Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic To Put Winning Streaks On The Line

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Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic To Put Winning Streaks On The Line
By Tripp Mateschitz, Lawn Tennis Analyst, Posted: Friday, June 3, 2011 4:45am PST USA

PARIS-- The world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain has lost only one match ever at the French Open; while the world number two Novak Djokovic of Serbia has not lost a match since November of 2010.

Both players take the court today at the French Open in the men’s semifinals each with his own impressive winning streak on the line.

Rafael Nadal of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia | Images: Getty

Should he defeat Federer, Djokovic would replace Nadal atop the ATP Tour singles rankings.

In today’s first semifinal, Nadal takes on the 4th seeded Andy Murray of Great Britain. Nadal leads Murray head to head 10-4 with the Spaniard winning the duo’s last encounter on clay in the Monte Carlo semifinals in April 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.

Murray has improved his game dramatically in recent years and Nadal is yet to play his best tennis this year. But Murray is fighting an ankle injury, and Nadal’s fight, experience and fitness should overpower Murray for a place in Sunday’s championship match.

Nadal took the French Open title in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. His only loss ever at Roland Garros came while he suffered from tendonitis in his knees in 2009 in a fourth round loss 6-2, 6-7(2-7), 6-4, 7-6(7-2) to the Swede Robin Soderling. Nadal, who holds a stunning 43-1 record at the French Open, got a measure of revenge in the quarterfinals as he beat Soderling 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(7-3).

In the second semifinals of the day, Djokovic takes on the 3rd seeded Roger Federer of Switzerland. Federer leads head to head 13-9. However the Serbian has won the last three times the two have met; last winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the semifinals at Indian Wells, California.

Federer powered over the Frenchman Gael Monfils in the quarterfinals in straight sets, but Djokovic should prove a much tougher opponent.

Djokovic, 43-0 since November, has won seven tournaments in a row this year including the Australian Open in January. However Federer was the last player to defeat Djokovic; in a 6-1, 6-4 semifinal win at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

But extra incentive today for Djokovic is the number one ranking. Should he defeat Federer, Djokovic would replace Nadal atop the ATP Tour singles rankings June 6th regardless of Nadal’s French Open result.