As many occasions earlier than, Rafael Nadal congratulated Novak Djokovic on a notable achievement. Novak claimed his first Olympic Video games gold medal in Paris, finishing a profession golden Slam and becoming a member of Rafa on that report. Nadal cheered for Carlos Alcaraz within the gold medal match, however Djokovic prevailed 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 50 minutes, incomes an enormous accomplishment and finishing all 15 nice titles of our sport.
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Novak met Rafa within the second spherical of the Olympic Video games, battling on Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier two years after their earlier duel. Two legends embraced their sixtieth assembly, and Djokovic scored a 6-1, 6-4 victory in an hour and 44 minutes.
Novak stormed over Rafa, taking ten out of the opening 11 video games for an enormous benefit. The Spaniard bounced again and delivered a double break, rattling off 4 video games and locking the consequence at 4-4. Djokovic stayed calm and secured one other break in sport 9 earlier than sealing the cope with a maintain at 5-4, beating Nadal for the thirty second time.
Novak grabbed half of the return factors, making Rafa powerless till that sudden fall at 4-0 in set quantity two. Nonetheless, the Spaniard couldn’t lengthen the duel, missing velocity and depth and struggling an anticipated loss.
Djokovic made a flying begin, producing three superb holds and back-to-back breaks for a 5-0 benefit. Nadal escaped a bagel with a maintain in sport six earlier than world no. 2 secured the opener a couple of minutes later, transferring 6-1 in entrance and gathering a lift.
With nothing working his method, Rafa suffered two extra breaks early within the second set, discovering himself 6-1, 4-0 behind and transferring nearer to his most difficult ATP defeat on clay. All of the sudden, Nadal raised his stage and improved his photographs, pulling two breaks again in video games six and eight and making the duel extra fascinating.
Rafa landed a forehand crosscourt winner within the eighth sport, making the gang erupt in pleasure and hoping for a whole comeback.
Rafael Nadal congratulated Novak Djokovic on his large success.
Nevertheless, Djokovic made a push on the return at 4-4, lacking the opening three break possibilities earlier than seizing the fourth with a drop shot winner, securing one other benefit and serving for the win at 5-4.
Novak landed two highly effective serves at 30-30, sealing the deal in type and transferring into the third spherical. Djokovic took down Dominik Koepfer and secured a spot within the final eight. Dealing with the primary critical opponent, Novak battled in opposition to Stefanos Tsitsipas for a spot within the semi-final, in search of his first top-10 win of the season.
The Serb felt the ache in his troubled knee, struggling within the second set earlier than performing a notable comeback, sealing the deal in straight units and preserving vitality. Novak served properly within the opening set. He broke Stefanos within the fourth sport and claimed the opener 6-3.
Djokovic struggled early within the second set, getting damaged two occasions in a row and falling 4-0 behind! He pulled one break again and saved break factors within the sixth sport, staying inside one break deficit.
The Greek led 5-2 and served for the set at 5-3, lacking three set factors and permitting the Serb to delay the set.
Novak clinched the tie break 7-3, transferring excessive and arranging the semi-final conflict with Lorenzo Musetti. The veteran scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory, stealing the rival’s serve 5 occasions in a row from the closing levels of the opening set and reaching his first Olympic Video games title conflict.
Djokovic chased elusive Olympic gold versus probably the most formidable opponent, with Carlos Alcaraz standing on the opposite aspect of the web. The veteran ousted the younger gun 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 50 minutes, overpowering an in-form opponent and writing final tennis historical past.
Novak claimed 11 factors greater than Carlos, constructing the distinction in two tie breaks after nothing separated them in common video games. The Spaniard hit extra winners and unforced errors.
Djokovic drew nearly 50 errors from the younger gun, sustaining a excessive stage all through the duel and breaking Alcaraz’s resistance within the closing levels of every set.
Carlos had the sting within the opening set, incomes eight break possibilities and failing to transform any. Novak missed 5 alternatives on the return within the first a part of the match, with two rivals repelling all 13 break factors! The Spaniard made a push at 4-4 within the first set, firing winners and producing 5 break possibilities.
The Serb denied them and clinched the tie break 7-3, constructing the lead after an hour and 32 minutes. Novak pushed on the return early within the second set, losing a break probability and retaining Carlos in competition. The Serb handed all six service video games with out dealing with a break level, making a staggering distinction compared to the opening set.
The set went right into a tie break, and Djokovic took cost from 2-2. Novak fired up his forehand and claimed 5 straight factors, sealing the deal in type and celebrating his first Olympic Video games gold medal.