Djoko has momentum for 4-peat
MELBOURNE – It’s tennis’s most intense rivalry but recent momentum and a lop-sided draw have given Novak Djokovic the edge over Rafael Nadal as he seeks a record fourth straight Australian Open title.
While Serena Williams is the unbackable favorite for the women’s trophy, Djokovic and Nadal, the world number one, are nearly inseparable at the top of the men’s game.
When they last met in Melbourne in 2012, it took five hours and 53 minutes, the longest ever Grand Slam final, before Djokovic finally prevailed in five exhausting sets.
Nadal missed last year’s Australian Open with injury but on his return, he denied Djokovic in the French Open semis and US Open final before supplanting him at the top of the rankings.
However, Djokovic beat Nadal convincingly in two deciders in the latter part of last season, including at the year-ending World Tour Finals, to seize back the psychological advantage.
“It is difficult to see Rafa losing to anyone other than Novak and possibly Andy Murray,” Jim Courier told Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper.
“Novak Djokovic suffered some tough losses to Rafa last year but was able to beat the Spaniard twice in the fall so momentum in their rivalry is now on his side.”
Djokovic has repeatedly shown his liking for the season’s opening Grand Slam after winning his first major title in Melbourne in 2008 and reclaiming it in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The Serb, the only man to win three straight Australian Open championships since Roy Emerson claimed five in a row in the preprofessional era, also has the easier draw, with Stanislas Wawrinka and David Ferrer shaping as possible opponents.
Meanwhile, Nadal stands to meet Grand Slam champions in the form of Juan Martin del Potro and either Andy Murray or Roger Federer ahead of a potential final rematch with Djokovic.