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The 2012 Australian Open should reach an enthralling climax tonight as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal do battle for the right to win the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Join us for live scores and blog from 7:30pm AEDT.
For the third time in succession, Djokovic and Nadal once again meet in a Grand Slam final, thus consolidating their status as arguably the two best players on the ATP tour at present.
Not even the sublime skills of Roger Federer, or the tenacity displayed by Andy Murray, could stop an inevitable showdown between two players that have become a staple in Grand Slam deciders.
Djokovic had his work cut out by Murray in the semi-finals; trailing two sets to one before fighting back to record an epic five set victory in a match that lasted just under five hours.
Nadal meanwhile also recovered from a slow start against Federer, weathering the Swiss maestro’ s precise shotmaking early on to eventually register a tight four set win against his great rival.
Overall, both Djokovic and Nadal approach their third consecutive Grand Slam final with terrific form on the board, so expect tonight’s Australian Open decider to be a closely fought affair.
Prediction:
Djokovic certainly takes a psychological advantage into tonights final against Nadal.
The Serb is on a six match winning streak against the Spaniard in finals, with his biggest victories coming at the 2011 Wimbledon championships and the US Open.
If Nadal is any chance of stopping the Serb’s winning streak, he will need to take a leaf out of Murray’s book, and look to play long rallies whenever possible.
Even though Djokovic displayed enormous fighting qualities to beat Murray, the fact remains that the world No.1’s continues to struggle with his fitness when he engages in lengthy points.
Nadal on the other hand is a master of maintaining his intense level of play for hours on end, so expect the Spaniard to really turn this match into an endurance contest.
Djokovic on the other hand will look to stick to the formula that proved so successful against Nadal last year.
The world No.1 became a master of nullifying Nadal’s heavy topspin groundstrokes, thanks to his ability to produce deep, angled shots off both the forehand and backhand side that constantly kept the Spaniard on the back foot, even on clay.
If the Serb can once again find his range and rhythm with his groundstrokes, then Nadal will have a torrid time trying to gain any authority against Djokovic’s precise shotmaking.
With both players fairly evenly matched, this final has the potential to go down two paths.
If Nadal can turn tonight’s Australian Open decider into a lengthy affair, then we may just see the Spaniard go on and lift his 11th Grand Slam title.
On the other hand, if Djokovic can replicate last year’s US Open form and dominate Nadal from the baseline with his heavy groundstrokes, expect the Serb to prevail once again against the Spaniard.
Regardless of the result, this should be a fascinating and gruelling contest either way.
Djokovic to win in four tight sets.