Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal
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Affectionately referred to as Djokodal by fans, former World No. 1s Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic share one of the most evenly contested rivalries in the history of tennis, one that is slanted ever so slightly in favour of Djokovic at 26-23.
Djokovic and Nadal could play each other in the quarter-finals.
Given the years of unstoppable form the Serb enjoyed, he has won the pair’s last seven matches against each other, most recently at the Rome Masters of 2016. Rafael Nadal went down in straight sets at that match, one played on his pet surface – clay.
Perhaps unfortunately for tennis watchers and fans, this match will happen only if Roger Federer loses to Rafael Nadal – the pair are slated for a third-round match-up at Indian Wells, the winner of whom could face Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
But Djokovic’s road to the quarters is not an easy one by any means – he will face Juan Martin del Potro in Round 3, following which he will have to stave off an attack from one of two top Next Gen players, 19-year-old Alexander Zverev – the youngest player in the ATP Top 20, or Nick Kyrgios, who defeated the Serb in Acapulco last week.
It is an uphill path for both players and one that will require relentless attacks from each player at their respective positions in the draw, but both players have dominated the sport in their own time, so this sets up not only another big contest – but yet another occasion for each player to prove themselves in a tight rivalry.
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