Djokovic looks to end Nadal’s reign in Paris
Roles reversed as old foes renew rivalry in quarters
PARIS Long on the tennis to-do list of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic: “Must win French Open.”
But that task, on the Serbian’s mind the last four years as he strode onto the grounds of Roland Garros, so far has proved impossible because of Rafael Nadal.
The two modern titans of this sport will meet today on Court Philippe Chatrier for the fourth year in a row, this time as early as they ever have in a pro tournament of any size: in the quarterfinals.
“Beating Rafa over five sets on clay might just be the most difficult thing to do in any sport,” said Darren Cahill, a coach and ESPN commentator. “Novak’s problem has been everyone’s problem in the last 10 years. He’s not alone.”
It’s Nadal who has been alone in his dominance of this event, including his six wins over the Serbian (2006-2008 and 2012-14). Nadal has won nine titles in 10 years, 70 of 71 matches and only twice — in the first round in 2011 (vs. John Isner) and the semifinals in 2013 (vs. Djokovic) — has he been pushed to a fifth set.
This year things are different. Djokovic is the No. 1 player in men’s tennis without a doubt, miles above the rest in a sport played out in centimeters. He had won 26 consecutive matches, four tournaments in a row and entered as the oddsmakers’ favorite for this tournament, marking the first time in a decade Nadal hasn’t held that distinction.
The Spaniard, for his part, has been inconsistent on clay this year, with a 17-5 record entering this French Open. He came in without a title in the major claycourt warm-up events, recording losses to Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka.
“It is probably the toughest quarterfinal in my career here in Roland Garros, without a doubt,” a matter-of-fact Nadal told reporters Monday.
Nadal turns 29 today, an occa- sion that usually calls for a cake arranged by PR staff. This year, however, the Spaniard would prefer sets over slices: three of them to defeat Djokovic.
“I never won against him at Roland Garros, but (on) the other hand I was close a couple of times,” said Djokovic, 28, who had a break lead on Nadal in the fifth set in their 2013 semifinal.
“The fact that I have (had) a great season and I’m feeling good from every aspect of my game allows me to have belief and reason to go on the court and try to win.”
Flailing confidence and fraying nerves this year have hindered Nadal, who was out for several months late last year with a wrist injury and then an appendecto- my. His playing level has been “up and down,” he said, but his camp holds that Roland Garros is where it all comes together.
“I think his level is good enough,” said Toni Nadal, his uncle and coach. “I am happy with his game. In this season, we had many problems with our game. Rafael wanted to play good, but he was a little nervous. ... For me, it’s not a big problem. These are things that always happen to Rafael on the court.”
This is the quarterfinal fans have been anticipating since the draw. The winner meets Andy Murray or David Ferrer.
“In these situations, you want to beat the best,” said Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, a three-time women’s winner here. “When you beat someone you respect so much, it gives you more motivation.”
But that’s the tricky thing for both men: Win this one, and there’s still two more to go.
“Playing him here and playing him in any other tournament in the world is completely different,” Djokovic said. “You have to deal with it and go out on the court and play. We will see.”
Said Nadal: “The winner of that match will not be the Roland Garros champion. (He) will be a semifinalist of Roland Garros. That makes a big difference. Even if it’s a special match, you know, is a quarterfinal match. It will not be a final like other years.”