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US OPEN FINAL
Aurthur Ashe Stadium:
Djokovic (1) vs Nadal (2)
Time- 21:00 BST
Stats:
Head to Head: Nadal 16-12 Djokovic
Last meeting: Djokovic 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 (Wimbledon)
Titles this year: Djokovic 9-3 Nadal
Path to the final:
Djokovic-
R1- Niland 6-0 5-1 (R)
R2- Berlocq 6-0 6-0 6-2
R3- Davydenko 6-3 6-4 6-2
R4- Dolgopolov 7-6 6-4 6-2
QF- Tipsarevic 7-6 6-7 6-0 3-0 (R)
SF- Federer 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5
Nadal-
R1- Golubev 6-3 7-6 7-5
R2- Mahut 6-2 6-2 (R)
R3- Nalbandian 7-6 6-1 7-5
R4- Muller 7-6 6-1 6-2
QF- Roddick 6-2 6-1 6-3
SF- Murray 6-4 6-2 3-6 6-2
TOM's analysis:
Rafael Nadal’s performance was a long way off his best coming into the US Open. After his confidence destroying loss in the Wimbledon final, he lost to Croatia’s Ivan Dodig in R1 of Montreal. Cincinatti wasn’t much better losing to Mardy Fish in the QF. That is why some may be surprised to see Nadal’s name in the final of the US Open again.
Nadal was poor in his opening match, but came through after saving several set points against Golubev. Mahut’s retirement helped him in Round 2, but he did discover his form in Round 3, coming through a tough match against Nalbandian. In Round 4, Nadal went down a break early on to Muller, before rain stopped play but Nadal lost just 6 more games the next day. Roddick was Nadal’s next opponent in the QF. It was Nadal who broke straight away though, and gave a masterclass in passing shots against the big serving American, to set up a semi final against Andy Murray. Murray’s game plan was unclear for the first two sets, before an aggressive Andy turned up for the third set. Nadal gradually picked up his level again, to defeat the error-strewn and angry World No. 4 in four sets. His past two wins could give Rafa the confidence needed to win his second US Open title.
How he can win:
Obviously Nadal will need to serve well, his second serve has been particularly vunerable in his meetings against Djokovic this year. It is also crucial he wins the longer rallies as Djokovic has done a good job of coming through in the longer rallies against Nadal this year. Normally with Nadal, you’d expect the first set to be the deciding factor, but given his losses in Indian Wells and Miami, I would say Nadal needs the first two sets to win. Nadal needs to be aggressive as well and take advantage of Djokovic’s inevitable tiredness from his epic against Roger yesterday. If he can do all of these, he will have a chance.
AMRITIA's analysis:
Novak Djokovic looks simply unbeatable this year. In total the matches he has lost equal the number of Grand Slam wins this year-2. He will be very keen on making that three on Monday. After coming to the US with Wimbledon in his bag Djokovic started confidently in Montreal. He was tested by Fish in the final but managed to come through in 3 sets. Next week in Cincinatti it was obvious Novak was fatigued and had a shoulder problem. He scraped past Monfils and Berdych but his level was not high enough to survive against Murray and he had to reitre. When it came to the US Open Novak looked compltely refreshed after a weeks break. He was clinical against Niland and Berlocq and was not troubled by Davydenko. Against Dolgopolov in R4 he struggled for a set (had to come through an epic tiebreak) but came through eventually without dropping a set. In the QF he faced a barrage of attacking tennis against Tipsarevic for the first 2 sets. With the score at a set a piece Tipsarevic broke down with his injury problems and had to reitre in the 4th set after a bagel in the 3rd. His SF final match was against Federer. And it was epic. Djokovic somehow managed to come through after being 2 sets to love down and 2 match points down in the final set. Djokovic danced in delight after the match: he was through to the final.
How he can win:
Nadal has been in Djokovic's pocket all year. He has already beaten him in 5 finals including in the Wimbledon final. If he stickts to the same aggressive tactics and keeps on dominating the baseline rallies he will fancy his chances.
TOM's final verdict:
The start is crucial. Both players are in great form and have a lot at stake. For Nadal the mental demons from his previous five losses must be completely banished. Djokovic is looking to secure his No. 1 spot and come closer to the career grand slam, while Nadal is looking to defend a hard court grand slam title for the first time and win his second grand slam of the year. Djokovic will have a great self-belief, but I believe that a determined Nadal will take confidence from his performance so far and end a five match losing streak against the World No. 1 and come through in four entertaining sets.
Nadal 76 62 46 75
AMRITIA's final verdict:
Djokovic's 5 wins over Nadal this year will give him a lot of confidence and belief. He knows he has the game to beat Nadal on any surface now and will trust himself in the big moments. Meanwhile Nadal has been very poor in the important points against Djokovic this year. He needs to step it up and be more aggressive if wants to have a chance.
Djokovic 6-4 7-5 6-4
Thanks for reading
Courtesy: MyTennisLounge
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