Nadal aims to break Djokovic’s streak
US Open defending champion looks for 11th Grand Slam title today.
NEW YORK:
Rafael Nadal must overturn a five-match losing streak against Novak Djokovic this year if he is to successfully defend his US Open title and clinch an 11th career Grand Slam title.
Nadal confronts the toughest challenge today when he tries to derail the red-hot Serb’s campaign to add a first US Open to the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles he has already captured this year.
It has been a season which has seen Djokovic win 63 of his 65 matches, take Nadal’s world number one spot, collect two of the three majors played so far and secure five of six Masters.
Nadal has suffered most at the hands of Djokovic, losing in the finals of Indian Wells, Miami, Rome, Madrid and Wimbledon. But the Spaniard believes his major battle will be convincing himself he can triumph.
“I’m not very happy about my mental performance against him,” said Nadal, who will be playing in his 14th Grand Slam final. “It happened because for moments I didn’t believe really 100 per cent in victory.
“That’s the problem. Because when that’s happening, you have fewer chances. If you believe, you are running more and putting one more ball inside. So that’s what I’m going to try to change.”
Nadal reached the final with a bruising 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over British fourth-seed Andy Murray while Djokovic made it to his sixth career Grand Slam final, with a 6-7 (7/9), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 win over five-time champion Roger Federer. In a repeat of his semi-final heroics of 2010, the Serb once again saved two match points to beat Federer.
“This is the best year of my career, by far,” said Djokovic. “The confidence level is very high and that helps me get into these big matches and go for the shots.
“But it’s all a process of learning and getting experience.”
Despite his great escape against Federer, the top seed believes there is little he needs to tweak ahead of today’s eagerly-awaited showdown.
“Just try to play my game,” is the Serb’s philosophy. “I know that I have a game that is good enough to win against him. I proved that this year.”
Serena beats Wozniacki
Meanwhile, women’s Caroline Wozniacki admitted she was outdone by Serena Williams as the American stormed past the world number one 6-2, 6-4 to reach the US Open final. “She was just better than me,” said Wozniacki. “It’s kind of like, you’re in the game, and then bam, bam, you’re not in the game anymore.” Meanwhile, Samantha Stosur reached the final, after beating Angelique Kerber 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2011.
Rafael Nadal must overturn a five-match losing streak against Novak Djokovic this year if he is to successfully defend his US Open title and clinch an 11th career Grand Slam title.
Nadal confronts the toughest challenge today when he tries to derail the red-hot Serb’s campaign to add a first US Open to the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles he has already captured this year.
It has been a season which has seen Djokovic win 63 of his 65 matches, take Nadal’s world number one spot, collect two of the three majors played so far and secure five of six Masters.
Nadal has suffered most at the hands of Djokovic, losing in the finals of Indian Wells, Miami, Rome, Madrid and Wimbledon. But the Spaniard believes his major battle will be convincing himself he can triumph.
“I’m not very happy about my mental performance against him,” said Nadal, who will be playing in his 14th Grand Slam final. “It happened because for moments I didn’t believe really 100 per cent in victory.
“That’s the problem. Because when that’s happening, you have fewer chances. If you believe, you are running more and putting one more ball inside. So that’s what I’m going to try to change.”
Nadal reached the final with a bruising 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over British fourth-seed Andy Murray while Djokovic made it to his sixth career Grand Slam final, with a 6-7 (7/9), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 win over five-time champion Roger Federer. In a repeat of his semi-final heroics of 2010, the Serb once again saved two match points to beat Federer.
“This is the best year of my career, by far,” said Djokovic. “The confidence level is very high and that helps me get into these big matches and go for the shots.
“But it’s all a process of learning and getting experience.”
Despite his great escape against Federer, the top seed believes there is little he needs to tweak ahead of today’s eagerly-awaited showdown.
“Just try to play my game,” is the Serb’s philosophy. “I know that I have a game that is good enough to win against him. I proved that this year.”
Serena beats Wozniacki
Meanwhile, women’s Caroline Wozniacki admitted she was outdone by Serena Williams as the American stormed past the world number one 6-2, 6-4 to reach the US Open final. “She was just better than me,” said Wozniacki. “It’s kind of like, you’re in the game, and then bam, bam, you’re not in the game anymore.” Meanwhile, Samantha Stosur reached the final, after beating Angelique Kerber 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2011.