Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal: Final Showdown – Roland Garros 2012
In an epic clash between the top two tennis stars of the world, top seeded Novak Djokovic will square off against the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, in the title-round at the French Open 2012 on Sunday. Both contenders are bidding to make history at this tournament with Djokovic eyeing to hold all four Grand Slam titles since Rod Laver and the Spaniard looking forward to become the first player to shelve Roland Garros title for the seventh time.
The Serbian ace is in tremendous run of form as he trashed the 16-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, in straight sets before setting up a date with Nadal. Djokovic dominated throughout the match and spilled only 17 unforced errors as opposed to Federer’s 46 which made the difference. He lost his serve four times but cashed in seven out of 10 break chances, ultimately formulating a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 score line. As a result, the jubilant Serb not only avenged his loss against Federer at this event last year but also reached his fourth straight Grand Slam final.
Djokovic was quoted after triumphing over Federer in his best match of 2012 Roland Garros, “I played really well when it was the most important, so that's something that gives me confidence obviously before the final.”
The 25-year-old has conquered the last three Grand Slam events after ousting Nadal in the final rounds. His wins include the most recent five-set thriller at the Australian Open final this season.
“It's definitely the most exciting match I ever had in my career,” declared Djokovic. “Considering the fact it was a final, it was just [an] incredible historic match to be part of. It's going to be quite different on Sunday because this is a different surface. [They are] different circumstances. [Nadal] always plays his best here at Roland Garros, and so I expect to do that as well on Sunday.”
The Spanish number one on the other hand has recreated his magic on the red clay courts. He lost to his compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the round of 16 at the Mutua Madrid Open, a blue clay court event. However, Nadal has conquered the remaining red clay court tournaments including Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and Rome Masters where he stunned Djokovic in the final.
Second ranked Nadal maintained his intensity at this clay court Grand Slam event and slaughtered all his opponents in straight sets before reaching the final. His most impressive victory came in the pre-quarter round when he devastated 13th seeded Juan Monaco with double bagels. As a result, he lost just 19 games through quarters, his best record at the French Open.
The 10-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal smoothly plucked his entire serves and capitalised on seven out of 10 break chances to nudge up a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 score line against his fellow citizen.
The left-handed Spaniard lost for seven straight times against Djokovic from the start of last year till the Australian Open 2012. However, he broke the jinx at the Masters 1000 event held in Monte Carlo in April. The Spaniard maintained his form on their next match-up at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia and extended his lead in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head series by 18-14 against Djokovic.
With his spectacular run of form on dirt this circuit, Nadal will crush anyone who comes on his path to re-claim his top rank. The 26-year-old is expected to register a 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 victory against Djokovic.
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