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6/5/08 10:45 PM | Cheryl Murray
Novak Djokovic has run into Rafael Nadal at the French Open for the past two years, and will do so again on Friday. Fans and organizers alike have dreamed about this semi-final battle since the draw was announced two weeks ago. The number two ranking is on the line for the winner.
The anticipation was heightened after their semi-final match in Hamburg several weeks ago. Djokovic played fantastic tennis, where he pushed Nadal to three sets for the first time on the dirt. That is the good news for Djokovic. The bad news is that even though he played probably the best he ever has on clay, it still was not enough to beat Nadal.
Another problem for Djokovic is that the clay in Hamburg does not suit Nadal's game. Conditions are quite heavy and the ball does not kick up there like it does at Monte Carlo or Roland Garros. The French Open is much more conducive to the heavy topspin Nadal puts on the ball. This, of course, makes him all the more difficult to beat in Paris.
Nadal has only lost to Djokovic three times in ten tries and never on clay. This is not to say that Djokovic cannot challenge Nadal on clay - he proved in Hamburg that he can. But the fact of the matter is that Nadal plays better at Roland Garros than he does in Hamburg, and in the end Djokovic might be able to take a set, but it is doubtful that he will succeed in beating Nadal on clay in a best of five encounter. Nadal in four.
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vamos Novak Djokovic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
marijaz , 6/6/08 12:32 PM
lol rafa just gave novak a clay court lesson!!
RafaNadalGirl20 , 6/6/08 5:17 PM
to praise Nadal's game is simply boring... he's in ANOTHER LEVEL... disappointing everyone's expectations. Before the start of his match, complements are pouring for his opponents, that they will give him a run for his money. What happened to ALL of them is a total whitewash! We certainly didn't expect Verdasco, Almagro, and even Djokovic to register scores like what they gave against Rafa on clay. Yet, it's just magic... Rafa is a different player on Paris clay. Maybe, he even surprise himself with those results.
This should be Federer's time to do everything to win, the following years will make it a lot more difficult for him to pass even the quarters!
agf25agf , 6/6/08 11:55 PM
Did you know that... James Blake was named Rookie of the Year for the World Team Tennis season in 2000.
kaitepai, Dec 2, 2008 4:51 AM
tennisfan2, Dec 2, 2008 3:42 AM
tennisgirl, Dec 1, 2008 11:48 PM
lendl, Dec 1, 2008 6:17 PM
jorgeedu72, Dec 1, 2008 3:34 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:33 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:21 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:15 PM
Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal
French Open
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vamos rafa!!!!!
RafaNadalGirl20 , 6/6/08 1:23 AM