1. While each set of tennis is worth the same on the scoreboard, the first set of significant matches is often overlooked when they are all said and done. That’s not the case with Novak Djokovic’s excellent exorcism of Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarterfinals. It was the only truly competitive set of the 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 match, and the outcome seemed to take a toll on Nadal, who actually lost the first four games of this match. He clawed all the way back to 4-4, rekindling memories of terre battue tournaments past with some vintage defense. Had Djokovic not been able to win this set, it’s easy to envision this match taking a drastically different course.
But unlike previous meetings with Nadal in Paris, Djokovic didn’t let his rash of stumbles consume him, or his ability to continually hurt the nine-time champion. It took him six set points—two were saved by the King of Drop Shot; Nadal played some wonderful droppers under pressure—but Djokovic finished what he started. The final point of the set was won, fittingly enough, with a display of defense that recalled Nadal at his best—except that it was Djokovic who slid out wide, curled a forehand crosscourt, and watched as the reply wasn’t returned.
Nadal never looked as potent after that stage of the contest.
2. Djokovic, on the other hand, was emboldened by the early outcome. He didn’t face a break point in the final two sets, and gradually ascended from comfortable to full flight. In the lopsided third set, we saw the Serb at his most superb. But Djokovic’s best point may have come in the second set, at 5-3, after having already squandered three set points.
At deuce, Djokovic rushed forward with a bold serve and volley play. The half-volley he struck, which caromed off his strings and onto the bright white line, was even more daring. It resulted his biggest display of emotion all day—on match point, a Nadal double fault led to a restrained Djokovic celebration. When Djokovic took a two-set lead, Rafa’s reserves had been sapped. Nadal was immediately broken in the third set and, after a classic start, this contest quickly fizzled out.