Bali news and views editor's comments:
I and tennis enthusiasts throughout the world are anxiously waiting for the beginning of what could be one of the most famous matches of all times.
In is a little under two hours at 4:30 Bali time on Fox News network number one ranked Novak Djokovic will take the court against number two ranked Rafael Nadal.
They have faced off against each other many times in the past but this one promises to be epict. Both have a point to make.
Both have had injuries although Nadals have been much more serious the last few years.
Both are playing in best form they played in years.
Both are playing in best form they played in years.
My money is on Novak which but I have a sneaking suspicion that Nadal may pull it off.
At any rate would pretty well guarantee that one thing is probably the last five sets and at least five hours.
At any rate would pretty well guarantee that one thing is probably the last five sets and at least five hours.
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Another entry in one of the most riveting rivalries in Open era tennis is about to be written when Novak Djokovic meets Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final. Follow live below!
World No.1 Djokovic is looking for his third grand slam title in a row on Sunday night, one that would take him close to holding every major tournament’s trophy at the same time. But in Nadal, he faces his toughest opponent.
The pair share an incredible on-court history, with Djokovic leading their all-time head-to-head 27-25.
If Nadal wins, he will earn a career double grand slam - something only Rod Laver and Roy Emerson have done before him. If Djokovic wins, he will make it seven Australian Open titles, putting him alone in first ahead of Emerson and Roger Federer.
This is the 47th time a grand slam final has seen the No.1 seed face the No.2 seed. In the previous 46, the top seed has won 23 matches, and the second seed has won 23 matches.
Follow Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic in the 2019 Australian Open Men’s Singles final live from 7:30pm AEDT. Live stream.
Final
Their last meeting was a semi-final at Wimbledon last year, won 10-8 by Djokovic in the fifth set - a stunning testament to their hyper-competitiveness. And the last time they faced off in Melbourne, the Serb outlasted Nadal in the 2012 final over five glorious sets that lasted five hours and 53 minutes.
Given the pair have been in dominant form this fortnight - Nadal hasn’t dropped a set and Djokovic has lost just two - both are anticipating another match for the ages.
“He’s my biggest rival in my career. I’ve played so many matches against him, epic matches on this court,” Djokovic said.
“Of course, the one that stands out was the finals of six hours almost in 2012. Hopefully we don’t go that long this time. But I’m sure we’re going to have a good final.
“We can promise one thing, and that’s knowing both of us that we’re going to give absolutely everything out on the court. I think people will enjoy it.”Djokovic is widely seen as the greatest returner of all time, compensating for his lack of weaponry with the game’s best counter-punching.
Nadal is the tour’s king of aggressive play, ramping up his attack this tournament with a new kick-serve.
Both raced through their semi-final matches at lightning pace, and have spent around 12 hours on court each this tournament.
“I see a difficult one as always against a player like Novak, especially when he is playing well,” Nadal said.
“Will be a tough one. I need to be 100 per cent ready for the action. At the same time it is a motivation for me to play against a player like him, in this very important place against the No.1 of the world, when he’s playing so well, too.
“I am excited about that match.”“We live in Big Brother society,” Novak Djokovic said of the #AusOpen’s cameras. “I guess you just have to accept it.”
- with AFP
Australian Open 2019: Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic rivalry history, preview of men’s final
It’s Federer versus Nadal that is acclaimed by many as the greatest rivalry in modern tennis.
Yet there’s one that is more frequent, more even and at times has been much more important; Nadal versus Novak.
Sunday night will be the 53rd meeting between the pair over the last 13 years - and once again, records are on the line.
For Rafael Nadal, it’s a chance at a double career grand slam. For Novak Djokovic, it’s a shot at a seventh title at Melbourne Park.
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