Match report

Novak Djokovic © Tennistalk.com
Olympic Games
Semi final
8/15/08 1 2 3 Tot
rs  Novak Djokovic 4 6 4 1
es  Rafael Nadal 6 1 6 2
Rafael Nadal © Tennistalk.com

  • Nadal will go for gold with thrilling win over Djokovic

    8/15/08 10:45 PM | Cheryl Murray
    Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic met for the sixth time this year in the semifinals of the Beijing Olympics, both men desperate for the opportunity to win gold for his country.

    Novak Djokovic, one of Serbia’s star athletes and the number three tennis player in the world, came out of the blocks on Friday quite flat. Soon to be world number one, Rafael Nadal got three break point chances in Djokovic’s first service game. A missed volley and some good serving from Djokovic denied Nadal; the Spaniard simply came back in Djokovic’s next service game for the break.

    Djokovic’s game was full of errors in the first set. He was broken again for Nadal to go up 5-2. The likelihood of losing the set appeared to wake the Serb from slumber. He broke Nadal’s serve when the Spaniard was serving for the set at 5-2. Nadal did not miss a second opportunity. He served the set out at 6-4.

    If the first set was all Nadal, the second was the complete reverse. Djokovic punished Nadal with blistering ground strokes, repeatedly sent him scrambling behind the baseline. The biggest difference for Djokovic in the second set was that he eliminated the unforced errors that plagued him in the first set. He broke Nadal immediately to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Nadal held only once in the set. Djokovic broke him again at 4-1 and served it out for a middle set 6-1 drubbing.

    Nadal seemed resolved not to let the third set get away from him. The best tennis of the Olympics so far was most likely played in that third set. Djokovic and Nadal went toe-to-toe with each other. Nadal found his range off both wings and cleaned up the unforced errors. Until 5-4, the set was a glorious display from the best two tennis players in the world. Then on Djokovic’s last serve, Nadal applied the kind of pressure that only the world’s best defender can. Namely, he literally chased down every ball Djokovic hit at him. On Nadal’s second match point, he chased down two over head smashes and lobbed them back. Djokovic shockingly hit the second returned ball wide and Nadal won the match.

    The loss was difficult for Djokovic, who left the court in tears. Nadal will now have the opportunity to compete for the gold medal against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.

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Comments

Luck favors the brave! Nadal's determination and nerves of steel gave him the win. Both of them deserve to be in the final because they both gave their A-game on center court.

agf25agf , 8/16/08 1:16 AM


woohoo vamos rafa! :-)

RafaNadalGirl20 , 8/16/08 1:59 AM


I really enjoyed that match, though I'm still shocked at that overhead that Nole missed. They should show video of that to young tennis players who want to know why you should make your opponent hit one more shot.

cherylmurray , 8/16/08 2:24 AM


Talk about the luck of the draw. As Cheryl said, it was the match of the Games. What a pity their confrontation came in the semi and not the final then at least one of them would have had the consolation of the silver. Nadal's joy and Djokovic's distress showed just how much the chance of going for the gold meant to them both. I am a diehard Rafa fan but am full of admiration for Novak as a player. The future battle between these two promises some sumptuous tennis.

ed251137 , 8/16/08 8:11 AM


it was a real shame that these two had to play in the semis,both of them could get a medal at least. that was the first time i saw djokovic crying and i felt for him. i hope he could get a bronze at least.

sisterofnight12 , 8/16/08 9:53 AM


Thanks, all of you shows respect for Nole's game, I really appreciate your real judgment and sympathy, you can not imagine, all of us in Serbia were crying altogether with Nole, me personally, felt like lost, in big depression, in disbelief it's possible, in spite of fact, I do like Nadal as a player, he's got lucky yesterday, but all the planet should know, Novak is biggest threat to Nadal, anyway, right now, our national icon got bronze medal, first for Serbia after long time, God blessed him...

gordana , 8/16/08 2:47 PM


gordona: Take heart - I am sure Novak will have his chance again in London. After all Gonzales came quite close to adding the Gold to his Bronze singles.
LTenstar and Sstay!
Wish I could feel the same sense of patriotism all the Serbians have for their national hero. Somehow Popeye doesn't hack it for me.

ed251137 , 8/18/08 1:03 AM


Sorry for the repeat posts. Had trouble sending so hit the key too many times.

ed251137 , 8/18/08 1:14 AM


ed251137: Thank you very much indeed, I do have a hope, Nole will present him best he could do at the US open, he gave an interview for the national TV, saying he's got power and motivation after the bronze medal. Nevertheless, I'll be in Egypt during the US open, I'll watch all the matches there, regards from Serbia

gordana , 8/18/08 9:31 AM



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