Djokovic has hunted Nadal in 6 finals over 2011. There was a good chance that they will meet in Davis Cup championship meet also. With the Serbian doubles pair showing resurgence on Saturday, it was left to Novak Djokovic to level the score. However, Novak made the elementary mistake of taking the field without getting fully fit. He couldn’t play the initial rubber and in a game of passion and countless runs and volleys, fitness counts a lot.
On expected lines, Juan Del Potro found a tamer Djokovic at the other end, and though the first set went to tie-breaker, he was leading 3-0 in the second when Djokovic snapped off and retired hurt. Argentina thus sealed a place in the finals to the dismay of last year’s winner Serbia.
Spain meanwhile needed Rafael Nadal to be at his best on Sunday and Rafa obliged in fine fashion on his favorite surface: Clay. He lost only 6 games in his clinical destruction of Jo-Wilfred Tsonga 6-0, 6-2, 6-4. Tsonga is definitely a better player than that but one can only gush at how Nadal transforms into a tiger on clay. He did just that in spite of ailments and cramps, bothering him since US Open. Tsonga was expected to give some fight to the World No. 2, as he has a remarkable record against the Spaniard.
Further, Spain has now ensured a favorable position and will play the finals at home. This is double delight for Nadal, who had an asteroid named after him after his breathtaking match against Roger Federer in 2008 Wimbledon Finals.
Top ranked players have been accusing Davis Cup format for some time now. It is a pride to represent one’s country; sometimes they don’t quite do in Grand Slams. Thus, Davis Cup should be fashioned out in a way as to allow enough rest to these players.
