New Delhi: The quarter-final match between 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal and World Number one Novak Djokovic at French Open on Wednesday is no less than a final.
If the Serbian has been in top form since the start of the year, then the Spaniard too has been dominating on red clay for almost a decade.
Stakes would be all-time high in the epic encounter between the two tennis giants. But Rafa has a slight upper hand while going into the match.
1. Nadal's multiple injuries has taken a huge toll on his form. He has been struggling to get his lost form back for quite some time now. However, whenever he comes to French Open, his favourite slam, he is all-together a different player. And he has been proving it for almost a decade. The southpaw has a handful of tricks up his sleeves – top spin, experience, endurance, long rallies – to give any player a run for his money.
2. Nole is certainly in a top form and is one of the favourties to win the title this time. But it's a fact that the only Grand Slam that eludes him is French Open. Last season too, Djokovic reached the final of the tourney but was eventually beaten by Nadal. So, one can say that psychologically too, Nadal has an advantage over his toughest opponent.
3. If we go by the records, then the Spaniard is way ahead of Nole. In head-to-head record at Roland Garros, Nadal enjoys a formidable 6-0 lead. In fact, when it come to clay courts, figures of 14-5 are in Nadal's favour which clearly suggest that Rafa is a clear favourite in today's encounter.
4. Nadal already has record nine French Open titles under his belt and is an undisputed King at Roland Garros. He has won all these titles in last ten years. This time the 28-year-old will look for 'La Decima' - his 10th title in Paris. To achieve the remarkable feat, he will have to give his best shot to get past the quarter-final hurdle.
5. Nadal is facing Nole for the 44th time, that too on his birthday. And Nadal has never lost a match on his birthday. Crowd might also turn in huge numbers to support the birthday boy, which could turn in the favour of the Spaniard.
