The two warriors of the ATP Tour Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played a high-quality tennis match on Sydney’s court. Djokovic played flawless tennis and defeated World Number one Nadal 6-2, 7-6(4) in the second tie of ATP Cup 2020.
Both the gentlemen produced some signature shots and electrified the stadium in Sydney. Novak was delighted to play amid a heartwarming crowd in Australia. The Serbian flags were ubiquitous in the stadium and people cheered ‘Nole! Nole!’ and ‘Ser-bi-a! Ser-bi-a! Ser-bi-a!’ with all their emotions.
“It was really unbelievable. The amount of support we got in Brisbane in the group stage and now here in Sydney. You guys took it to a new level,” Novak said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Unreal game of tennis
Rafa played some courageous tennis and came up with risky shots under pressure. The level of tennis was simply unreal at certain instants. Novak saved five break points at 3-2 in the second set and that was a commendable performance. Also, Rafa made two big saves at 6-5 and rescued himself from going a break down in the second set.
It was an intense moment for the Goliaths of the sport in the second set tiebreak. Novak Djokovic came up with a magnificent backhand down the line winner to level the tiebreak score to 4-4. And the shot was followed by an extended rally.
Novak Djokovic won all his matches at ATP Cup
“Every time I get to play Rafa we get to play a lot of exciting points. There were some incredible exchanges today,” Djokovic said after his win. “I started the match perfectly with everything working for me,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic maintains a 100 percent winning record at the ATP Cup. With Novak’s win, Serbia drew level with Spain in the finals of the tournament. The doubles match would decide the champion of the ATP Cup 2020. For deciding doubles, Serbians Djokovic and Viktor Troicki will play against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Feliciano Lopez.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1216326334764503040?s=20
🇷🇸 Djokovic ties at 1-1!
Novak Djokovic wins a huge match vs Rafael Nadal 6-2 7-6 to level the final. Here we go for deciding doubles! #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/JrUe4dhrih
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) January 12, 2020
Think the only real opportunity where Nadal will be thinking he should have done better was the first 4 points of the tiebreaker. That period aside, Djokovic was flawless under pressure.
— Matthew Willis (@MattRacquet) January 12, 2020
19 consecutive hard court sets for Djokovic vs Nadal.
What an unbelievable stat.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 12, 2020
That was some win!@DjokerNole gives his thoughts after his triumph over Nadal.pic.twitter.com/B95WPXrgoJ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 12, 2020
This backhand down the line of Novak at 4/4 in the tie break….. just the signature shot on the pressure moment.
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) January 12, 2020
Ridiculous level of play, even more so at this stage of the season. ATP Cup final will come down to deciding doubles after Djokovic equalises for Serbia by beating Nadal 6-2 7-6.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) January 12, 2020
#ATPcupfinal unreal level 🙌🏻🎾🔥🤩 @DjokerNole @RafaelNadal
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) January 12, 2020
Cheering on his hero 🤗@RafaelNadal | #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/VOlUalekfu
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 12, 2020
— Jelena Djokovic (@jelenadjokovic) January 12, 2020
Djokovic beats Nadal 6-2 7-6 (7-4). Extraordinary level from both in the second set, they both served extremely well and had chances to break at the same time. Point of the match Novak's BH down the line at 4-4 in TB. #ATPCup
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) January 12, 2020
I tried to make my mind and think it had been better if Spain had been kicked out but … look at him… how can I hope anything else than Spain in the final? pic.twitter.com/xCnSTwGQ27
— F r a n 🇪🇸 (@_rafaholic) January 11, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Novak. Gosh… unreal.
— Rashmi (@drivevolleys) January 12, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6(7-4).
Novak Djokovic leads Rafael Nadal 29-26 in their head to head. Novak has not lost to Rafa on hard courts since 2013, in fact hasn't lost a set to Rafa since the 2013 US Open final! Boom! #ATPCup— PP (@PrashantSport) January 12, 2020