Djokovic v Nadal Final - Live

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*Now Live Final Discussion Here*

I am quite looking forward to the final at the moment. Opinions were mixed about their last gruelling meeting here, which made their US Open career head to head 1-1, but I personally thought it was their best match. The faster court encourages even defensive players to try a few aggressive shots, and the rivalry between the two is also in better balance than before, than when Djokovic was dominating it. We used to talk about Djok in Rafa’s head, mentally dominating, it’s not quite so clear cut now Rafa has a win on hard and won their last slam meeting, admittedly on clay and only just.

To my mind, whoever wins this is #1. Whoever wins it will be the only player with 2 slams in the calendar year. If Djokovic wins it he will be able to point to the official rankings, holding both hard court slams as well as the world tour finals, being perhaps a net touch away from the French Open as well, and a Wimbledon final.

If Rafa wins he will be clearly the best player in 2013, in both masters series (5-1 in such tournament wins vs Djokovic in 2013) as well as slams, and will be second in the rankings purely because of time out through to injury. He will be locker room #1 with the official rankings just needing some time to catch up to the truth. Djokovic cannot realistically claim to be the locker room #1 if he has only won the least important slam in the last 2 full years.

The rankings battle is now being engaged in terms of total weeks at number 1 as well, with Djokovic on course to catch Rafa up in a few weeks (both have about 100, Djokovic just under, Rafa just over).

10 Reasons Why Djokovic will win tomorrow:
1. The faster hard court should suit Djokovic a little more as he is relatively more aggressive – the fast speed makes it that bit harder for Nadal to chase down forehands struck out wide from the middle of the court, for instance.
2. Rafa hasn’t beaten him in a non-clay slam since 2010. Djokovic has come out on top in last three non-clay slam meetings.
3. The better backhand and the 2 hander response to Rafa’s high, spinny shots.
4. He is the number one player of the last 12 months.
5. His best on a hard court is better than anyone’s since 2011 - he has won 3 hard court slams since Rafa won one, and has a career total of 5 hard court slams compared to only 2 for Rafa.
6. He has often worked Rafa out tactically in the rivalry.
7. When Djokovic gets behind or has match points against him, he gets even better. The stadium of “the shot” could inspire again.
8. Djokovic very nearly beat him at the French Open, with the change of surface, Djokovic should be able to convert that into a victory.
9. New (since 2011) Djokovic leads the head to head 8-5. Results before then are when he was a lesser player.
10. Djokovic leads the career hard court head to head 11-6. Even the old, pre-peak Djokovic tended to beat peak Rafa on hard court at least half the time.

10 Reasons Why Nadal will win tomorrow:
1. He has won their last two slam meetings.
2. The better forehand.
3. Djokovic’s smash still slightly looks dodgy to me even though it hasn’t been exposed yet in this tournament, just one or two lost points can be costly in a tight match. It cost him last time, and he still hasn’t fixed it. You can bet Rafa will test it.
4. He is the number one player of 2013.
5. Nadal leads 21–15 in the rivalry. In Grand Slams, Nadal leads 7–3. In best-of-five matches, Nadal leads 8–3.
6. Rafa is much more the form player, having not lost on hard court this season.
7. He won their last head to head meeting on a hard court.
8. He has lost only one set on his way to the final, while Djokovic has last three. 6-7 is his worst set, but Djokovic’s losses were 2-6, 3-6 and 3-6 again.
9. Rafa had the easier semi final (although he did play second), so may have a little more energy for a 5-hour marathon.
10. Rafa has won double the number of slams in his career that Djokovic has (12-6).

Bookmakers are making Rafa the 60/40 or 55/45 favourite, but I am not sure about that, I think it is more like 50/50 and Djokovic’s hard court record and recent years head to head still counts for a lot.

This service game is so important, Nadal needs this first set more than Djokovic

4-2 Nole seems to be a little flustered

Nole could be 2 sets and 5-0 down and I still wouldn't be 100% nerve free

CJ - Make that two sets 5-0, and 40-0 down. The minute I hear that Serbian roar, I fear the tide has turned

Djoko a little tired, no depth or power in shots. Stan match was too long for a SF.

If Novak goes more defensive he's more likely to win IMO, he shouldn't try and out hit Rafa

But neither can he outlast Rafa, don't think Djoko can take 5h of play here. He doesn't look that fresh.

15-40

They say the obvious answer is normally the right one... With that in mind, who would have thought the solution to breaking down Nole's backhand was simply attacking it harder?

What was Nadal moaning about then?

Someone in public called twice Yeah during points, making Rafa think he won the point.

Djoko has to take those chances. Such routine misses. Not good!

That would have been tough on Nole,

Djokovic's shoulder slumping negative body language is the oldest (and most effective) trick in his book. Nadal just needs to keep doing what he's been doing...

Attrition at its best.

Great rally! Good to see that idiot has been asked to leave by security.

Djoko might wake up, but would be too late, he's not in the zone, not gonna happen tonight for him.

Think its a tad harsh, to kick the guy out. Probably paid a decent dosh for his tickets, and his essentially been asked to leave for being excited at a GS final.

What a shot by Nadal!!!!!

This is a massacre, spanish style.

Nadal's footwork is unparalleled. You know Novak's in trouble when he resorts to shouting Serbian

What a backhand by Rafa. Sense that its one of those days for Novak...

The only way Djoko can win this match is by intimidating Nadal out and its happening the reverse way Rafa his intimidating Djoko at the moment with his power game.

If it's true that the same guy shouted out three times, being warned by the umpire after the second time and by uncle toni after the third and still not apologising, I think definately get rid. Can't have him interrupting a slam final. With 20,000 there and millions watching on TV, and $ millions and history at stake, can't have one person spoil it. They could offer to refund/resale his ticket though.

Novak starting to go through the gears now but Rafa is already racing.

ALPanorak wrote:Nadal's footwork is unparalleled. You know Novak's in trouble when he resorts to shouting Serbian

Fed's footwork at his peak could be the best ever, and he did that with very little effort. 

On the contemporary Nadal's speed on foot or the speed of the wheels is unparallaed, coz he can run like a rabbit to cover every part of court for several hours.

Nadal needs the forehand down the line to be on song to be playing well, same as djoko needs that down the line backhand.
If, IF, he rediscovers it, he can come back. But i just cannot see it. Confidence and belief is what he needs in abundance and he is still lacking in this department atm.

Thats one of the best lobs I have seen in the game.  well played Djoko.

Finally Djoko's backhand is coming on its own, thats the weapon that will win or lose the game for Nole.

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

You feel that djoko has to painstakingly slow, inch and claw his way back mm by mm, such is the consistency of nadal and unrelenting consistency and concentration.
A let up from Nadal could easily be a break to love on nole's serve.


WHAT A POINT!!!!

Rally of the tournament.

BRILLIANT!!!

OMG, I hope Rafa and Djoko stay alive after this match, this is getting too much, they both excel in defense and each killing each other in it, great point but I am worried for them  

Wow just wow

Of course, he'll probably break straight back...

Uh oh sponge mode Djokovic activated?

Its started in truth now. That rally will be the rule, and not the exception

Oh my word

IC, feeling a little emotional tonight?

Another blooming DF!

Jahu wrote:IC, feeling a little emotional tonight?

I don't know whom to support really, so not emotional, they are playing real great, both showing die hard attitude, but can't see this match be played 5 sets this way, they gonna be in serious bad condition after this match if thats the case. 

Every time Djoko cheers and gets happy a little more then usual, he gets broken back.

damn it nole!

They've killed each other off before though...

Dont have an aneurysm now, HM.

HM Murdoch wrote:Of course, he'll probably break straight back...

Told you! If anything was predictable, it was Novak would have a brain fart,

Thats pathetic for Nole, he worked real hard for the break to give it up easy, his body can't take it I guess however his mind not ready to accept any excuse from his body.

Nadal is like those cockroaches that survive nuclear bombs, and All known pesticides!