Date: 12th September 2010

US OPEN, flushing meadows ,Arthur Ashe stadium, second Sunday, what comes to your mind, I bet we are not on different planets but, this time it would be completely different experience as we are going to experience RAFA and NOVAK in US Open finals competing each other for their 1st US Grand slam title. One bit you miss possible could have exciting and thrilling Roger-Rafa final on other hand you can see players out there like Novak who want to win grand slams not leaving them to Roger and Rafa only, which has been the case in last 5 to 6 years.

It is pity that Djokovic has to comeback in less than 24 hours on court to compete with RAFA in finals, which I think little unfair after playing as incredible match as he played yesterday against great Roger. Did I mention that it was to me, easily one of the best matches of 2010 if not the best; such was the quality of tennis (quickly comes to my mind ROGER-RAFA Wimbledon’08, Aus open'09 final to name a few).  Imagine 38 errors from Novak, just around 7 errors per set and Roger’s 12 errors per set, where lot were forced by Novak. It is always great to see two of the best players competing in 5 sets. However, that’s the format for all players on the tourney and Novak is no exception. He has to reboot his batteries and come back strong mentally and physically with a strategy on court today to challenge himself to have his chances of winning his 2nd Grand slam. I think, US open grand slam organizers have to really rethink their scheduling strategy. For players, It is fair to have more than 24 hours to revive from a possible 5 set grand slam match.

Rafa Nadal, I think is on the verge of registering himself on the list of THE greatest tennis players of all time and would be 7th player to complete the career slam and it is in my perspective and definitely for RAFA too a great motivation. And, not often I have seen him getting lucky as he has been in this year US Open; Wawrinka beats Murray, his possible semi final opponent, who Rafa is not comfortable playing with and more better things happened to RAFA when Wawrinka played dodgy match to allow Youzney to get into Semis to have RAFA absolute chance of making his 1st ever US Open final. But, let’s not forget whom we are talking about, this is ultimate Warrior and 8 time grand slam champion, Olympic  gold medalist and toughest player to beat on tour. Check records, he has 14-7 record against Novak and the greatest ever and has 8-4 record against Murray who are best players of Tennis right now (and his Grand slam results against these 3 players is even better). Hence, I definitely bet myself on RAFA.

The competition: according to me, we might not see the best final as Novak's body might not support him as his mind. However, it would not be easy for any player to beat him even playing at his best. But, it is a Grand slam final, the final frontier and things are bound to happen that is the beauty of the sport. RAFA definitely has edge on Novak in final due to his incredible ability to stay calm in big matches and play ruthless at important points and will be my favourite (Only time he lost in Slam final was in Wimbledon'07 by Roger) and improved serving has only strengthened his game but FOREHAND remains his biggest weapon. However, if Novak can win first set he can put pressure on RAFA. Novak has relatively better back hand than RAFA, which he would definitely keep in mind and would try to serve and play on RAFA's back hand as much as possible and try to be aggressive. The people who ever saw yesterday’s semi final would be convinced that he has mental ability to beat the best in big matches, which we witnessed earlier in his career. However, question remains same, will his body stand firm.

Prediction: The Animal and no.1 Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in possible 4 set match if not 3 tough sets.

Send me feedback @ prasad.kotamsetti@gmail.com

Cheers,

Prasad