Tim Clement offers up his predictions for the French Open clash between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Tennis tipster Tim Clement offers up his predictions for the French Open semi-final clash between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic will face the ultimate test of his dominance of tennis when he comes up against Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-final.
The world number one has asserted himself as the game's finest in virtually all other venues over the last few years, even conquering Nadal in his red dirt strongholds of Monte Carlo and Rome.
However, the 'King of Clay' can still claim to reign supreme in the clay swing's showpiece event after prevailing against the Serb is last year's final, and now looks to land a historic eighth title.
Nadal cemented his status as the game's greatest claycourt player of all time last year, moving one French Open title clear of Bjorn Borg's previous record of six in the open era.
Having suffered a solitary defeat at Roland Garros, a fourth-round loss to Robin Soderling in 2009, the Spaniard's stranglehold on the tournament represents one of sport's greatest dominations, with another title here seeing him becoming the first tennis player ever to win a single major eight times.
Logic
So, making a case for Djokovic to upset the odds here seems about as logical as promising perfect weather at Wimbledon, right?
Well, the bookies do not seem to think so, with the Spaniard only marginal favourite for Friday's mouth-watering match up, as
Sky Bet go
11/8 for the Serb to triumph.
While Nadal has been in sensational form since returning from his seven-month lay-off, clocking up six titles and making finals as his other two events, meetings with his 'big four' peers have been minimal.
Djokovic prevailed in their solitary clash since last year's Roland Garros final, ending Nadal's eight-year reign in Monte Carlo with a straight-sets win, while Andy Murray's poor showing on the red dirt has prevented any meetings.
Nadal can boast a comprehensive win over his great rival Roger Federer in the Rome final but the Swiss star was only recently back from a seven-week break, while the match-up between the two on clay has always been a pretty one-sided story.
Plenty will point to the Serb's early exits in Madrid and Rome as evidence of lesser form, while there have also been concerns over ankle and shoulder problems.
However, heading into Friday's clash with a win in his last meeting with Nadal arguably gives him the psychological advantage, while he looked in perfect condition in dismantling Tommy Haas on Wednesday.
Nadal was also at the top of his game in making light-work of Stanislas Wawrinka, meaning we should have a treat to cherish.
Favourable conditions
While the improved conditions in the French capital certainly aid Nadal's chances, my one reservation over the Spaniard is his ability to go the distance in an inevitably gruelling contest.
If the Spaniard can dominate with his forehand, dragging Djokovic around the court with his immense power and top-spin, then it could be a one-sided affair, as we saw for the majority of last year's final.
For that reason, those backing Nadal should do so in three or four sets at
3/1 apiece.
However, the interesting market for me is looking at Djokovic to prevail in a decisive fifth.
It would have seemed ridiculous a couple of years ago to oppose one of sport's great physical specimens in going the distance, but the world number one must now be considered to be in better condition.
The epic 2012 Australian Open final is the standout piece of evidence, while Nadal has not gone five sets since his return and his legs have clocked up far more mileage than Djokovic's in the last two months.
Therefore, backing Djokovic in five at
6/1, which is actually a bigger price than Nadal to win in a decider, is the way to go for me.
Either way, it promises to be an intriguing battle between two men who epitomise the physical intensity of modern tennis, with the result providing either Djokovic with total dominance or leaving Nadal on the brink of registering another remarkable record.
The winner of the other semi-final between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer will probably just be hoping the winner has to crawl off the court to offer them a glimmer of hope.
