Djokovic aims for last laugh

The top two seeds in the men's draw have each dropped just three sets on their way through the draw in SW19 and collide in a mouthwatering showdown on Sunday.

Road to the final

Rafael Nadal
1st rd: M Russell (US) 6-4 6-2 6-2
2nd rd: R Sweeting (US) 6-3 6-2 6-4
3rd rd: G Muller (LUX) 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/5) 6-0
4th rd: 24-JM del Potro (Arg) 7-6 (8/6) 3-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-4
Quarters: 10-M Fish (US) 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-4
Semis: 4-A Murray (GB) 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-4

Novak Djokovic
1st rd: J Chardy (Fra) 6-4 6-1 6-1
2nd rd: K Anderson (SA) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
3rd rd: 32-M Baghdatis (Cyp) 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-44th rd: 19-M Llodra (Fra) 6-3 6-3 6-3
Quarters: B Tomic (Aus) 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5
Semis: 12-J-W Tsonga (Fra) 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 6-7 (9/11) 6-3

Regardless of the outcome on Centre Court, Djokovic will overhaul Nadal at the top of the world rankings.

The Serb has been on an incredible run of form in 2011, losing just once - to Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the French Open - and claiming seven titles along the way.

"It's definitely one of the most important achievements and days in my life, in my career," Djokovic said of his ascent to the top of the rankings, which will be confirmed when they are updated on Monday.

"When you know you're going to be the best in the world and you're reaching the finals of your favourite tournament, it's something special."

Head-to-head

Nadal, the elder by a year at 25, leads the career head-to-head 16-11 but Djokovic has the upper hand in recent meetings - winning all four of their matches in 2011, all finals.

Djokovic battled back from a set down for his victories on the hard courts of Indian Wells and Miami.

More surprising, perhaps, was the way he dismantled Nadal - the acknowledged king of clay - in straight sets on the red dirt in Madrid and Rome.

"His mental position over me today is probably a little bit better because he won the last four finals against me," said Nadal.

"I will try my best. I have to play aggressive. I have to play with intensity, with rhythm. That's what (I'm) going to try."

Despite recent history, Djokovic claims he is the underdog.

"This year we have played so many finals. Obviously even though it's a different surface, I believe I can win against him," he said.

"He's playing great on grass. He has still a lot of confidence and he knows how it feels to win a trophy at Wimbledon. I have nothing to lose.

"I'll try to take it to him because I don't want him to control the match.

"I was always trying to visualise myself on Sunday, the last Sunday of Wimbledon. Being in the Wimbledon final it's 'the thing' for me.

"It's just the tournament that I watched first. First time I watched tennis or anything related to tennis was Wimbledon when I was four, five. I remember always Wimbledon being 'the one'."

Nadal has the superior grasscourt pedigree and will be competing in his fifth Wimbledon final, while Djokovic - whose two grand slam wins have come on hardcourts in Australia and the United States - is making his maiden appearance in the Wimbledon showpiece.

The Spanish left-hander is on a 20-match winning streak at the All England Club, unbeaten at the venue since Federer prevailed in the 2007 final.

Career head-to-head

Nadal leads 16-11

2011 Rome, clay, Djokovic 6-4 6-4
2011 Madrid, clay, Djokovic 7-5 6-4
2011 Miami, hard, Djokovic 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7/4)
2011 Indian Wells, hard, Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-2
2010 London, hard, Nadal 7-5 6-2
2010 US Open, hard, Nadal 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-2
2009 London, hard, Djokovic 7-6 (7/5) 6-3
2009 Paris, hard, Djokovic 6-2 6-3
2009 Cincinnati, hard, Djokovic 6-1 6-4
2009 Madrid, clay, Nadal 3-6 7-6 (7/5) 7-6(11/9)
2009 Rome, clay, Nadal 7-6 (7/2) 6-2
2009 Monaco, clay, Nadal 6-3 2-6 6-1
2009 Spain, clay, Nadal 6-4 6-4 6-1
2008 Beijing Olympics, hard, Nadal 6-4 1-6 6-4
2008 Cincinnati, hard, Djokovic 6-1 7-5
2008 London, grass, Nadal 7-6 (7/6) 7-5
2008 French Open, clay, Nadal 6-4 6-2 7-6 (7/3)
2008 Hamburg, clay, Nadal 7-5 2-6 6-2
2008 Indian Wells, hard, Djokovic 6-3 6-2
2007 Shanghai, hard, Nadal 6-4 6-4
2007 Montreal, hard, Djokovic 7-5 6-3
2007 Wimbledon, grass, Nadal 3-6 6-1 4 -1 ret
2007 French Open, clay, Nadal 7-5 6-4 6-2
2007 Rome, clay, Nadal 6-2 6-3
2007 Miami, hard, Djokovic 6-3 6-4
2007 Indian Wells, hard, Nadal 6-2 7-5
2006 French Open, clay, Nadal 6-4 6-4 ret

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Djokovic aims for last laugh 2011-07-02T06:39:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: admin