This match followed the same patterns of their 2011 clashes, Djokovic shows early superiority, even dominating Rafa in the first set before Rafa digs down and battles his way into the match. Djokovic again took the first set today, quite comfortably.
Then, just like the 2011 matches, Rafa made it a war but once again Djokovic separated himself and prevailed in a close, tight second set.
The turning point in this rivalry was 2011 Miami, when Djokovic won his first long battle with Nadal in a key final, edging Rafa in that third set tiebreak in Key Biscyane. It was so important for Djokovic because it was the first time he was able to physically out-tough and outlast Rafa. And the mental edge between them was changed from that point on.
Djokovic, after a slightly off 2012, has regained the mental edge and is the new king of clay. He will win Roland Garros.
“Massive pyschological blow for Rafa heading into Roland Garros,” said Nick Lester on Tennis Channel.
I agree totally.
Rafa must be feeling just like he did in 2011. He must figure out a way to crush the massive confidence of confidence, or hope Federer can come to his rescue again.
Notes: It is the first Monte Carlo title for Djokovic, and Rafa’s first time runner-up, after winning the title a historic eight times in a row.
(Art work by Andres Bella)
16 comments
<< Henk Abbink Reporting From Courtside At Final In Monte Carlo
Steve · April 21, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Congrats to Djoker. He solidified his status as the #1 player in the world —for now. 🙂
Steve · April 21, 2013 at 1:58 pm
I think Federer can best Djokovic at RG. Just like their last clash.
The triangle is Djoker gets up for playing Nadal. Nadal gets up for playing Fed and Fed gets up for playing Djoker(RG & Wimby)
Spirit · April 21, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Steve, as much as I know, Djokovic won against Federer last year on FO in straight sets.
I don’t think Fed is better than Novak on clay.
Mitch · April 21, 2013 at 5:07 pm
“I think Federer can best Djokovic at RG. Just like their last clash.”
Djokovic won their last clash at the French Open last year pretty convincingly.
Steve · April 21, 2013 at 5:53 pm
True Mitch I got my years confused but Fed did begal him 2012 in Cincy which is quite a drubbing.
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2013 at 7:09 pm
I really think Djokovic got a raw deal at the French two years ago, the crowd was so extreme in its favoritism for Fed that is disconcerted Djok and it uplifted Fed. Djok had his chances in the first set to take it but the crowd yelled during his serve motion and on shots and it really bothered him. Fed stole that first set and it really helped him. Fed really played a fantastic match that day also, served so well. But I think Djokovic was not himself that day, partly due to the crowd support for Fed and being against him. I think Djokovic would have beaten Rafa in the final if he beat Fed in the SF.
Harold · April 21, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Shocked to see Nadal broken at love trying to serve out the 2nd set, then playing a horrible breaker.
I thought Nadal was too stubborn in his patterns, should have gone behind Djoker a couple of times, especially in the 2nd set..But who am I to tell the king of clay how to structure his clay game
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Harold, there is a New king of clay and his name is Djokovic. Nole is clearly Rafa’s worst nightmare on a tennis court. When Djokovic is at his best, Rafa has no answers, you almost get a sense it’s an exercise in futility watching Rafa try to hang in there with Djokovic, almost hopeless like Fed was vs. Rafa on clay. Devastating loss for Rafa today. I don’t know if he can raise his game any higher.
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2013 at 8:30 pm
There were so many moments in the match where Djokovic seemed to just automatically switch to his fifth gear when he needed to. When the most important points came, Djokovic always seemed to win them. He showed clear superiority today, just like he did in 2011.
Steve · April 21, 2013 at 9:08 pm
I’m watching Gasquet vs. Fognini on tape right now. I didn’t watch the final. I’m just not feeling the Djoker/Nadal match-up. I’ll probably watch the highlights though. Woulda been nice to get Tsonga in the final.
Dan Markowitz · April 21, 2013 at 9:09 pm
This is a surprise for me as I felt, as Henk pointed out earlier in the event, that Djoko looked very vulnerable against Monaco and Monaco is Nadal-lite. But of what I saw of the match today, Nadal just gets into a very bad dynamic with Djoko where he’s pushed further back and wider out on his backhand and at least on clay, he can’t drive the ball through the court on that wing.
Djoko just doesn’t let Nadal run around the backhand and dictate with his forehand the way he manhandles most opponents. Djoko looked absolutely ecstatic in victory. He’s going to be tough to beat going forward. Unless the clay is much different at Roland Garros than it is in Monte Carlo, or Djoko gets worked over by someone on the way to the finals (or amazingly doesn’t make the finals), I can’t see Nadal besting Djoko at the French. Federer beating Djoko, at this stage, I’d put it at less than 20 % chance.
Scoop Malinowski · April 21, 2013 at 9:14 pm
It was a great final Steve, incredible tennis. I’ll be posting Henk’s courtside perspective later tonight. He said Rafa tweaked his back in the Dimitrov match.
tootsie · April 23, 2013 at 1:14 am
What a crock. King of Clay? Have you lost your mind? There is only one King of Clay and it sure as heck isn’t the guy who is evading paying taxes in his native Serbia.
Did you completely forget that 2012 happened? And that Rafa beat Novak three times on clay? And that Rafa has been out for eight months and isn’t at the top of his game yet?
Get back to me when Novak gets closer than 3-12 against Rafa on clay. Or wins Monte Carlo eight times in a row. Or even wins Roland Garros once in a row. Rafa has a .928 winning % on clay, Novak has .776. Rafa has 38 clay titles, Novak has 8. Novak will never, ever, ever have the same success on clay as Rafa has had and it’s incredibly insulting to Rafa to say otherwise.
Scoop Malinowski · April 23, 2013 at 7:46 am
Tootie, nobody will ever achieve what Rafa has on clay, you are right, but I think Djokovic is now the better player on the surface. He has regained the form of 2011 when he was dominating Rafa on the dirt. Last year was a slightly off, inconsistent year for Djokovic, also on clay, for certain reasons (grandpa’s passing, pressure of having to repeat 2011 success and that undefeated streak, target on back), but those bumps in the road have been passed and I strongly believe Djokovic is going to rule the sport, on clay too, this year and beyond. We’ll see how it plays out. Rafa has clearly shown he is very very umcomfortable with playing Djokovic on clay. THis may be the one puzzle that Uncle Toni and Rafa cannot figure out.
tootsie · April 23, 2013 at 10:38 am
No bloody way…and I’ll enjoy reminding you of how wrong you are.
Andrew Miller · April 24, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Maybe. I think jury’s still out on Djokovic on clay. We could have a surprise champion at RG.