Rafael Nadal looks invincible ahead of the French Open – Tennis Special
King of Clay, Rafael Nadal of Spain, has made it clear from his recent performance that he is the hot favourite to retain his French Open crown.
If we exclude this year’s Mutua Madrid Open which was held on the controversial blue clay, the Spaniard has remained unbeaten on the red clay courts of Europe so far in this year.
Putting in the latest feather in his cap, Nadal thrashed reigning world number one, Novak Djokovic, in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final in Rome to lift his third clay court title of the season.
Djokovic looked helpless, as Nadal dictated him throughout the contest, hitting shots with unmatchable accuracy from all corners of the court.
This victory was important for Nadal, as it will send him into the Roland Garros as the most confident player among the ‘Big Four’. It was also a sweet revenge for Nadal’s loss at the hands of Djokovic in last year’s final at this
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.
The left-hander played on the top of his game not only in the title match but throughout the event, as he did not lose even a single set in the whole tournament. The 25-year-old also toppled in form rivals, Tomas Berdych and David
Ferrer, in straight sets in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
Talking to the reporters after the final, the Spaniard said, "I am happy that I won in Rome without losing a set against the best players in the world like [Tomas] Berdych and [David] Ferrer and Djokovic. I will have this trophy
in my bedroom. It is a dream. [I have] the confidence I am playing well and this comes when I play at the right level. Hopefully I will keep playing like this."
This was Nadal’s second win over Djokovic in as many matches. The Spaniard also beat the Serbian in the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters final last month, ending the seven matches losing streak in the finals against Djokovic.
The Serbian had dented a severe blow to Nadal’s ‘King of Clay’ status by defeating him in straight sets in both of their matches on clay court last year.
Djokovic’s loss in Monte Carlo could be put on his grandfather’s death, as he was visibly upset by the sad incident but he was in perfect condition here in Rome.
The Serbian accepted, after the end of the match, "He is always the favourite, even if I win against him seven times; he is the best player in the world on this surface. I think that the match today was quite close, even if he
won in straight sets.”
Nadal has not yet faced Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, on clay court in this season but still hit a blow to the 16-time Grand Slam winner. In his quest of becoming the world number one, Federer had replaced the Spaniard at the number
two spot but after winning the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Nadal regained his second position in the ATP Singles Rankings.
Nadal will be looking to win his record breaking seventh Roland Garros title in the coming days.
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