The second set begins, with delivery Rafa Nadal, who needs to change the game. Yes he can, because Djokovic is huge, focused and powerful in his actions.
It’s sound ‘Sweet Caroline’at Roland Garros waiting for the second set to begin.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 1-6, 0-0
The winner will meet in the second round with the best clash between the Germans Dominic Koepfer and the Italian Matteo Arnaldi
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 1-6
First set for Djokovic, without discussion. An early break put an end to Rafa’s good start, as he found himself outclassed at the Roland Garros centre. The different moments of the form of one and the other are captured.
40-15 Djokovic, TWO SETS OF BALLS. His tennis is amazing, relentless.
30-15 Djokovic, very aggressive in every action. Nadal needs to hit the ground running as the Serbian has a very intense competition rhythm. What is Rafa missing after so long without competing at these levels.
15-15 Nadal’s parallel forehand reaches millimeters.
0-15 Nadal, chases down Djokovic’s drop shot, passes it with a parallel forehand, only to be followed by the ball. STICK, THE SERBIAN RAISES HIS THUMB.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 1-5
Rafa opened his score, with a serve at 15. A relief, no one wants to accept a ‘rosco’. Although the match was still in the Serbian’s hands, that would serve to seal his clear superiority in the opening set.
40-30 Nadal, cross forehand, parallel backhand. Trying to avoid ‘rosco’.
30-30 Djokovic, out. The Serbian is still two points away from the set.
15-30 Djokovic. Another right hand from Nadal that touches the tape and the ball comes off.
0-15 Djokovic, RAFA NADAL’S FIRST DOUBLE FAIL.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 0-5
Novak Djokovic’s second blank game, punishing Rafa Nadal in his Roland Garros fiefdom.
40-0 Djokovic. Thrown away.
30-0 Show Djokovic, cross backhand which is a missile. With the backhand he marks the differences, both in the cross and also parallel to the one that does a lot of damage.
15-0 Djokovic. Left. Rafa arrives but leaves a clue for the Serbian to wrap up the point.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 0-4
Djokovic’s undeniable dominance. Nadal tried, but control belonged to the Serbian, who came out too involved.
Advantage Djokovic, a line shooter. THIRD BREAK BALL IN THIS GAME. A test for Rafa.
BIG GESTURE FROM DJOKOVIC IN FAVOR OF THE BREAK BALL!
Correct the line error by erasing the bounce of the ball before the chair umpire arrives. Sportsmanship, they can referee themselves.
SAVE THE NADAL BREAK. Both.
Correct the line error by erasing the bounce of the ball before the chair umpire arrives. Sportsmanship, they can referee themselves.
SAVE THE NADAL BREAK. Both.
Djokovic’s advantage, broken ball PUNCH TO THE LAT FOR TWO. The Serbian caught the last pass attempt by the Spaniard, who was very attentive to every move. He follows Rafa, he doesn’t want to breathe, let him gain confidence.
Both. SAVE THE NADAL BREAK POINT!! He quickly went for Nole’s drop shot, which he beat with a very soft but deadly backhand cut, through the only gap there.
30-40 DJOKOVIC BREAK BALL. Rafa could not keep up with Novak’s ball rhythm, very intense. Rafa can’t find his way, dazed since the break he suffered.
30-30 Djokovic, pressing serve, immediately advances and Nadal is cornered. The track belongs to the Serbian, Nadal has to try to regain the space. The day was very hot, around 30º C.
15-15 Nadal, hits the net. He took a step back, he was too far in line. He complains to himself, he wants to revive himself. He got to his feet after the blow of serving too early.
15-0 Nadal, which stopped Djokovic’s streak of six points.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 0-3
Blank game Djokovic, confirming the break, taking control of the court. The Serbian came out more focused, he came out very focused. There is no confidence against Rafa at the headquarters of Roland Garros, even if the current situation of the Spaniard is not the same as in previous years.
40-0 Djokovic, smashing from the serve followed by an aggressive forehand.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 0-2
A right hand holding net tape appears. HIS SERVICE HAS BEEN CARRIED, BREAK UP DJOKOVIC. More difficulties for the Spanish.
30-40 DJOKOVIC BREAK BALL, after another kick. The intensity of the two! Great tennis.
30-30 Great return attack by Rafa Nadal, who seems to have been cornered but with a parallel forehand he reverses the rules. Excellent point from Rafa.
THE PUBLIC, WITH RAFA, CHORING HIS NAME.
THE PUBLIC, WITH RAFA, CHORING HIS NAME.
0-30 Djokovic.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 0-1
Rafa misses a forehand, first game for Djokovic. In these shots you can see the lack of competition of the Spanish. In some details the automations are not the same. But it started in earnest. He likes to compete and enjoy.
Djokovic’s advantage, entering the court as soon as the serve helps him to do so.
Both. Djokovic’s disappointment, without Olympic gold, third point followed by double Olympic champion Rafa Nadal.
40-30 Djokovic. Nadal’s second point in a row. Cries of ‘Rafa, Rafa’ in the middle.
40-15 Djokovic. Nadal’s first point came with an aggressive return and a pair of smashes because of the first Rafa launched directly where the Serbian was.
30-0 Djokovic, first ace of the match. Sunny day, fast playing conditions. Rafa likes them.
The Serbian with a knee pad on the right leg and the Spanish, with a bandage on the right thigh.
The Serbian with a knee pad on the right leg and the Spanish, with a bandage on the right thigh.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 0-0
Novak Djokovic serves. GREAT GAME AT THE ROLAND GARROS CENTER, SECOND ROUND OF THE OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT.
Rafa Nadal – Novak Djokovic 0-0
Players finishing warm-up. Track 15,000 viewers would be too small.
Rafael Nadal’s physical problems
He has discomfort in the ischium of his right leg. Hence the bandage he wore in the tournament. He decided not to sacrifice singles in pursuit of doubles. He chose both after talking to the team, including the doctor. Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro.
Different first round
Novak Djokovic didn’t even break a sweat on Saturday against Matthew Ebden, a doubles player. A two-set exercise.
Rafa Nadal defeated Hungarian Marton Fucsovics on Sunday, in three sets and after entering the doubles with Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday afternoon.
Intermediary guarantee
The French, Renaud Lichtenstein, is very well considered in recent times. A top for a top match.
The players entered the headquarters of Roland Garros
One of the most relevant matches of these Olympic Games has arrived. Two legends at Roland Garros headquarters.
Novak Djokovic, meniscus surgery two months ago but was already a Wimbledon finalist after the intervention.
Rafa Nadal, only 18 games this season, 5 weeks ago when he reached the final of Basta.
46 Grand Salm titles on court, 17 Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic, 24 Grand Slams, 3 Roland Garros.
Rafa Nadal, 22 Grand Slams, 14 Roland Garros
Rafa Nadal, 22 Grand Slams, 14 Roland Garros
One of the last times
Rafael Nadal, 38 years old, said he will take some time to reflect after the Games to decide on his immediate sporting future. He will definitely play the Laver Cup in September.
Novak Djokovic, 37 years old, just finished Wimbledon. “It didn’t even occur to me to retire,” he said upon arriving in Paris.
Their second rivalry at the Olympic Games
Tennis fans still remember the easy smah that was missed Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of Beijing 2008, which meant Rafa Nadal’s passage to the final, winning gold against Fernando Gonzalez. The Serbian should settle for bronze. His only Olympic loot so far.
Nadal won 6-4, 1-6 and 6-4.
Nadal won 6-4, 1-6 and 6-4.
Nadal-Djokovic: Ready to play
The center court of Roland Garros, the Philippe Chatrier, is free for Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic to arrive within minutes. Spain’s low ranking, No. 161, means that he finds himself at No. 2 in the world who are in the second round of the Olympic individual draw. Eligible to fight for medals, a highlight at the beginning of tennis.
The great classic, at the Olympic Games.
Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic are playing their 60th match. The greatest classic in the history of professional men’s tennis has a new episode at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games On the center court of Roland Garros.
LiveBlog: 2350
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
