Is this really what tournaments are all about? The No. 1 & 2 seeds face off as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal play for the U.S. Open 2013 championship. Nadal is the hottest player on the planet, while Djokovic has historically been more dominant on hard courts throughout his career. Who will walk away victorious? Let's examine their head-to-head records.
Nadal is the more experienced player. He has over 20 more titles and over 100 more victories than Djokovic. However, coming into today, they have each won one grand slam title. Djokovic started the year off in grand fashion, defeating Andy Murray in the 2013 Australian Open. Nadal returned to Men's tennis by taking the 2013 French Open, a tournament he has always owned.
Now, both men are battling for the No. 1 seed and the chance to win their second grand slam of the year. Who has the advantage?
2013 Record
Djokovic and Nadal have met three times this year. They played in Montreal, Roland Garros and Monte Carlo. Djokovic won their first meeting, but Nadal won at the French Open and Montreal in the semifinals. Entering today's Final, Nadal owns the 2-1 advantage.
Finals Head-to-Head Facts
The two have been clashing since 2006, where they first met in the French Open quarterfinals. Nadal obviously took that meeting. Nadal/Djokovic have a knack for meeting in highly important matches. From 2011 at Indian Wells until 2013 Monte Carlo, the two exclusively met in the Finals of 11 tournaments. Djokovic has won eight of those 11 meetings, including the 2011 U.S. Open championship.
At the U.S. Open, Djokovic and Nadal have split their first two finals meetings. Nadal took the first matchup in 2010, winning in four sets, while Djokovic quickly got his payback the following year.
Overall Head-to-Head
Nadal and Djokovic have met a total of 36 times since 2006. Nadal has won 21 of those 15 matches.
Will Djokovic make it 16 or will Nadal continue defeating opponent after opponent in Men's Singles tennis? Djokovic will be gunning for his second U.S. Open title in his fifth attempt in the Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nadal will be making only his third appearance at the U.S. Open Finals and will aim for his second title at this event.
