Marian Vajda: 'Rafael Nadal played incredible match against Novak Djokovic in Paris'

Novak Djokovic's coach Marian Vajda is pleased with his pupil's season, leading Novak towards a Major and two Masters 1000 crowns. Still, the Serb failed to close the gap to Rafael Nadal in the GOAT race, experiencing the first career default at the US Open and a tough loss to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros final. Vajda praised the Spaniard, saying he delivered an incredible performance in Paris and overpowered his player with deep and precise strokes. In one of the most important encounters of the century, Nadal toppled Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 41 minutes, lifting the 13th crown in Paris and the 20th Major overall. Thus, Rafa moved three Majors ahead of Novak, securing the 14th season with at least one Major crown and joining Roger Federer on 20 most essential tennis trophies. Nadal had 31 winners and 14 unforced errors, stealing half of the return points to control the result and leave Djokovic behind.

Novak sprayed more than 50 unforced errors while searching for his A-game, suffering a massive loss despite a solid resistance in set number three. Rafa lost serve once and grabbed seven breaks from no less than 18 opportunities, delivering aggressive tennis and outplaying Novak in the shortest range up to four strokes.

Rafael nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets in Roland Garros final.

Nadal bageled Djokovic in the opening set and faced no break chances in set number two, taming his strokes nicely and overpowering the opponent for another rock-solid set of tennis that propelled him 6-0, 6-2 in front after an hour and 34 minutes. They traded breaks in the middle of the third set, and it was Nadal who stayed focused in the closing stages. With no room for errors, he held comfortably in games eight, ten and 12, earning a break at 5-5 after a double fault from Novak and sealing the deal with a hold at love for the 20th Major crown. Like against Novak, Rafa played on a high level in all seven encounters, lifting the trophy without losing a set to write the record books.

"Paris was cold and windy, and many said that those conditions would suit Novak. However, Rafa delivered an excellent performance in the final, finding incredible depth with his strokes. Novak was not entirely at 100% after that semi-final marathon against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Too bad that he lost the fourth set against the Greek, having to play a decider to advance and losing energy," Marian Vajda said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36763fy