The second match of the ATP Cup 2020 final tie between Serbia and Spain will see another edition of the gloried Rafael Nadal- Novak Djokovic rivalry on Sunday, January 12. The match will not start before 8.30 pm local time (9.30 am BST) and you can find the Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic live streaming options along with its preview, head to head and tips here.
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Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic Head to Head
This is the 55th edition of one of the greatest rivalries ever in the sport. Djokovic leads the head-to-head 28-26 . The two players met twice in 2019, with Djokovic prevailing in the Australian Open final and Nadal winning the Masters 1000 final in Rome.
Djokovic Hungry After Sub-Optimal End to 2019
World number two Novak Djokovic had a strong first half of 2019 winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but the US hard court season through year end did not meet the Serbian’s lofty standards.
Djokovic had to pull out with an injury in his fourth round encounter at the US Open against Stanislas Wawrinka and lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai. Although he won the Paris Masters 1000, he ended the season on a dismal note, failing to go past the group stages at the ATP Finals in London, and in turn missing out on the year end number one ranking.
The first week of the ATP 2020 season has been challenging but positive for the sixteen time major champion. After a challenging opener against Kevin Anderson, he had two comfortable wins against Cristain Garin and Gael Monfils that put him and Team Serbia in the quarter-finals undefeated. However, he was pushed by Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the final eight and won an epic encounter against Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
The Serbian is in the finals against an all-time rival and will be looking to take his team home to win the first edition of the ATP Cup.
World Number One Nadal With a Point to Prove Outside Clay
World number one Rafael Nadal has been in fine form for the last two seasons, making the semi-finals or better of all majors in 2019. The French & US Open champion of 2019 has his major title tally at 19, and will be hoping for another strong showing in 2020, as he closes in on Roger Federer’s tally of 20 titles.
It has been a strong week for Nadal who convincingly won all three of his group stage singles matches, and despite losing to David Goffin in the quarter-final match of their tie, he came back strong to defeat in-form Australian Alex De Minaur in a tight semi-final encounter.
While there is little for a player of the stature of Nadal to prove on the tour, one thing that he has lacked in recent times, is defeating Djokovic on the faster surfaces. The ‘King of Clay’ has fallen short in recent meetings outside of clay against the Serbian with defeats at the 2019 Australian Open, 2018 Wimbledon, 2016 Indian Wells Masters 1000 among others.
Being in strong form in recent months, and ending the year as number one, Nadal will look to bring increased confidence into this encounter and a win here would set him up very well for the season ahead.
Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic Predictions & Tips
Another classic encounter on the cards here at the inaugural ATP Cup and what a way to start the new decade of tennis. As always, there is very little to chose between the two players, but it is Australia, it is the faster surfaces and it is Novak Djokovic.
Tennis fans witnessed how even against an all-empowering Nadal at the Australian Open final last year, Djokovic Down Under can be next to unstoppable. Another thriller for the fans, with Djokovic inching through in a decider.
Tip: Djokovic to win in three sets: 3/1 (Click here to get these odds with bet365)
You can watch & bet on Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic on Sunday, January 12 here. . Get the latest tennis predictions and tips here.
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