MADRID: Rafael Nadal is one win away from a fifth Madrid Open title after sweeping aside Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, in what was an historic semifinal at the Caja Magica.
The clash was one that will forever be embedded in tennis history. For the first time in the Open Era, two players have faced each other for the 50th time on the tour. Throughout the Djokovic-Nadal rivalry they have clashed in grand slam finals, ATP finals, Davis Cup encounters and even the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Prior to their 50th meeting, Nadal’s recent history against the Serbian has been one of despair. He had lost their seven most recent matches (amounting to 15 consecutive sets). This time round, it was a new story. The focus of the Spaniard was too strong for a patchy Djokovic as he dictated the rallies and read his opponent’s game like a book.
“The circumstances nowadays are completely different compared to those seven matches that occurred before. I think that the last two years perhaps haven’t been my best two years. For Novak, they were.” Said Nadal.
From the onset, there was a sense the match was going to be the Nadal show. In the first game of the match a breathtaking passing shot clinched the break as he roared to a 4-0 lead. It wasn’t until the 22nd minute that Djokovic got himself onto the scoreboard, but his inconsistency was fatal to his chances.
As Nadal served for the set, the first glimmer of frustration from Djokovic appeared. A forehand landing long prompted a loud groan from the world No.2. The movement and speed of the Spaniard were illustrated on set point after a delicate drop shot at the net secured the 6-2 lead.
A slightly more competitive second set followed, but still Djokovic’s inconsistency haunted him. The use of angle shots brought him the break he sought before the notorious Nadal hit back, delighting the packed crowd inside the Caja Magica. An awkward Djokovic backhand sailed out of the court, rewarding the home favorite a set and 3-2 lead. From that point, a Spanish win was inevitable. Even the crown sense it with a Mexican wave erupted around court Manolo Santana.
Storming towards his most comprehensive win over Djokovic since the 2012 Monte Carlo final, nerves started to trouble Nadal. Serving for a place in Sunday’s final, a break point was saved with the use of an audacious winning drop-shot. Two points later, victory was secured after a rally ended with error No.24 from the second seed.
“Rafa was obviously a better player today. He deserved to win. I mean, he was controlling the game from beginning to the end.” Djokovic said after his match.
“I did try my best. It wasn’t a very high quality level of tennis from my side. I made a lot of unforced errors, especially first set.”
“His quality was very high. He managed to do whatever he wanted really, especially in the first set.
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Nadal’s triumph is his 14th consecutive win on the clay this season. Earlier this year he became the first player to win a 50th title on the surface by winning the Monte Carlo Masters. Shortly afterwards he also claimed a tenth crown at the Barcelona Open. During his press conference, Djokovic said Nadal was the favourite to triumph at Roland Garros, but the Spaniard is refusing to get ahead of himself.
“I know that I am playing well. I’m in a good way.” He said. “I started the year really well. I’m in a very important final, important tournament.”That’s the only thing I’m thinking about right now.”
“All the other things, regarding tennis, I don’t really care about.”
Standing in his way of a record fifth title at the Caja Magica will be Dominic Thiem or Pablo Cuevas. Nadal leads both players 3-1 in their head-to-heads, but has also lost to them both last year. Thiem defeated him at the Buenos Aires Open and Cuevas triumphed at the Rio Open.
“It’s going to be a tough match whoever I face tomorrow.” The Spaniard admitted.
“If I will be playing against Thiem. He’s No. 3 in the Race, came from the final in Barcelona. He’s young, has a lot of talent. I think the altitude helps him here.”
“Talking about Pablo, it’s more or less the same. He is doing really well. He played really well in Monte-Carlo, when he beat Wawrinka.”
Thiem and Cuevas will play their semifinal match later on Saturday.
