A semifinal showdown between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal was not entirely unexpected when the World Tour Finals draw was revealed. But the script took a twist in making the matchup come to fruition, as Nadal won his group while Djokovic finished second in the other foursome.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be squaring off for the 46th time in their careers when they collide in the World Tour Finals semis on Saturday afternoon.
Interestingly, Djokovic has a chance to level his head-to-head series against both Nadal and Federer this weekend–the latter in a potential title match. The world No. 1 is 22-23 lifetime in his rivalry with Nadal, but the margin has become increasingly closer on a consistent basis. Djokovic has won all three of their meetings in 2015 and seven of their last eight overall. He is 15-6 at Nadal’s expense on hard courts, including 3-2 indoors and 2-1 at the O2 Arena.
“We (have) played so many times,” Djokovic assured. “I’m going to get ready for that one and hopefully I’ll be able to play at my best.”
Djokovic’s best has been on display almost entirely throughout what will go down as a dominant and historic 2015 campaign, which features three Grand Slam titles. During round-robin action this week, however, the top seed did not showcase the same level. After crushing Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-1, Djokovic lost to Roger Federer 7-5, 6-2 and underwhelmed in a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych on Thursday night.
Aside from his two most recent matches, however, there is little to dislike regarding Djokovic’s chances heading into championship weekend. He is 80-6 for the season and is the three-time defending champion of this event.
Nadal has never won the year-end championship, but he has already done something this week that he had only accomplished once previously in his career. For the first time since 2010, the fifth-ranked Spaniard compiled a perfect 3-0 record in group competition. He drubbed Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 6-2, rolled over Andy Murray 6-4, 6-1, and outlasted David Ferrer 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4 on Friday afternoon.
As well has Nadal has played, the relatively suddenly improvement in form is more likely to pay eventual dividends in 2016 than on Saturday against the toughest of opponents. Facing Djokovic on an indoor hard court–even a slow one–is simply not a good matchup for the 14-time major champion. Having spent two hours and 37 minutes on the court with Ferrer, while Djokovic had the day off, also will not help.
As Nadal said of his opponent, “All the positive things are for him.”
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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That last point really sums it all up. He just kept hitting to both corners and then finally Rafa blinked. So now Novak has the break in the second set.
Gosh!! That was insane. Novak, how does one beat you
Federer will show you how again tomorrow.
Seriously what happens to Rafa’s serve? Why is he serving so badly the whole tournament? Without the serve, how is Rafa going to compete with Novak the best returner of serves??
Rafa also hasnt a clue on how to return Novak’s serves.
The sreve is just a symptom not the problem.
Rafa just doesn’t seem to able to hang with Novak. That last point really showed that.
You don’t think Rafa can hang with Stan either.
Listen up people, do you hear there?
Rafans focus on Rafa and pretenders focus on Rafans.
And it makes me wonder.
Its so strange, almost gratifying to see all the Rafa fans so bewildered. Almost resigned to the sealed fate of their champion. It’s just a full circle life has brought you all to be a part of a period when Nadal is no longer a contender at tennis biggest events. This happening rather quickly too. He surely is no more a contender for the GOAT title either. All this why, only because as I can see from all the Rafans comments above, due to his perceived inability of being able to beat Djokovic. Isn’t it ironical and poetically justified that the legend, Nadal nearly destroyed and took almost all the glories away from is the only man who stood and is still standing in the path of Nadal’s tormentor( Djokovic). So now you would probably understand that just a bad matchup does not necessarily take away or should I say be allowed to take away the achievements and greatness of the man, in that situation. I suppose by now we all know I am talking about the genius, that is Roger Federer. The man who has single handedly upset Djokovic’s dream of having one of if not the greatest seasons of all time. Let’s hope you can lay to rest all your anger and anguish and disillusionment aside and learn to live with the realities of your Champions limitations.
Listen up people, do you hear there?
Rafans focus on Rafa and pretenders focus on Rafans.
And it makes me wonder.
Also please be more concise and learn about paragraphs.
I didn’t get past the third sentence.
Huh? Isnt Stan the man who singlehandedly upset Djoko’s dream of one of if not the greatest season of all time, ie 2015? What has that got to do with Fed?
Also, wasnt Rafa the man who single handedly upset Fed’s dream of one of if not the greatest season of all time, ie 2006?
Rafa needs to know this he needs a new coach ASAP THIS IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE
What a pathetic dispay from here I cant see Rafa ever winning a GS bcos his game is not up to par, I never dreamed I would ever see Rafa so lost on a tennis court
have been saying this all year mona….ie about the new coach…
All I wanted was for Rafa to at least make this match competitive. Seeing Novak doing it so easily one more time is hard to watch.
Wont be surprised if Rafa breaks his first racquet when he plays against Djoko. If not today, some time in the future
he will never do that…not with Novak or anyone else…it is the way Rafa is brought up…high respect for Rafa!
Yup đ
this is pretty embarrassing tbh…
i’ve said over and over that his serve doesn’t cut it…
his forehand has been very poor today as well…
not constructing the points well..
nole has been good but he hasn’t been challenged at all…
amy,
Yes, this is what is so frustrating. Rafa didn’t push Novak. He made it too easy for him.
nny, yes. nole was in a completely different league today. am inclined to agree with mona that rafa should bring in new people…have been saying that all year and i don’t think toni is the answer..certainly not to rafa’s problems with serve…vr has said that and i agree
Why cant Rafa always serves like in this game? Why must he wait till hes down and almost out then he starts serving well to hold serve? Why dont serve well all the time?
Rafa is not used to play inside the court and has problem timing his FH. He seems losing some power on his FH.
Because the serve is just a symptom.
I want this to be over quickly. I can’t stand listening to Koenig drooling over Djokovic any longer.
the forehand is the barometer of his game: when it goes off as it has done today everything implodes…
so much pat-a-cake tennis from him today
& the forehand going off is a sure sign this year that he is nervous…not handling his emotions on court..
Rafa wasn’t able to hit his DTL forehand in this match. He also was defending on almost every point. Novak got the good court positioning and controlled the points.
was worse than that nny, he was hitting routine forehands into the net and shanking wildly
And he is not trying anything new move to the f*&%ing net cease camping on the baseline I mean my god even berdych did a better job than Rafa
^This is true. Rafa wasn’t able to make adjustments and change his tactics. Novak was able to hit to both corners, running Rafa back and forth.
Oh man. I think its going to be a break here to win the match
Has anyone noticed that he is not going for the towels after the points ?
since when did nole learn to lob??
Come one Djoko. THis is not done. Please do not embarass our Rafa đ
I record all Rafa’s matches on DVD and only keep the ones that he wins. This one is going straight into the bin.
Vamos Rafa!
Rafa seemed helpless to do anything, while Novak had all the answers. This was not pleasant to watch.
You don’t think it’s because Rafa was not interested in the match?
no break points for rafa and nole had a couple of dodgy service games….unable to make anything happen
Masterclass from Djoko. Rooting for him to win the trophy. Rafa it has not been your day or year. Next year if Djoko is taken out by someone, Rafa has a chance