Djokovic Pummels Raonic for 2016 Indian Wells Title
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

Novak Djokovic captured his third Indian Wells Masters title in a row, and his third ATP title this season with a 6-2 6-0 pummeling of Milos Raonic. A struggling Raonic, who appeared to be unwell, was playing in his second ATP final of the season and falls to 0-3 in Masters 1000 level finals.

Djokovic had some tough matches in the California desert, but the world #1 remains an unstoppable force when healthy and focused. Djokovic is 22-1 on the season, after wins over Bjorn Fratangelo, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Feliciano Lopez, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Rafael Nadal, along with Raonic this week. He looked listless after dropping the first set to Fratangelo, but he clawed back in that match as the young American tightened up, and he won a pair of tiebreaks over Tsonga. Nadal gave him a good runaround as well, but he was unable to match Djokovic’s level on key points.

Raonic is 14-2 this season, and shook off any injury concerns with wins over Inigo Cervantes, Bernard Tomic, Tomas Berdych, Gael Monfils, and David Goffin. Goffin reached his first ever Masters semifinal with close wins over Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Cilic. Both Wawrinka, and Andy Murray were disappointing in the bottom half of the draw as they exited the tournament early on. Murray dropping a shocking contest to Federico Delbonis. Both Djokovic, and Raonic are set to play a big part in the remaining Masters tournaments and Grand Slams this season.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut beat Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock 6-3 7-6(5), as Canadians went 0-2 in Indian Wells finals today.