Nadal to Face Djokovic in Florida
Tennis fans were treated to a treat on Friday when Rafael Nadal played Roger Federer.
They'll be treated to another great match up when Nadal faces Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final of the Sony Ericsson Open from Key Biscayne, Florida.
Nadal, the best player in the world, made quick work of Roger Federer in the semifinals, 6-3, 6-2, while Djokovic, the second-best player in the world, had an easy time against American Mardy Fish, 6-3, 6-1.
So the dream match is set: top-ranked Nadal against Djokovic, the hottest player in tennis.
Nadal continues to be a thorn in Federer's side, with a 15-8 lifetime record against arguably the greatest tennis player of all-time. Nadal had only 10 unforced errors compared to Federer's 31.
Nadal may be the highest ranked player in the world, but he may go into his next match as the underdog. Djokovic is playing perhaps the best tennis of his life, which is saying something.
The Australian Open champion is boasting a perfect 23-0 record in 2011 which is the best start since Ivan Lendl started 25-0 in 1986.
How Nadal will handle a tennis player who has trouble surrendering games, let alone sets, should present quite a challenge for the Spaniard.
Djokovic, however, refuses to accept the fact that he is the favorite.
I obviously wouldn't feel like a favorite, Djokovic said. For me to win, I will be have to be on the top of my game.
It's not as though Djokovic just beat a weak opponent in Fish. The American was playing in his home state and has been playing solid tennis. But Djokovic has been impeccable lately, and a showdown with Nadal is what tennis fans desperately want.
The odd man out is Federer. At 29, there are some who would suggest that Federer has lost his form. Yet the 16-time Grand Slam champion has a combined 0-4 record against Nadal and Djokovic, but is 22-0 against everyone else.
Certainly, it is not Federer who has noticeably faded, rather it is the quality of Nadal and Djokovic that has proven to be too much.
We'll see who currently is the best tennis player in the world on Sunday.
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