US Open Final: Pakistan tennis circuit pins hope on Nadal

Pakistan Davis Cup coach Khalid Siddiq says, Nadal needs to win the last grand slam of the year for his fans.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s top players will be betting on Rafael Nadal against World number one Novak Djokovic in today’s US Open men’s singles final, predicting that the world number two will contain the Serbian in four sets only.

Pakistan top seed Aqeel Khan said that while Djokovic struggled through his semi-final against Stanislas Wawrinka and has the nerves to win a match in five sets, he will be betting on Nadal for his unbeaten run on hard court this year.

“Everyone I know in the Pakistan tennis circuit is supporting Nadal for this match,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “Even for me I feel that Nadal deserves to win especially for the way he came back after the injury. My prediction will be that this final will not go further than four sets. Nadal is in his best form, he has changed his game this year on hard court. Earlier, he used to play from the baseline, but now he is more aggressive. But I know, apart from the game Nadal has won the Pakistani tennis fans over. People loved to see Nadal and Roger Federer as number players in the world, while Djokovic doesn’t really fit the bill.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan number two Yasir Khan predicted that it will be a marathon match and a possible repeat of the French Open semi-final that took place between Nadal and Djokovic earlier this year.

“The statistics are supporting Nadal, but more than that his personality is another factor. I remember watching the French Open semi-final - me, Aqeel and our brother Jalil Khan - and we couldn’t help but support Nadal towards the end of the match. Its also the matter of career grand slams - Nadal has won more and so if anyone can replace Federer, it should be Nadal,” commented Yasir.

The final today will be the 37th meeting between Nadal and Djokovic in their careers and their fourth in 2013.

On the other hand, Djokovic has won six Grand Slams compared to Nadal’s 12, and both had success on hard courts in their career, however, both have only won the US Open once.

According to the Pakistan Davis Cup coach Khalid Siddiq, Nadal needs to win the last grand slam of the year for his fans.

“The hard courts are fast and that will help Nadal’s game, although Djokovic is mentally tough, but Nadal has grown a lot more over the year.'

Siddiq opined that Nadal's game has matured considerably. But, there is a general consensus, some world number ones win the fans over and some world number ones just don’t understand the fans.

"Djokovic will be the kind of champion that people will love to hate. If this match was between Nadal and Federer the fans would have been divided, it would be 50-50, but now everyone is rooting for Nadal. It’s about the image sometimes. Plus Nadal has the game to back it as well.”

The Indian take

Meanwhile, Chandigarh-based Indian tennis coach Birbal Wadhera said that there is a mixed reaction on the final between Nadal and Djokovic.

"Its 50-50, the support for both, but for me personally, I think Nadal will have a sweep in this final," said Birbal. "Most of the tennis fans here in India are divided. There is no clear favourite."

"Its going to be more about the fitness of the two than the technique, and Nadal is playing, trying to prove himself that he can be better than before. He came back remarkably well after the injury. This match will be more about the agility, quickness and I predict that Nadal will win even if this match goes to five sets. But Djokovic has also been storming into the grand slams, so its just a matter of mental toughness as well."

Wadhera also emphasised that Nadal has a better track record on hard court this season and that the Spanish ace has the capacity to turn a match around.

"I don't know what drives this man, that he finds the drive to win despite the odds especially in the fifth set during the matches, so its going to be a tough one. This match will keep the fans on their seats for hours," concluded Wadhera.