Djokovic flawless, Nadal hopeless as world No. 1 takes Australian Open title

January 27, 2019 Ricky Match recaps 194

The 53rd installment of the Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal rivalry was supposed to be another instant classic.

Djokovic had other ideas.

Producing a master-class performance in a second consecutive match, the world No. 1 destroyed Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in just two hours and four minutes to capture a record seventh Australian Open title on Sunday night. Two days after committing a mere five unforced errors throughout a 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 semifinal destruction of Lucas Pouille, Djokovic made only nine errors in the final.

The top-seeded Serb pounced on Nadal right away, breaking serve in the second game and holding his first four service games at love. He lost a grand total of one service point in the entire first set.

Things never got much better for Nadal, who finished with 28 unforced errors also also struck far fewer winners than his red-hot opponent (21 to 34). The second-ranked Spaniard, who was bidding for his second Aussie title 10 years after his first, earned only one break-point chance and failed to convert it at 3-2 in the third set.

Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjuq9GDYNl4

Full trophy ceremony:

“It ranks right at the top,” Djokovic said when asked where this ranks in his Grand Slam final performances–15 of which have resulted in victories. “Under the circumstances, playing against Nadal, such an important match, yeah–it’s amazing. Obviously back-to-back semifinals and finals, I think I made 15 (really 14) unforced errors in total in two matches; it’s quite pleasantly surprising to myself, as well, even though I always believe I can play this way (and) visualize myself playing this way. At this level, as I said, under the circumstances, it was truly a perfect match.”

“I think, of course, he played I think fantastic,” Nadal praised. “At the same time is true that when he’s playing that way, I think I needed something else. I was not able to have that extra thing tonight, being honest, no. Yeah, was unbelievable the way that he played, no doubt about that.

“The real thing is he played so well. He did a lot of things very difficult unbelievable well. He hit so long. His return was fantastic. He was super quick.”

He was, in short, unbeatable. The real thing, too, is that Nadal was not at his best; Djokovic made sure the Spaniard couldn’t be. But not even Nadal’s best–not anyone’s best–could have competed with Djokovic on this night. He was simply too good.

[polldaddy poll=10223798]

34 Comments on Djokovic flawless, Nadal hopeless as world No. 1 takes Australian Open title

  1. dull was dragging his feet engagement wise. he was most likely pressed by his family to finally do what any gentleman would. or perhaps, he figured out, hey this djokovic is sending me to an early retirement, and i better get married while i still can?

    Reply

    • I’m from Singapore. We do not have four seasons in Singapore. This Autumn or Winter thing, it sometimes depends on where you are, I think Europe may be like say Japan and Korea, so may be it’s from September to November? Of course Australia is different when it’s in the Southern Hemisphere, so it’ll be spring in Australia during that period.

      So I think Rafa will get married after the Laver Cup?

      Reply

      • Oh wow, I didn’t know you were from Singapore, Lucky. I’ve never had communication of any kind with someone from Singapore. How cool! Happy New Year. 🙂

        Reply

    • Miss Okie!!…U came!!…oh my God!!..i can’t believe u came!!..At last!!Ohhohohoho!!…

      Hey guys!….this is Miss Okie!….Like all Rafans,she’s one of the most loyal,true & loving,& amazing Rafans i’ve ever known!…U have no idea how many times she kick my a@$ with her high heels coz i’m talking crap bout Rafa!heeheehee…

      Miss Okie!….WELCOME TO TG!!!!…I told u TG is AWESOME!!…A place where a broken heart got mended..and sometimes a good heart got broken too!heehe…Oh all posters r very awesome too Miss Okie!..I mean ALl!…xcept maybe 1 or 2..heh heh..

      Reply

    • Oh Miss Okie!….U came!!…At last!!Ohohohho!!…Big big welcome to TG Big Bossy!!hehehe…i’m so glad u came!

      Btw my 1st post was disappeared…and it maybe will appear later..anyway…i told u TG r awesome Miss Okie!…Their posters too!…All of them…ermm xcept maybe the rare appearance from some..heh heh…

      Reply

  6. Thx Luckystar,
    Yes, autumn in Europe = Sept – Nov but things are not so clear cut anymore with this climate change. Im from Spain bury live in Belgium, for 20 years now!
    Was in Singapore airport once, on my way to Bali ( honeymoon) and our flight left in the respite between two typhoons
    … I was scared shitless since I don’t enjoy flying on a good day…but we had at pleasant flight. thankfully

    Reply

  7. Hey Lucky!…I gotta ask u something…have u read an article that said Rafa was unhappy about the leak of his engagement to the media?

    And do u remember there’s an article as well last week that showed a so called a ‘strained lunch’ between Rafa & Xisca?…Is it possible that Rafa already knew about the leak at that time & has been bothered by it going to the final?That’s why he seemed’different’ that day?…Many pundits said Rafa seemed off and out of sorts…What we’ve seen that day certainly was not our Rafa…Sorry for asking Lucky….but i’m just curious & wanna know your opinion about it…Thanks…

    Reply

    • Don’t think so Mira. I doubt Rafa let such things affect his game. As I said, there’s no need to worry so much, let’s wait and see how he does at Acapulco.

      I’m sure Rafa is eager to prove that his game is back to where it should be by then. If Rafa is good enough, who knows, he may reach the finals at IW and Miami and may meet Djoko there, and I doubt he’ll get drubbings from Djoko again.

      I hope that should they meet, it’ll be as competitive as during 2011 IW/Miami but this time, Rafa turns the table against Djoko.

      It all started from IW/Miami 2011; Rafa almost beat Djoko in Miami and had he beaten Djoko then, the whole rivalry might not turn out the way it is now. Strange thing about 2011 – Rafa was hitting his BH really well, including his slices, in 2010 but those seemed to have gone missing in 2011. He was going FHCC all the time to Djoko on clay in 2011 and Djoko ‘killed’ him with his CCBH. It’s only in 2012 that Rafa was able to hit a more penetrating CCFH that he managed to beat Djoko thrice on clay.

      Hope Rafa finds that penetrating CC FH and also his BHDTL and his DTL slices too.

      Reply

      • Well, the same thing can be said of the dynamics of the Fedal rivalry. If Fed won in Rome final in that 5-set match 2006, who knows what would have happened…

        Reply

        • Nah, Black Adder. Fed said it himself, that after losing the close match at Rome 2006, he was confident he could beat Rafa at Roland Garros that year; he won the first set 6-1 if I’m not wrong but Rafa managed to win the next three sets and the match.

          It’s unlike the Rafa/Djoko in that Miami 2011 match when Rafa ran out of steam and lost. He became less confident after that match, unlike Fed in 2006 after Rome.

          Reply

    • @MiraAndi,

      Sorry for butting in, but it’s not impossible. No idea what the lead time is for publishing a rag like Hola! But they’d probably have had to go through Benito and I think he’d have told them off and not bothered Rafa with it before the final.

      Reply

      • Lucky & Ramara….
        Thanks for your response guys!…Can’t wait to see him in action again..esp.at IW…Hey!…do u guys think he will continue with his aggressive play or change his tactic a little bit bcoz Novak can figure him out easily in that final…surely it will give other players an idea how to face him if ever they meet….

        Reply

  8. Hi Lucky, Firsty thanks for responding to my posts. Its comforting and reassuring to see a fellow fan have a more positive outlook on Rafas immediate future.

    I agree with what you just said to Mira too. It all changed at IW and later Miami 2011 when he had won the first set and narrowly lost the third on tie break. But it also clearly triggered the change in rivalry with Djokovic steaming ahead. I believe he got rid of the demons in his head at AO 2012. I still remember the regulation forehand he missed at the net at 30-15 to go up 4-2 in the fifth set. Now thats ok .. its sport. its 50-50 and a result of nerves on one single point could be just a bit of bad luck.

    But look at how the AO immediately got him better winning at clay in 2012 and got them even again. What I come back to is how Novak relishes Rafa on the other side and Rafa does not. Wimbledon 2017 yea clutch serve on set point maybe.. maybe a lil more aggresive on the forehad wouldnt have had Djokovic pass him at 15-40 and he would have ended up winning Wimbledon.

    I am sure you are more confident about Rafa than me and I hope you are right. Howeever I am absolutely certain the Rafa of AO2018 could have beaten Djokovic. He had it all peaking up to the semi final and had everything working. I agree with what Hewitt said Rafa being a shadow of himself, being out of sorts, unsettled, unbalanced, lack of freedom of movement and Novak sensing it. Rafa always comes out more nervous than Djokovic in their matches and still produces impeccable tennis until he gets broken or loses the first set. I do feel he has to somehow overcome it and start beating Djokovic again on hardcourts.

    IW would be a wonderful oppurtunity at that. I hope it happens and things get back to 50-50 but what are odds with the last 8 hardcourt matches being straight set losses…

    Reply

    • Rafa is always nervous at the start of his match, but, he won’t let it lead to a loss. It’s more than that for him to lose a match!

      You see, a Rafa with his new found aggression plus his regular game imo would be able to counter this Djoko, I won’t say he’ll sure win the match, but at least he could make it a close one, and who knows, whoever was the tougher of the two might win in the end.

      However, Rafa was clearly not himself when it came to his ‘old’ game – he’s slow off the block, slow in running after balls, slow in defence, subpar ROS, hit the ball into the net after having a BP, even missed the ball with an easy FH.

      I think maybe because he knew his old game was not up to the mark yet hence he was out of sorts, looked unsettled? I also think that he’s not sure his aggressive game was good enough to beat Djoko; he didn’t hit his DTL FH during the match, a sign that he’s not confident out there.

      I do feel that he’s in the right direction with his aggressive game, just get back his footwork, foot speed and his defence, so that he can play an offence and defence game at will. In 2004 as a youngster, he did the offensive game very well yet he’s quick enough when it came to defending; I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t do the same now, when he’s so much better a player now and he’s not slowing down too much in his footwork.

      Reply

      • Rafa is always nervous and yes respectful to his opponents. But the one advantage he gets with the rest of the field is that he gets to win the first set 9/10 and then he steamrolls them by the time he hits the 3rd or later depending on the quality of the opponents. Its a simple pattern where most guys jsut wont get back up with the likes of the Big three.

        I dont necessarily agree he wont let his nerves lead to a loss. 2011 being a prime example how a gradual couple losses in IW and Miami led to a disaster all year with Novak. 7 finals ? for a guy that has the best record in finals until then..

        Here is what I think.. Nadals best vs Novaks best will always be a 50-50 with normal ups and downs (including mentally) within the game. After my dissapointment with the AO. I was just trying to look at how many times Novak got straight set wins over Nadal. and guess what ,if I am not entirely accurate with a manual check, believe it or not.. Its 20 times.. and Nadal did that 8 times and anyone can guess it was when Novak wasnt at his peak yet.

        What I do know is this. Novak beats a nervous Nadal in straight sets.. Nadal at the moment will not get to do that even on clay because Novak has a mental edge along with an almost as good if not better Clay game. Its quite important for Nadal himself and his camp to acknoweldge the mental part and resolve it. Nadals game is as good as ever .. 2010 ..2013 and even as of this date.. The problem I see here is a potential for a 2011 pattern because we have IW next and not Monte Carlo.

        I am not here to make my point or disagree. I am more than happy to see Nadal get back winning slams and masters.I sorta agree with you most part with one exception. If we are saying Nadal is only as nervous as with anyone else, when he plays Novak.. much similar to what he said in his interview.. that is nothing short of denial to me. All I remember is Novak went for broke at a Matchpoint twice at the US because he had nothing to lose and then held on to that winning pattern without any serious setbacks caused by the other end. If Fed can reverse a decade of mental edge with AO 2017 and go on to win 4 or 5 consecutive matches with Nadal. I dont see Nadal not capable of doing the same. But whatever it is the margins are small inside the courts but the mental part can widen with the wins and losses.

        The race to the leaderboard at the moment with GS count is awesome at the moment and it pains me to see Nadal’s loss is the biggest within it.. AO 2017 would have made it 18-19 ( as of date ) couple it with this one.. AO2019 and then wimbleon 2018 maybe win the set point… see where I am getting at.. if he loses, its not just him staying where he is but the other two closing in or moving further away. and to me Nadal as greatest has he is and as unlucky with the countless injuries having him missed those GS numbers.. must have been and clearly deserving to be at the top of the leaderboard and he is not.

        And with Novak his equation is even worse.. Novak has more weeks at No.1 than Nadal..ok Happened for many reasons.. but I fear Novak would push Rafa away on the GS count too .. Unless Rafa fixes his mind and goes for the kill.. Which I see you believe he will…

        Reply

        • PK, regarding the nervous issue, well, don’t think you get what I meant. Rafa is/was always nervous at the start of matches, this is different from having mental blocks against certain players, like against Djoko for example.

          Rafa could always calm his nerve after a few games and so I think it’s not fair to say that he loses because he couldn’t calm his nerve. Against Djoko it’s a totally different issue; I tend to think that after a few losses to him, Rafa may have doubts that he’s not going to beat Djoko again and so he tends to start with the wrong foot in their matches – Madrid/Rome 2011; MC2013 when Rafa was back from long injury break, done well right up to IW but hadn’t met Djoko until MC that year.

          I also think that the two epic matches they played during 2012/2013 – AO2012 and FO2013 – had turned things around for Rafa, knowing that he could stay with Djoko throughout a long epic match and nearly got two wins out of two matches played. I feel that Miami 2011 loss affected him badly, because he was the one who ran out of steam in the heat whilst Djoko was the fitter one which to him was a surprise.

          I knew all along Djoko beat Rafa quite comfortably on HCs esp in BO3 matches, he usually won in straight sets. Believe me, before you went back to count the number of straight set losses for Rafa to Djoko, I’d already counted that since long time ago.

          The problem with Rafa is that he is usually slow off the block and in BO3 matches, once Djoko gone ahead to win the first set, he normally won’t let go the advantage. In BO5 sets, Rafa can afford to start slow, hence their matches are usually hard fought four or five setters.

          Djoko will always have the advantage on the HCs esp in BO3, in BO5, they’re now 3-2 advantage Djoko.

          Reply

          • What Lucky means is 3-2 on BO5 on HC ( AO and US) ..

            Lucky, Yeah I think I get what you mean better now.. My bad. Yes Rafa is nervous I guess always on all matches at the starts.. He has had multiple patters over the years..particularly on HCs and then when not so much in form on CC. With players like Stan or a Cilic or even a Karlovic he had tight first sets.. winning tie breaks and then loosening and cruising on the second sets.

            IW and Miami 2011 I think both were wonderful levels of tennis and in both I remember Rafa winning the first sets and Novak coming off a I think 40+ unbeaten streak.It wasnt a bad loss at all in my opinion but affected Rafa more than it should have.. and the patterns started emerging and went south for Rafa since then when it comes to Novak..

            I have always disagreed with people saying Rafa is a claycourter, days when ah he wont win the AO, certainly not the USO and then he has this incredible record in hardcourts nothing short of being on par with a Fed or even Novak. A 2-1 record in the US open as of now is enough evidence of the same.

            Its all about margins.. I track Nadals stats much like you I think and looking at when it started from 2011. I cant help thinking the mental edge wasnt the biggest cause of the whole change in pattern. Yes your results have to match to help you get the mental lead and Rafa had come up with solutions again and again but not enough to hold back the overall match up. I look at a 15-10 finals record between Novak and Rafa while I remember Fed saying “Look at Rafas record in his finals” until then.

            To your point, Rafa has nervous starts against all players but his pattern of choosing to receive was always to pounce early to get a break. I wouldnt necessary define him as slow off the block. With Novak he just falls back soon enough, sometimes fairly but more recently because of his own undoing more than anything else.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.




Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes