Sunday 15 June 2008

Djokovic shows he is a match for Nadal on grass

Rafa and Novak went toe to toe again yesterday, and the Queen’s final was far more competitive than Nadal’s walk in the park in Paris.

I continue to be impressed with how Rafa’s grass court game has developed. He looks good, real good, and is of course already being talked up as a dead cert to win Wimbledon. (As Gototennis says, show Federer some respect!). But I still feel that on grass Nadal hasn’t quite got the edge over the rest of the tour that he enjoys on clay.

Sure he won yesterday but it was a close run thing. Djokovic had his chances in both sets, with Rafa eventually shading it in a first set tie break, and then breaking back at 4 – 5 down when Djoko was serving for the second set, before going onto wrap up and the set and the match 7-5.

So respect to Rafa, but also to Djoko – this two set final lasted longer and was more of a contest than the 3 set final in Paris. And I think Djokovic will come away thinking that if there is a rematch at SW19 in the final or semi, he will be more than capable of winning it.

UPDATE: Highlights now below, including the amazing diving winner from Rafa.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Steve. I agree with you: He definitely doesn't have the edge like he does on clay, but he's definitely playing waaay better than I ever thought he could. I wouldn't give him to the title at the All-England Club just yet. Federer's gonna have a lot to say about that!

rafa4ever said...

didn't Djoker got beaten by Nadal 3 in a row? C'on, give me a break. Djoker is making himself more embrassing each day. Until you show us a better report card, please shut up!