Resumption of the Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal rivalry will get an earliest possible start in 2016, as they are set to square off at their first tournament of the year. The Doha title will be at stake when Djokovic and Nadal meet again on Saturday.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be squaring off for the 47th time in their careers when they clash in the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Saturday.
The head-to-head series is all tied at 23-23 following Djokovic’s 6-3, 6-3 victory in the semis of the World Tour Finals. Nadal was once borderline dominant in this rivalry, but Djokovic has turned the tide in a major way to draw level. The Serb has won four in a row and eight of their last nine encounters. Nadal has not defeated the world No. 1 on a hard court since the 2013 U.S. Open title match, a span of five such matches.
While both players were considerable favorites to reach this final when the draw was revealed, neither did so with complete ease. Djokovic delivered consecutive 6-2, 6-2 destructions of Dustin Brown and Fernando Verdasco before things got trickier. The top seed recovered from a break down in three straight sets, beating Leonardo Mayer 6-3, 7-5 and staging a first-set comeback against Tomas Berdych to prevail 6-3, 7-6(3).
Nadal survived a pair of three-setters, outlasting fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1 and Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. The fifth-ranked Spaniard also scored wins at the expense of Robin Haase (6-3, 6-2) and Illya Marchenko (6-3, 6-4).
“To be back in a final is always a great feeling, especially the first week of the season,” Nadal assured. “For sure (it) is important for me for my confidence, (to) confirm that the end of 2015 season had been something realistic and this beginning of 2016 I am still playing well, so [I’ve] already won four matches here and [am] in the final.”
“I guess it’s a pretty important match tomorrow; let’s see what happens,” Djokovic said following his semifinal victory over Berdych. “It’s been a long rivalry. It’s an exciting challenge for both of us.”
Although Nadal has not been a challenge for Djokovic of late, the 14-time major champion was a shadow of his real self throughout 2015. This one should be far more competitive than their four most recent showdowns, but Nadal is not quite ready to turn the rivalry back in his favor–at least not on this surface.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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I just checked my cable and I have Bein sports but they are showing soccer. They said to go to Bein sports connect. I don’t know what that is, maybe an online channel. I can’t find the match on my cable.
Did you check to see if you have Bein sport channel? They you can see it for free.
Yeah bein sports is showing soccer at my end too
Yep. Terrible.
Novak just pulled the trigger and blasted a cc backhand for a winner. He seems to know exactly where to hit and when against Rafa.
Rafa hits an ace to make it 40-30. Rafa needs to get on the board here.
Thats because Rafa is too predictable. Notice that once Novak hits the ball, he immediately races to the other corner of the court expecting Rafa’s CC shot. Rafa cant beat him playing like that.
Rafa holds for 3-1.
Finally Rafa wins a game! No bagel please Rafa!
You know things are tough when we are asking Rafa not to get bageled.
I am not going to use one of those livestreams that always mess up. I have gotten viruses too many times. Better safe than sorry.
I just wish that Rafa was doing better. It’s hard to see him in the same position with Novak. He’s made it way too easy for Novak in this match.
Rafa started off his service game by missing an I/O forehand. 0-15. Then an ace fore 15-15.
Rafa hitting waaaay too short on average which is why Nole’s hitting 8 kph faster than he has in Doha up to the final.
Poor serving pct and costly errors.
Yes he’s hit some great shots but too inconsistent.
It’s the consistency that he has lost which is what separates slam winners from the rest.
Rafa has lost his confidence and his consistency along with it.
Commies just don’t get it or choose not to.
It’s also an issue of Novak knowing exactly what to do against Rafa and being able to execute it to perfection. He’s got incredible confidence right now. We keep hearing how Novak doesn’t look that good in the earlier rounds, but when it comes to the final and it’s Rafa, he raises his level and gets it done.
6-1. Breadstick. đ
Rafa went for Novak’s forehand but didn’t have enough on it. BP.
Novak get the break and then clenches his fist to rub it in a little.
5-1
He just knows exactly what to do and is supremely confident against Rafa. Not fun to watch at all.
nothing to see here
Just look at the difference in ROS on second serve between the two players.
Lot’s of depth and pace from Nole but Rafa returning just past the service line at best.
Have to do more on 2nd serve ROS.
Breadstick coming.
It seems that Rafa still hasnt come to terms with the fact that he cant beat Novak in a rally. His FH cant match Novak’s BH, its a fact.
lucky,
What tactics should Rafa be using.
I switched to Coric Bedene
Rafa, please win one game in set 2 and I will be happy… đ
Rafa’s beating himself. No agression.
Decent 1st serve pct but winning just 50% of those points means there is not much on his first serve.
He’s making Nole look this good.
Commies betray their bias saying that set was privilege to watch.
6-1. Really?
Would never be said if Fed was given a breadstick. Can’t remember when that last happened though.
Rafa cannot read Novak’s game at all, being outhit and outplayed like never before…Rafa loses rallies and Novak is doing what he wants, without even working hard..,
Wake up, Rafa! You are far better than this!
Well, I can only say that I am glad I did not spend $10. It’s painful to see an old warrior like Rafa lose like this
it’s rough, Yep
Hopefully Rafa can win more than 2 games.
I really do not enjoy seeing Rafa get his clock cleaned by Novak. No way!