Novak Djokovic Does Better Than Rafael Nadal In Paris
Locker Room
November 4, 2022
Novak Djokovic is returning to his best form after an impressive win over Karen Khachanov.
He eased through to the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters 6-4, 6-1 by adding some top serving to his overall first-set control.
Novak Djokovic will hit his peak in good time to defend his title at Wimbledon 2023.
And that’s great news for tennis fans who just want to enjoy arguably the best player there has ever been.
Rafael Nadal will of course have something to say about that. And he still leads Djokovic 22-21 in Grand Slam titles.
We’re not very used to Djokovic lasting longer than Nadal in Paris. But this tournament is indoors – and the challenge is very different to Roland Garros.
Nadal is a new father and hinted his mind may have been elsewhere after he took on Tommy Paul in his opener.
But that’s taking nothing away from the American and his sensational win.
Paul had to dig deep after warrior-like Nadal started strongly. But he is a supreme fighter too – and eventually prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.
USA tennis fans had more reason to cheer as Paul continued his run against another Spaniard. He beat Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-4 to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Paul said earlier of his victory over the great Nadal: ‘It’s probably my best win. I was obviously pumped for the match-up because it’s always interesting when you play one of the big three.’
The younger players are also in the hunt to pull off upsets. Lorenzo Musetti faces Djokovic in a tricky quarter-final for the Serb.
Remember it was Musetti who took two sets off Tsitsipas at Roland Garros before finally succumbing to the Greek.
Meanwhile world number one Carlos Alcaraz faces a potential banana skin in Holger Rune, who is on fire at the moment.
Djokovic knows how tough it becomes mentally when you are standing at the very pinnacle of the game.
Novak explained: ‘When you are the one who is chasing, you have less pressure. When everyone is chasing you and wants to be where you are, things change mentally.’
Don’t be surprised if Novak Djokovic is back to the top of his sport come Wimbledon 2023.
Will you be there at the greatest tournament of them all in just seven months’ time?