One of the best rivalries in the current era of tennis will add another chapter following a one-year hiatus when Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic meet again in the semifinals of the the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Saturday.
Djokovic is one of just two active players–along with Dustin Brown–who owns a winning record of any kind against Nadal. After once trailing the Spaniard 14-4, the Serb now leads the head-to-head series 26-24 after winning 22 of their last 32 encounters dating back to the summer of 2009. He is also 19-8 dating back to the start of 2011 and had won seven in a row before falling to Nadal 6-2, 6-4 on the red clay of Madrid last spring.
The sudden drought in their rivalry can be easily explained, as Djokovic missed the second half of last season due to various physical problems and has been slow to return in 2018. He showed signs of his former self by winning three matches at the Australian Open, but the see-saw comeback took a turn for the worse with a straight-set loss to Hyeon Chung (Aussie Open fourth round) and much worse setbacks against Taro Daniel (Indian Wells) and Benoit Paire (Miami).
Djokovic’s clay-court swing began with a modest 3-3 record through three tournaments, but it all may be turning around for him just in time for the French Open. The world No. 18 has won four matches at a single event for the first time this year, beating Alexandr Dolgopolov, Nikoloz Basilashvili, Albert Ramos-Vinolas, and Kei Nishikori en route to the semis.
“The quality of tennis was really high,” Djokovic said after overcoming Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. “Kei was playing fantastic, especially in the first set…and it took me little bit of time to adjust to his pace…. I’m really happy that I mentally stayed strong. In the ending of the third set I really fought and showed some resilience. This victory means a lot to me on different levels, mostly mental.”
It will take an incredible physical effort to recover from a two-hour, 20-minute battle and go up against the King of Clay on his favorite surface one day later. Is Nadal beatable on clay? Well, yes; it just happened when Dominic Thiem took him down in the Madrid quarterfinals last week. Fabio Fognini also took a set off the top seed on Friday, but conditions suit Nadal more favorably in Rome than they do in Madrid and he really has not come close to losing this week–not even to Fognini. The 31-year-old preceded his win over the Italian by crushing Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-0 and Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-1.
As if Nadal even needed a wakeup call to prepare himself for a showdown against one his chief rivals, he got it from Fognini. The 16-time Grand Slam champion will undoubtedly be ready. Will Djokovic? Two recent wins over Nishikori are promising for the former world No. 1, but he has not defeated anyone in the top 20 since Eastbourne last summer and it has been exactly one year since his last top-10 victory (over Thiem in the 2017 Rome semis).
Pick: Nadal in 2
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Djokovic has nothing to lose and will relish the underdog tag. Nadal will get the upperhand, eventually, but Djokovic will look like a winner at some stage.
Nadal in 3
Nadal is beatable; his form is not what it was earlier in the clay court season. His serve especially has tailed off. Djokovic has the game in theory to beat him, obviously, but there is no reason to think it will happen until after it does.
Novak’s best chance is probably that Rafa will have too much respect for him based on the past, and won’t be as confident as he should be. I don’t think it will be enough. Nadal in 2.
Nadal in 2
Djokovic in tight 3. Rafa’s form is great. Would pick rafa in b05. In BO3 and in rome, I would give edge to Djokovic.
I want Novak to win but his form is not what it used to be.
He is getting better so we will see.
I think this match will turn around Novak’s season.
Rafa in two.
Djokovic was hitting eagle eye line shots against Nishi. Yes, Djokovic is beatable, but after losing at home in Madrid, I don’t know if I can confidently say Nadal in 2. Maybe I’ll take Djoko to win the 1st set.
Kei feeding Djoko those fast pace balls had played into Djoko’s hands; Djoko loved the pace and rhythm of the rallies and could change directions at will. Kei should vary the pace, or rushed in to take the ball early, doing something different.
I hope Rafa serves well in the first place, and goes into aggression mode from the get go and not goes into hard hitting from the baseline. He’s not the king of clay for nothing, he should know how to solve problems out there,just like how he turned things around against Foggy.
We’re not going to let this pass unnoticed now, are we? Seemed to be a lot of chatter about you know what, when you know who was around.
https://twitter.com/Renestance/status/997571633438216197
That’s the typical anti-Fed, pro-Rafa bias of many on this site. They never complain when scheduling or anything else goes in Nadal’s favour. But where Fed is concerned, roll out the conspiracy theories…
Joe!…Of coz it’s not fair to Novak..but why u targeted Rafans & not organizers in this matter?It’s not as if Rafa ‘influenced’/asked organizers to granted him an early match with Fabio yesterday?Or am i wrong?
Well, Mira, there are quite a few regular posters on this site who regularly complain that Federer is given preferential treatment in a variety of ways. When Nadal is given preferential treatment, none of them ever seems to complain. So it seems like pure fan bias, rather than a concern for fair play.
And Rafa himself said that he was not used to play that early…From that statement,clearly Rafa too not very satisfied…And Fognini too!..
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Rafael_Nadal/55104/fabio-fognini-disagrees-with-facing-rafael-nadal-at-noon/
Rafa in two
2:0 25:26
Rafa for the win. Djoko is slowly getting on track again,but it’s just too soon for him. If he puts a good effort maybe he can challenge Rafa and capture a set or making it competitive,even if it’s a two setter. Plus,he will be physically drained and had less time to recover than Rafa,and that also will play a huge role,the Nadalovic contests are always extremely physical.
Keep your mind focused, remain confident, be strong and show off your fighting spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DdjbeCLW4AImm_T.jpg
Nny!…I don’t know whether u notice about this or not in yesterdays match….But,it’s soooooo adorable!!heh heh….
https://www.givemesport.com/1316225-rafael-nadal-breaks-focus-because-of-brilliant-moment-in-the-crowd?autoplay=off
MA,
I saw it! Loved it! So cute! Rafa did, too! Even babies love Rafa!
Djokovic is improving, but I still think he’s pretty beatable at this point.
Rafa in 2
The match is on Sky #121.
I’m happy Nole made it this far and hope he can play well. Certainly Rafa will win in 2 – just hope it won’t be a blow-out.
Rafa breaks Novak!
Vamos Rafa!
Very important hold for Rafa here.
Still up a break.
History repeating itself with Rafa getting broken serving for the set.