The match that die-hard tennis fans and casual spectators were waiting for has finally arrived. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic in the US Open final. The longest rivalry in sport was to write another chapter in the history books. With everything at stake, this was expected to be a classic. Wow, we were invited to another memorable finale …
1st set
Djokovic served first and it was clear from the start that he was looking to be aggressive. There were some early exchanges that indicated just how physical this match would be. Djokovic was dictating and his aggression penetrated the defense of Nadal who was already Rock Solid in the first game. An ace closed the game for a 1 love lead.
Nadal’s service game was equally tested and again Djokovic was being quite forceful, this time on the comeback. He was able to redirect serves well, even hitting a returned winner to force a deuce game. But Nadal did enough to withstand a mistake from the Serb.
Djokovic was severely tested in his next service game when Nadal began to be a bit more proactive. The forehand down the line was the first sign of Nadal’s confidence, producing a winner early in the game and then he defended well with his backhand by being patient for a forehand, which he could use to open the point using The angles. An inside-out right hand ensured that Rafa took a 2-1 lead in the first break of the match. Nadal consolidated the break 3-1 but not without some resistance, including a 27-shot rally that the Mallorcan endured.
2 easy grabs followed and then Nadal took his game to another level. It seemed like everything was going in his favor making incredible shots on defense, including two backhand shots from Novak that completely paralyzed the Serb. To be fair, Djokovic wasn’t playing at his best, but he made too many mistakes, but Nadal wouldn’t let him. Mentally Djokovic already seemed defeated. Nadal followed an 8-point streak to lead 5-2 and served the set with alarming ease. 6-2 to the soon to be world # 1.
2nd set
The first set is crucial in this particular match with the winner of the first set winning the match 31 times out of 36 encounters. We said that the start would be key (especially for Djokovic), but with the speed with which the set went by maybe it would be easier for the Serb to put disappointment aside. I needed to make something happen fast in this second set because going back 2 sets to love Rafa is almost impossible.
Djokovic looked much more intense to start the second set holding his best point of the match by being patient and then throwing a backhand down the line. The momentum carried over to his comeback game building a 15-40 lead. But sloppy and neglected stitches thereafter allowed Rafa to return. Djokovic tried to reach the net but it was not timely and paid the price with an easy backhand pass from Nadal. 1 all.
Although he lost that match, the good news for Djokovic was that he was matching Nadal in terms of intensity. It seemed like he was finally ready for battle. His 2-1 control underscored that fact when he played another great rally moving Nadal and finally finishing with an incredible volley.
At 3-2, both players were playing well simultaneously, Djokovic played almost the most epic point you’ll see beating Rafa in a massive 54-shot rally to finally break serve. It looked like Djokovic won that battle but lost the war as he looked tired in his next service game offering easy errors, allowing Nadal to come back in set 4-3. Deflate for Serbs to say the least after working so hard.
The quality was definitely peaking. Another back and forth game took place with Novak in full attack mode and Nadal taking everything back. The forehand was definitely heating up for the Serb and his relentless aggression paid off again as Nadal took advantage of another long play to attempt a shot that Novak easily hit and hit another backhand for a winner, 5-3. This time Djokovic kept up the intensity and achieved a 6-3 finish … The backhand on the line is the winning shot.
3rd set
Djokovic was a man on a mission to start the third set playing the best he could to break Nadal in love. The return was fiery, especially on the forehand, and Rafa seemed unable to get out of defensive mode. Another great game saw Djokovic hold on 2-0.
Nadal had another very tough service game with Djokovic’s offense provoking attacks from Nadal. The forehand did more damage and the Spaniard seemed to be in serious trouble. But in his usual never-say-die attitude, Rafa managed to find some creative tennis, including a drop shot, which caught Novak totally off guard. He got on the board keeping that pressure on the scoreboard at 2-1.
Both players found easier grips later, but then, at 3-2, Djokovic’s level dropped enough for Nadal to make his move. Nadal began to make the mistakes he expected and the Spaniard got back into the game with 3 in total. Nadal consolidated comfortably with a slight advantage in terms of momentum. Although Nadal returned, it was mainly due to mistakes by Djokovic. If the Serbs managed to control it, then it will feel like another change was coming.
The ninth game saw the tension rise as much as before. Djokovic was looking to take full control with shots that had Rafa weak in the knees … literally, as he completely lost his balance and fell after a flurry of shots that had him on defense. Somehow Nadal won the game with sheer will and determination from 0-40 down. Djokovic was making those mistakes, but the rallies were incredibly physical. The New York crowd was being treated with an absolute classic. However, you knew it was going to be a turning point, and it certainly was. Nadal would break again 5-4 to close the set and take a 2-set lead to 1. 6-4.
4th set
From here on it was always going to be very difficult for Djokovic, having wasted so many opportunities. He had even more chances in the first game and couldn’t convert. Djokovic mentally looked out of him at the time throwing more errors and Nadal made the most of it feeling the mental fragility. Nadal broke serve with a big forehand above the line and then consolidated with a more positive game and looked very confident. The trophy was definitely in sight.
Djokovic got on the board … barely. It seems like he regrouped just in time to stay at contact distance. However, Nadal was on a roll and kept building up quality and suppressing a mini challenge from Novak winning another brutal 25-shot rally with a backhand pass. He advanced 4-1. Two games of sweet victory.
The only chance that Djokovic had was for Rafa to get nervous in what is surely the final stage of the match. One thing was for sure that there was no more leeway for Djokovic.
The Serb’s chances really were sidetracked when he broke down a second time with a more sloppy game. Rafa would serve for his 13th Grand Slam title with 5-1.
Rafa was not wrong. Djokovic scored a forehand and Nadal crashed to the ground with joy. Nadal defeats Djokovic 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1. Another great match in the longest rivalry in the game.
The bottom line
Intense doesn’t even begin to sum up this match. An epic battle of wills, a test of mental strength and physical prowess where Nadal prevailed … Again. Nadal dominated the start … Djokovic took over in the middle and sheer will and determination (yes, it bears repeating) saw Nadal finish on top. The main turning point was the 0-40 lead that Djokovic let slip … His challenge essentially ended after losing that game, and by extension, the set.
Djokovic, the soon to be former number one, definitely had his chances. If he had broken 4-3 in the third, it could have been a complete setback. But it was going to be Rafa’s day and it’s his year. Without a doubt, he is the best player in the world right now.
We give the final of the 2013 US Open a solid 4 out of 5 rackets.