:

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Wimbledon saw yesterday 3 exciting and surprising matches where top ranked players lost their leads. 2 of those lost the match, 1 managed to win.

First, Andy Roddick was two sets and a break up against Richard Gasquet and lost this lead and the match 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3), 8-6.

Second, Justine Henin was a set and a break up against Marion Bartoli and lost the lead and the match 1-6 7-5 6-1.

And third, Novak Djokovic was two sets and a break up against Marcos Baghdatis, lost the lead and eventually managed to win in the fifth set 7-6 7-6 6-7 4-6 7-5.

(AFP/Adrian Dennis)

So why do such experienced players lose a lead? Why does this happen? (more…)

Novak Djokovic won a 5 set match today again a French player Patience who fought until the end with huge support from the home crowd.

Djokovic eventually prevailed but he learned some good mental toughness lessons. He also shared some of his thoughts about mental toughness and why he won… (more…)