So the 2013 US Open men’s final is all set between Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Yet another battle between these two tennis giants. This isn’t the first time they have met in the US Open final. As you may recall, these two played an intense championship match back in 2o11 with Djokovic taking out Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1.
These two have a history of having epic championship finals, anybody remember the 2012 Australian Open final? Yeah, the longest championship match in history…nearly 6 hours in length (I had actually fallen asleep after the first set and woke up in the morning just as Nole won), was played by these two. This final match has the potential to go the distance in time.
Who is the better player in the 2013 US Open men’s final?
It’s incredibly hard to pick who is the best of these two finalist.
First off, there’s the world #1, Novak Djokovic, he’s won the US Open (2011) once and has been a finalist 3 times (2007, 2010, 2012); furthermore, Novak has won (and lost) on the biggest of stages against Rafa.
Djokovic is not afraid of Nadal’s biggest weapon, his topspin forehand (the one that produces over 3000 RPMs). Novak is great when it comes to taking the ball early, before it goes up above his shoulders, and putting it where Rafa may not be. Let’s not forget, Novak is one of the best returners of the current players; Rafa’s serve isn’t a big weapon, so suspect Nole will win a bunch of points on return.
Then there’s Rafael Nadal, the guy is a freaking machine. He has practically won everything under the sun this year, with 9 titles and a 59-3 record in 2013. That’s really nothing to shake a stick at.
In this years’ US Open, he’s be so incredibly strong. so strong that he’s only been broken one time…yes, you read that right RAFAEL NADAL HAS ONLY BROKEN ONE TIME BEFORE HIS FINAL MATCH AT THE 2013 US OPEN. I don’t the great Roger Federer can say the same. That basically means that Novak is going to have to play Nadal’s service games out of his mind.
What Rafa has that Novak doesn’t is confidence. Rafa has had a spectacular year in 2013, so he’s got a lot of momentum coming into this final. Furthermore, Nadal has beaten Novak on hardcourts this year at the ATP Masters 1000 in Canada; that surely will give him an edge.
The only thing I can see happening to stop Rafa is losing confidence in his game at the US Open final, is his knees. If Novak can move him side to side, back and forth, and hit behind him then his chances increase significantly.
We’re destined for a boring 2013 US Open men’s final match
What’s likely going to happen is that Rafa and Novak are going to camp out at the baseline and engage in some lengthy exchanges. I expect several 20 or 30 shot rallies between the two; lots of cross court and down the middle strokes, nothing to really write home about.
Sure, it’s not that boring since it is a major final but the reality is, it’s going to be a long final, since all their major finals last about 5 hours on average. So, grab some popcorn and a cool beverage, cause it’s going to be a long one.
Who’s actually going go win the 2013 US Open men’s final?
It’s hard to say, but I’m leaning towards Rafael Nadal as the 2013 US Open men’s champion, he hasn’t been tested nearly as much as the Serb. Novak has had more court time and has played a lot more this year than Rafael Nadal.
So, a score line, ummm… 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Photo credit @ATP World Tour FaceBook page
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