Season 1 (2006-2008):
One way
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic took their first steps together in the big table at Roland Garros.
In 2005. If the Spaniard won his first crown in Paris that year (after notably victories against Federer in the semi-finals, then the Argentinian Puerta in the final), the Serbian stopped in the second round ( after a success against the American Ginepri, he fell in 3 sets against the Argentinian Coria, seeded n ° 8).
The first clash between the Spaniard and the Serbian on Parisian soil falls the following year.
In the quarter-finals, the Spaniard leads 6-4, 6-4 when the injured Serbian is forced to retire.
In 2007, the reunion took place in the semi-finals.
The Spaniard is ruthless 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
As in 2008, still in the semifinals with a controlled match from start to finish 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/3).
Season 2 (2012-2014):
The
showdown Unmissable, the Serbian and the Spaniard occupy the first places in the world.
Their duel becomes a classic.
Whatever the format and the surface.
On earth, the balance of power is balanced.
In the final in 2012, Novak Djokovic snatched a set from his rival 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, before, in 2013, causing him to falter deeply in a semi-final that left the KO stage.
In 4:37, the Spaniard came out 9-7 in the 5th set: “In the 5th set, he sent incredible blows, that's why he's a champion, that's why he has dominated Roland-Garros for so many years, ”breathes and suffers Djokovic.
The match played in oppressive heat left no room for the second semi-final (Ferrer-Tsonga).
In 2014, the rain having interrupted the final while Nadal led 2 sets to 1, the final exceptionally ended on Monday.
And the Spaniard had ended up remaining the master of his land 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4.
Djokovic confessed, bruised: “His records speak for him.
His way of playing is impressive.
It's not easy to play against him on this court, in these conditions… ”
Season 3 (2015):
Djokovic destroys a wall
In 2015, in the quarter-finals, in what remains their last confrontation on earth in Paris, Novak Djokovic picks up Rafael Nadal who is only a shadow of himself.
The Serbian wins 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.
“I lost in 2009 (in the round of 16 against the Swede Robin Söderling) and it was not the end, I lost in 2015 and it is not the end.
I intend to come back in 2016 to defend my chances again ”, assures Nadal touched but not sunk.
For his part, the Serbian leaves some gum in the confrontation.
The psychological traces of the duel do not let go.
He lost that year in the final against Stan Wawrinka.
To win his first coronation at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic must wait until 2016, after 3 unfortunate finals, including 2 against Nadal, the one he will find this Sunday against him from Sunday and about which he hesitates not to say: “It's the favorite, it's his house with all the titles he has here.
It's the biggest challenge playing against Nadal here. ”
The trailer for season 4 is ready to accompany this blockbuster soap opera.
At Roland Garros, as elsewhere ...
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