French Open: Novak Djokovic to face Rafael Nadal in final The top ranking is at stake in the mens game when Rafael Nadal meets Novak Djokovic in Sundays French Open final. But dont let that fool you -- both tennis titans, having held down the No. 1 spot previously, are more concerned about piling up grand slam titles. For current holder Nadal, hes seeking a record-extending ninth success at Roland Garros, an accomplishment that would also see him tie Pete Sampras for second on the mens list with 14 majors. A bad back and Stanislas Wawrinka, likely in that order of significance, stalled Nadal in Januarys Australian Open final. Djokovic, meanwhile, is attempting to become the eighth man to complete a career grand slam and inflict only a second defeat on Nadal at Roland Garros. Their historic 41-match rivalry has seen streaks of the roller-coaster variety, and second-ranked Djokovic is the man in the ascendancy at the moment, capturing four straight tussles including the final of the Rome Masters last month. Djokovic stretched Nadal to five sets last year in the last four, undone by a freak occurrence when he touched the net deep in the fifth. Hes an unbelievable opponent, Nadal told the crowd after his semifinal Friday. Its always a big, big challenge. Its a finale too close to call but based on the semis, Nadal might just have the upper hand. As temperatures soared in Paris to about 30 degrees, helping to banish memories of a cold, rainy first week, Djokovic toiled in the heat -- not something new -- before ousting Roger Federers conqueror Ernests Gulbis 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-3. He subsequently told French television he indeed dipped physically in the third. Nadal then had an easier time against Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, prevailing 6-3 6-2 6-1 in a quick-fire 100 minutes
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 08:42:53 +0000
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