Djokovic Over Nadal at Roger's Cup

Posted by T. A. Niles Aug 11, 2007

Tennis is an entirely different game from the game that was played when I was a teenager learning the game, and from the one I played in the NCAA tournament in 1985. Then again, that was over two decades ago, and all of sport is different. If you saw the Djokovic-Nadal match today, then you know precisely what I mean.

The phenomenal display of incredible shot making, the unbelievable court coverage, and the unwavering wills of both players drew exclamations from my couch and chased chills up my spine. What a treat for a fan of the game!

Not very long ago I suggested that Novak Djokovic was more of a threat to unseat Roger Federer as the number one player in the world than Rafael Nadal, although Nadal, at No.2 for the past two years was ranked several spots above Djokovic at the time. Nadal’s game has improved since then and he is no longer quite the one-dimensional player that he was when I wrote that.

Djokovic will emerge from play at Roger’s Cup ranked No.3 in the world, and will have beaten Andy Roddick (currently ranked No.3), No.2 Nadal, and unless he’s weary, will give No.1 Roger Federer all he can handle. In fact, it would not surprise me if Djokovic gets his first win against Federer tomorrow in his fifth attempt.

If Djokovic continues to serve as well as he did against Nadal, particularly in the first set, and hits the ball as cleanly as he did, he may have a chance. Federer’s draw was as sweet as your favorite dessert, and if comes down to a tough three-setter, that could make the difference. Federer’s serve will make it difficult for Djokovic, but look for another amazing display of tennis tomorrow when Federer meets his heir in Montreal.