Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have solid the best rivalry within the Open period, assembly 59 occasions between 2006 and 2022. Two unimaginable gamers are simply two wins away from embracing their sixtieth duel on the Olympic Video games in Paris!
Novak drew Matthew Ebden within the first spherical, which must be a relaxed day on the workplace for the 24-time Main champion. However, Rafa meets Marton Fucsovics within the first spherical and must play nicely to move the primary impediment and set the conflict towards his best rival.
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Nadal and Djokovic met within the semi-final on the Beijing Olympics 16 years in the past, with the Spaniard prevailing and remaining on the title course. Apparently, their first assembly got here at Roland Garros 18 years in the past, and the milestone sixtieth may occur on Court docket Philippe-Chatrier once more.
Djokovic leads their H2H 30-29, though Nadal scored a win in 4 of their earlier duels, staying near his nice opponent.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are potential rivals on the Olympic Video games in Paris.
Their most up-to-date encounter got here at Roland Garros two years in the past, with Nadal prevailing 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 within the quarter-final.
Two tennis titans battled for 4 hours and 12 minutes on Court docket Philippe-Chatrier regardless of two one-sided units, as Novak pushed Rafa to the boundaries, trying good to drive a decider earlier than the Spaniard took cost and sealed the deal in 4 units.
Nadal made a dependable begin and saved the strain on the opposite aspect, notching his eighth win over Djokovic from their ten Roland Garros duels. The situations on Court docket Philippe-Chatrier have been chilly and sluggish, and two rivals gave their finest to supply high quality tennis in one other traditional.
Rafa performed higher behind the second serve and overpowered Novak within the pivotal moments, desirous to avenge final 12 months’s defeat. The Spaniard dropped serve 4 occasions and grabbed 43% of the return factors, turning them into seven breaks from 17 probabilities.
Nadal attacked and landed 57 winners and 43 unforced errors. He constructed a large benefit within the shortest exchanges, taking part in decided tennis and shifting excessive.
Rafa made a terrific begin, breaking Novak in video games one and 5 of the opening set and shutting it 6-2 after difficult 50 minutes. They battled for nearly an hour and a half within the second set, embracing some of the prolonged units of their unimaginable rivalry.
Nadal led 3-0 with a double break earlier than Djokovic stepped in and took cost, dictating the tempo together with his forehand and forging a comeback. The Serb erased the deficit and closed the set with a break in recreation ten to stage the general rating.
Rafa made a contemporary begin within the third set, delivering a double break and taking it 6-2 for a lift of confidence. Djokovic supplied 4 snug holds and solid a 5-2 benefit, trying good to drive a decider and prolong the marathon.
Nonetheless, he wasted two set factors at 5-3 and misplaced serve after Nadal’s forehand crosscourt winner. They served nicely within the subsequent three video games and launched a tie break. Rafa moved 6-1 in entrance and wasted three match factors. He transformed the fourth at 6-4 with a backhand down the road winner, scoring his twenty ninth victory over Novak and shifting into the semi-final.
