The classic of world tennis classics is repeated, for the 58th time, and it does so on the central court of Roland Garros, the Philippe Chatrier, where the 2020 final took place, representative of Novak Djokovic’s toughest defeat over Rafael Nadal . Months later, both contestants meet in the semifinals of the Parisian tournament, one round earlier than what we are accustomed to, in a highly demanding duel, plenty of history and unmatched accumulation of talent, and from which the undisputed favorite for the title will emerge. the final.
Novak Djokovic’s victory against Matteo Berrettini last Wednesday confirmed a duel that has been repeated throughout history and that is rightly named as the anticipated end between the two great favorites to the title. The main one, Rafael Nadal, has been able to lift up to thirteen championship twists in Paris, while Djokovic , aspiring and champion on one occasion, is the number one in the world and does not want to see how Rafa makes him bite the ball for the second time in a row. dust at Roland Garros .
Nadal , meanwhile, could not continue his immaculate winning streak without giving up a set, which lasted more than two years, after giving up a set to Schwartzman in his quarter-final triumph. The Spaniard cast doubt on his supremacy at times, but ended up adding nine consecutive games between the third and the end of the fourth, also the end of the game, to verify that despite the past years and the atrocious competition of the circuit, he is still the king.
Djokovic, ‘black beast’ … until 2020
Nadal’s progression in the tournament leaves him as the lightweight favorite, also taking into account his status as historical dominator of clay in general and Roland Garros in particular. However, Djokovic has been shown in several periods as his black beast and is, in fact, one of only two tennis players who has managed to defeat the Balearic on the Parisian clay. Nole has the formula, but it does not always work for him, as the 2020 final shows, where he was at the mercy of Rafa and ended up taking a severe correction in the form of defeat.
The weather favors Nadal
The match will be marked by the weather and will be played, unlike in the last edition, with heat and in outdoor conditions, a priori more beneficial for Nadal’s ball effects. The 27 degrees that are expected at the time of the match can also activate another key, the arrival of a fatigue that already caused bad news for Rafa at the Australian Open, his last five-set tournament, but that gives him a certain advantage. on a Djokovic who with Musetti was forced to go until the fifth set, while in the second round he also left one on the road with Berrettini .
