Tennis Picks 2023 (July 18th)

No one will ever say the 'Big Three' era of men's tennis has been bad for the sport, but there comes a time when the future has to arrive if a sport is going to continue to thrive.

Roger Federer has officially retired and it sounds like Rafael Nadal might try and get healthy for one more full year on the Tour in 2024 having not played since his Second Round upset loss at the Australian Open back in January. And at 36 years old, Novak Djokovic is certainly reaching the latter part of his career, which means someone had to come through and fill in.

The dominance of the Big Three has hurt a couple of generations of players, but men's tennis might finally be ready to see a new era of stars come through and win multiple Grand Slam titles.

Carlos Alcaraz will be leading the way as the current holder of the US Open title and now the Wimbledon Champion and he is one of a handful of multiple Slam Winners now operating on the Tour. The likes of Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev have had their Grand Slam moments and could have more than the one US Open that each has won, but Carlos Alcaraz looks the player that will take tennis forward with the likes of Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner now having someone to chase.

The Spaniard will likely go into the US Open as the favourite to defend the title he won there last year, but Novak Djokovic will know he was one or two points from winning the Wimbledon title himself and the Serb is going to be massively motivated by what happened on Sunday. This could mean we have a couple of years of a really good rivalry between the King and the Prince of men's tennis and hopefully the bar has been raised for some of the younger players who have the capabilities of bridging the gap.

Novak Djokovic has not won the US Open since 2018, but he has not had a lot of luck in New York in recent years and he will be doing all he can to change that. Last year he was not even allowed to travel to the tournament, but in 2020 it was a Default that proved costly in the Fourth Round, while the loss to Daniil Medvedev in 2021 saw Djokovic run out of steam having won the first three Grand Slams of the season and having a five set Semi Final win before losing the Final.

The final Grand Slam of the season cannot come around quickly enough and Novak Djokovic is still the favourite to finish with the Number 1 World Ranking at the end of the season. Carlos Alcaraz winning Wimbledon is great news for tennis fans because we are going to see Djokovic find a renewed motivation to keep himself on the throne as the King and this can only be good news for those watching on.

Sports are all about having the next generation come in and move things forward and Carlos Alcaraz is looking the player to get behind to take things on from the Big Three era.

Women's tennis is looking to Iga Swiatek to do that for their side of the sport, but it is a touch disappointing that the two perceived main rivals to the Pole were not able to win the title at Wimbledon. It means Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina both only have one previous Grand Slam victory and more is needed from both of them to really help build a genuine rivalry at the top of the WTA Tour.

Iga Swiatek has won four Grand Slam titles, but has never really enjoyed playing at Wimbledon so her Quarter Final defeat was not completely unexpected, even in the weaker half of the draw. Elena Rybakina was also beaten in the last eight, while Sabalenka will be wondering how she blew her winning position in yet another Grand Slam Semi Final defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

All credit has to be given to Marketa Vondrousova for winning the Wimbledon title and the lefty could be a top player on the Tour as long as she can stay healthy after wrist issues just held her career back. Not many would have tipped Vondrousova up for the title before a ball had been hit at Wimbledon and she was arguably one point away from losing her Quarter Final match against Jessica Pegula as the Czech player became the latest maiden Grand Slam winner.

The victory also means that half of the last fourteen Grand Slams played by the women has been won by a first time Slam Champion. Going a bit further, fourteen of the twenty-five Slams played since Serena Williams won her twenty-third and final title have been won by first time winners, while multiple Slam Champions like Naomi Osaska and Ashleigh Barty are not on the Tour now. As I have mentioned before, this is not ideal and there has to be a hope for fans of the WTA that one of the multiple former Grand Slam Champions in the US Open draw will be able to win the title.

The likes of Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff will have something to say about that in New York City in a few weeks time, but you would make the top three players in the current WTA Rankings to be the favourites when the tournament comes around.

The third Grand Slam of the season is over and there is just one more grass court tournament to be played, although that usually brings in a weaker field in Newport. This week the European summer clay court season has gotten underway with events in Bastad, Gstaad, Budapest and Palermo, while the hard court events will soon begin to get going in preparation for the US Open.

Some big names are taking part on the ATP Tour this week and I will be making some selections, although it may not be every day.

The focus will likely be on the European clay court events, with Tuesday beginning with Picks from the ATP Bastad event.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - 5.5 games v Jozef Kovalik: Any player that comes through the Qualifiers has to be respected, but Jozef Kovalik has not had a very strong season on the clay courts.

In general his matches have been played against those outside the top 100 of the World Rankings and yet Kovalik holds an 11-17 record on the surface in 2023. Three times he has played against top 100 Ranked opponents and Jozef Kovalik has lost all three of those matches, while struggling with his return of serve.

It has to be expected that Kovalik will have more return success against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina who has won 61% of service points played on the red dirt in fourteen matches this year. That number does jump up to 64% when only focusing on matches played against those outside of the top 50 in the Rankings, while the Davidovich Fokina return is a major weapon for him on the surface.

Last year Alejandro Davidovich Fokina crushed Jozef Kovalik in straight sets in Hamburg and it was the return of serve that proved to be a major difference between the players on the day.

The Spaniard should have the return to put Kovalik under pressure and eventually break through the defences on his way to a relatively comfortable First Round win.

Elias Ymer - 5.5 games v Leo Borg: It will never be easy for the son of Bjorn Borg to make a big impact on the Tour with the expectations that come with the surname and that has been an issue for Leo Borg.

Of course the flip side is that Borg is going to be given a lot more opportunities because of the achievements his father had in his prime and a Wild Card into Bastad is an example of that.

Leo Borg faces another Wild Card in Elias Ymer, but the latter has been one of the stronger Swedish players since the retirement of Robin Soderling. Elias has not matched the progress made by his brother Mikael, who is surprisingly playing in Gstaad rather than here in Bastad, but Ymer is considerably higher in the World Rankings than Leo Borg.

The serve needs to be improved by Elias Ymer if he is going to crack the top 100 in the World Rankings, but he has struggled to find the consistency needed. The return is the stronger side of his tennis, but Ymer should still have too much all around for Leo Borg who has not beaten anyone Ranked inside the top 350 over the last twelve months on this surface.

The lower Ranked player has had issues remaining competitive within matches when things start going downhill and Elias Ymer should have enough to find at least four breaks of serve that should allow him to cover.

MY PICKS: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - 5.5 Games @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Elias Ymer - 5.5 Games @ 1.72 Coral (2 Units)

Sebastian Baez - 3.5 Games @ 1.70 Coral (2 Units)

Alexander Zverev - 5.5 Games @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Bernabe Zapata Miralles - 2.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet365 (2 Units)

Tomas Martin Etcheverry - 3.5 Games @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Australian Open Tennis Day 14 Pick- Men's Final (February 21st)

A lot of people didn't think we would get here, but all credit has to be given to Tennis Australia for being able to put on the first Grand Slam of the 2021 season.

Others have helped, but it goes to show that authorities can manage the major sporting events that are set to take place in 2021 despite the continued havoc that Covid-19 is creating on communities around the globe. The Tennis Tour is probably one of the harder ones to manage with the tournaments that are set to be played in various countries through the course of the season, but there are positive signs that it can work, even if events have to be scheduled within one country for sustained periods.

On Saturday Naomi Osaka picked up a fourth Grand Slam title and you have to believe the world is at the feet of the 23 year old superstar. I would love to see an improvement on the clay and grass court events, but Osaka will be favourite going into any hard court tournament at the moment and she has the kind of ability that could see her win multiple more Slams through the years.

It wasn't as easy a win as the scoreboard would say with the pivotal tenth game of the first set changing the entire course of the match, but Naomi Osaka is a deserved Champion. I think Jennifer Brady will come again, although she won't enjoy the kind of draw she got in Melbourne on a regular basis in the Grand Slam events, but the Semi Final run at the US Open previously suggests the American can challenge for a Major.

Her game could be well suited to the grass courts later this year and I do think Women's Tennis is in a healthy place with a number of quality operators on the Tour already and with younger, fresher faces ready to deliver too.

The Tour will move on from Melbourne at the end of the Australian Open with a single WTA event being held in Adelaide and the ATP Tour having three events on three different continents beginning too.

There are some big names returning to main Tour level with Andy Murray back this week and Roger Federer close to his own return, while players are seemingly taking in more events than they may have in usual times. The Golden Swing in South America will begin, as will the early indoor hard court season in Europe, while the Middle East will soon have their annual big events hosting both the ATP and WTA Tour.

Before all that we have to decide the first Grand Slam of the season for the men and it looks about as good a Final as anyone could have hoped for.

Novak Djokovic will likely go in as a narrow favourite, but Daniil Medvedev may be playing as the best player in the world right now and this is a fascinating Final for us to look forward to.

My thoughts on that are below.

Novak Djokovic-Daniil Medvedev over 39.5 games: The eight time Australian Open Champion taking on arguably the hottest player on the ATP Tour looking for a first Grand Slam title anywhere is a perfect way to sign off at the Australian Open in 2021. The layers are not taking any chances with the odds with very little separating World Number 1 Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in the markets.

There has never been much between the players in previous meetings with Novak Djokovic leading the head to head 4-3, but Daniil Medvedev having the confidence of winning three of the last four between them. That includes a very comfortable straight sets win at the ATP Finals which were won by Medvedev and the Russian player has heaped the pressure on Novak Djokovic ahead of the Final with his belief that the sense of expectation could weigh heavily on his opponent's shoulders.

A strong Semi Final win suggests Novak Djokovic is not suffering with any injury issues that have lingered from the Third Round win over Taylor Fritz, although I do think that is factoring into the price for the match. Picking a winner is not going to easy considering the form that Daniil Medvedev has been showing since the Paris Masters and I think the layers have got things right with the pick 'em prices being used.

This is a court that Novak Djokovic has loved playing on through his career, but Daniil Medvedev is well suited to the conditions and the only feeling I really have is that this is going to be a long match.

The World Number 1 has not looked his best in this tournament, but Novak Djokovic is coming off arguably his best performance at the Australian Open. It will offer encouragement, but the numbers definitely lean towards Daniil Medvedev's performances not only here in this event, but in Australia over the last month.

Both have been serving well, but it is the Medvedev return of serve which has really impressed the most and I think that could be crucial on the day.

Nothing will be handed to him, but in the last three matches between these players on the hard courts the numbers do slightly lean towards Daniil Medvedev. In those matches it is the Russian who has earned more break points than Novak Djokovic in two of the three, while the other saw them both produce eleven break points on the day, and I do think there are plenty of signs that suggest that we will have a new Grand Slam Champion.

Novak Djokovic did beat Daniil Medvedev in Australia at the ATP Cup last year, but that was another close match and I do think we are going to see at least four sets played in this Final.

With the returning ability of both players it would perhaps not be a major surprise if the total games line is a touch too high, especially as Djokovic has only held 76% of his service games against Medvedev in the last three hard court matches between them. At the same time Daniil Medvedev has held 84% of his own service games so he could be very difficult to peg back if getting in front, but it looks like a match that will come down to the fine margins.

Previous matches have suggested that this could be a match that needs five sets to cover the total line with the way both have been able to return. That is something that is something that is on the mind, but the conditions are pretty quick in Melbourne, even under the lights, and it may mean there has to be at least one tie-breaker played and that will put the match well on the way to covering this line as long as it goes four sets.

I think it is going to be an exceptional Final with the experience with Novak Djokovic, although I expect Daniil Medvedev to have learned a lot from his defeat to Rafael Nadal in the 2019 US Open Final when he came from 2-0 down to almost pull off the comeback.

There are likely to be twists and turns throughout the Final, but I think it will be tight and competitive and we can see the two players produce enough games to surpass this total games line set.

MY PICK: Novak Djokovic-Daniil Medvedev Over 39.5 Games @ 1.83 Bet365 (2 Units)

Australian Open 2021: 47-43, - 3.78 Units (180 Units Staked, - 2.10% Yield)

ATP World Tour Finals Tennis Picks 2016 (November 20th)

The ATP World Tour Finals has reach the Final match of the week and the 2016 season aside from the Davis Cup Final which is played next week.

It isn't just the Final that is being played on Sunday but the winner of the Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray match will also end the year as World Number 1 so there is plenty on the line that can also be a momentum builder for the start of the 2017 season.

The off-season is not that long in tennis when you think the first tournaments of the 2017 season are scheduled for just seven weeks time from Monday. We are a little over two months away from the first Grand Slam of the 2017 season which is absolutely crazy to think about, but there are still a few big matches left in 2016.


Novak Djokovic - 2.5 games v Andy Murray: The ATP World Tour Finals comes to an end on Sunday and it is the Final that most would have wanted. The top two players in the World Rankings go up against one another with the trophy and the World Number 1 Ranking on the line.

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have won all four matches played so far this week, but I think it is hard to ignore the amount of tennis that Murray has had to play compared with Djokovic. The long winning run does mean Murray is going to believe he can dig deep enough to come through in the Final, but he has twice had to go over three hours to win his matches and yesterday's Semi Final victory over Milos Raonic came close to four hours on court.

Compare that with Djokovic who lost just two games on his way to crushing Kei Nishikori and the former World Number 1 has to be a lot fresher. I do think Djokovic has not been at his very best this week, but his level could be good enough if Murray is fatiguing and I think the Serb has to feel he can outlast Murray much like he has throughout his career.

Matches between Djokovic and Murray have been competitive, but tiredness didn't help Murray when beaten in four sets by Djokovic in their last meeting at the French Open. I can see the first set being very competitive, but Murray will find it tough to continue finding the strength to win the long rallies these two tend to play against one another. At that point I think Djokovic will take control of the match and come through with a 75, 63 win.

MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic - 2.5 Games @ 1.73 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Weekly Update: 7-7, + 0.18 Units (28 Units Staked, + 0% Yield)

US Open Tennis Day 14 Pick- Men's Final 2016 (September 11th)

Before we get on with the pick, I have to say I can't believe it has been fifteen years since 9/11 which is a remarkable length of time.

None of the heroes of that day in New York City will ever be forgotten and I imagine there will be some huge moments of reflection ahead of the sporting events on Sunday.


Angelique Kerber has won the women's title in Flushing Meadows to underline her position as the new World Number 1 with two Grand Slam titles under her belt in 2016. I am not going to call it a changing of the guard at the top of the WTA, but Kerber will likely be a lot closer to the favouritism that Serena Williams has in any event they both enter and looks to be the player to beat in the WTA Championships in a few weeks time.


The picks from the US Open have had a decent return already but one more winner could help put a serious dent in the season totals to perhaps give 2016 the strong ending I have wanted after a poor first six months.


Stan Wawrinka + 4.5 games v Novak Djokovic: The doubts about Novak Djokovic continue to linger after he once again had to call the trainer in his win over Gael Monfils in the Semi Final on Friday. Djokovic is either pulling the wool over the eyes of every player on the Tour by asking for the trainer to keep himself looking vulnerable, or he is clearly not at 100% which means Stan Wawrinka has every chance of upsetting the odds for the third time he has reached a Grand Slam Final.

Wawrinka brings in the confidence of having won 10 Finals in a row and he did beat Novak Djokovic at the French Open last year in the Final. I am a little concerned that Wawrinka has spent a lot more time on the court than Djokovic on the way through to the Final, but the day of rest between matches should mean that is not a concern.

He should have a better level than Djokovic in terms of what he can produce on the field and I think it is very important that Wawrinka has beaten him in big Grand Slam matches. That means Wawrinka is not feeling overawed by the challenge in front of him and I think he can win this match outright let alone with the games in hand.

I have a lot of respect for Djokovic, but I think this is the first player he has faced who will believe he can win the match from the second he walks onto the court. I don't think either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Gael Monfils really believed that and that saw them give Djokovic a lead and make the climb to the top of the mountain feel that much bigger.

Djokovic won't give up the chance for a third Grand Slam title in 2016 easily, but my gut feeling is that Stan Wawrinka will dig deep enough to keep this very competitive and perhaps win his third Grand Slam title. I will back Wawrinka with the games in this one.

MY PICKS: Stan Wawrinka + 4.5 Games @ 1.91 Bet Fred (2 Units)

US Open Update: 40-37, + 11.84 Units (146 Units Staked, + 8.11% Yield)

French Open Tennis Day 15 Picks 2016- Men's Final (June 5th)

It was a fantastic day for Garbine Muguruza and all of the people who have backed her in her career as she won the French Open with a comprehensive win over Serena Williams. There was no doubting that Muguruza was the better player on the day, although Serena produced her best tennis since earlier in the tournament after struggling in her last couple of matches.

Whether that was down to the rumoured injury or whether Serena Williams was just a little out of form might only be evident when we see how she is going into Wimbledon which begins at the end of the month.

For Muguruza the sky has to be the limit as she put together her game impressively after a tougher than expected First Round match. She is moving into the World Number 2 spot in the Rankings and Muguruza will have good memories of Wimbledon where she reached the Final in 2015 so another big Grand Slam run could be in her immediate future.

The long term suggests she could become the face of the WTA Tour when the likes of Serena Williams move on, but the big question has to be how Muguruza will handle the new pressures of being a Grand Slam Champion. It has affected Angelique Kerber from her win earlier in the season at the Australian Open but the lack of real time between the French Open and Wimbledon might actually play to her favour.


Now we are left with just one more match at the French Open as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray get set to contest another Grand Slam Final. It means they will complete the set of playing Finals against one another at every Grand Slam event which is some achievement and I don't think too many would be ruling out seeing these two players compete for the Wimbledon title in around six weeks time either.


Novak Djokovic - 4.5 games v Andy Murray: This is the Final that most would have been expecting when the draw was made two weeks ago, although Andy Murray had to dig deep to come through the first two Rounds where he was a set away from being defeated twice. For Novak Djokovic it has been a much more serene progress through the draw with the only dropped set coming in ridiculous conditions against Roberto Bautista Agut.

This has long been a dream of Novak Djokovic's to win the French Open and he has just fallen short the last couple of years. It does mean he will likely feel some pressure in this match, more than he would normally when playing in Slam Finals at the other three events, and that is what Andy Murray has to try and take advantage of.

For Murray, merely becoming a player capable of winning titles on clay would have been a big achievement for him, but you can't ignore nerves that will come when playing in Slam Finals. He might have beaten a tired Djokovic in Rome last month, but Murray has to try and ignore the fact he has lost four in a row against the World Number 1 at Grand Slam level since beating him at Wimbledon.

Two of those Slam defeats have come in Finals including at the Australian Open earlier this season and I think the slightly warmer conditions we are seeing in Paris will play into the World Number 1's hands. That isn't to say we won't see the grinding rallies that both Djokovic and Murray have produced in the past against one another, but that won't bother Djokovic who continues to believe he has more in reserve than Murray when it comes down to the critical moments.

Last year it looked like Djokovic was going to come through Murray in the French Open Semi Final easily enough, but the third and fourth sets were won by the latter and he will look at those for confidence. The win in Rome had an asterisk next to it, but it again should boost the confidence of Murray as he bids to win the third of the four Grand Slams.

I just think this is Novak Djokovic's time to add the one trophy he wants most.

He comes in pretty fresh having dropped one set all tournament and his record in big matches against Andy Murray can't be ignored. As much as Murray has improved as a clay court player, Novak Djokovic is the Number 1 player on this surface and should have won this tournament last year.

Djokovic came in off back to back emotional wins over Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray before falling to a free-hitting Stan Wawrinka, but he should be much more level headed from an emotional standpoint this time. He knows he can beat Murray in these big matches and has the fitness to wear down his opponent and I can see that being the case here.

This is going to be the tenth Grand Slam meeting between Murray and Djokovic and the World Number 1 leads those 7-2. In all of those seven wins, Djokovic has covered this number of games as he wears Murray down in the later stages of their matches and I think we will see something similar here.


I will also have an interest in backing 'Over 38.5 Games' in this one.

The straight sets win Djokovic had over Murray at the Australian Open this year is a rare situation for when these players meet one another. Only three of their nine Grand Slam matches have ended in straight sets and all the ones that have gone beyond that point have surpassed this total.

With the way both are playing this week, I would be surprised if either player wins this one in straight sets and they do tend to play these really tight, competitive sets that get close to or into tie-breakers. Therefore backing the over total games looks another decent call from this Final.

MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic - 4.5 Games @ 1.80 Coral (2 Units)
Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray Over 38.5 Total Games @ 1.85 Betfair Sportsbook (2 Units)

French Open Update: 28-30, - 8.16 Units (115 Units Staked, - 7.10% Yield)

Australian Open Tennis Day 14 Picks- Men's Final (January 31st)

If the first Singles Final of the 2016 Tennis Grand Slam season is setting the standards that we can expect all season, then we are going to have a really enjoyable time watching the sport this season.

Both Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber played their part in a drama filled match and it was the latter who surprised most observers by beating the World Number 1 over three sets. Kerber deserved her win and her place as the World Number 2 as she finally won the big one.

I will admit that I thought she might have missed her window to win a Grand Slam, but it goes to show what hard work will reward you with and Kerber is a deserved winner. Backing up this start to the season is going to be a huge task for the first German Grand Slam winner this century, while Serena Williams has to pick herself up from a second consecutive Slam disappointment.

History is going to begin to weigh on her shoulders, but there was enough form shown by Serena Williams over the last two weeks to think she goes into every tournament she enters as a big favourite. It would be nice for Serena to win one of these matches that goes into a third set on the big stage just to reignite any confidence that might have been lost, but I think the American can have a very big 2016 season and get past Steffi Graf's 22 Grand Slam titles.


Whenever the World Number 1 and World Number 2 meet in a Grand Slam Final, most would be expecting a competitive affair. However, Novak Djokovic's comprehensive hammering of Roger Federer over four sets on Thursday night had made him a strong favourite to beat Andy Murray who played his Semi Final a day later and was forced to dig deep in a five set win over Milos Raonic.

The layers might not be expecting the most entertaining Australian Open Final, but I do think they could be surprised in this one.


Novak Djokovic- Andy Murray over 36.5 total games: The layers have looked at the way the second Semi Final went down for Andy Murray as he was dragged into a long five setter while Novak Djokovic was resting at home after a relatively straight-forward Semi Final win the night before.

There is no doubting that Novak Djokovic believes he is the fittest player on the Tour and he has regularly made not to mention that he always feels he can out-last Andy Murray if it comes down to their physical fitness. Having an extra day of recovery no doubt gives Novak Djokovic an edge in this one especially as the World Number 1 would have been a strong favourite even if he had played the Friday Semi Final.

Djokovic has looked very strong in his last two matches since being given a scare by Gilles Simon and I can't see him losing this Final now. He has beaten Murray in ten of their last eleven matches since the Wimbledon Final of 2013 and his run of victories include winning all three matches they have played at Grand Slams since that defeat.

One of those matches was last year in the Final at the Australian Open as Novak Djokovic wore down Murray after splitting the first two sets. He dropped just three games in the final two sets after being forced into two tie-breakers and it is a feature of their previous matches that there are tight moments when Murray is able to have success before Novak Djokovic eventually takes control.

I do think Andy Murray needs a fast start to get the adrenaline pumping and to ignore the tiredness he may be feeling after the match with Milos Raonic. Eventually you have to think that will help wear down Murray as Djokovic uses his physical advantages to take control of the match but I wouldn't be surprised if the World Number 2 can take a set in this one.

Djokovic has only beaten Murray in straight sets once before so there is a reasonable thought to backing the Serb to win this one in four sets. Murray isn't as aggressive as Federer and he can sometimes make enough balls to force Djokovic into a few mistakes and it is only after a couple of hours when Djokovic's superior movement and ability to get around the court begins to take control in previous matches.

I know Djokovic has beaten Murray quite easily in two matches at the back end of last season and the latter is in a tough position having played the second Semi Final and being kept out on the court for a long time. However, I am seeing that five of the last six Grand Slam matches between these players have gone at least four sets and surpassed this number of games and I do think Murray can match up well with Djokovic for a certain amount of time before perhaps falling slightly below that level and falling away.

I really see a situation where they will play two competitive sets that will perhaps be split one each before Djokovic begins to take control and move away from Murray. It is hard to imagine Murray allowing himself to crumble as badly as he did last season when bagelled in the fourth set, but that shouldn't matter in getting over this number of total games.

MY PICK: Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray Over 36.5 Total Games @ 1.73 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Australian Open Update: 30-47, - 34.10 Units (148 Units Staked, - 23.04% Yield)

ATP World Tour Finals Day 8 Picks 2015 (November 22nd)

This is the final week of the regular tennis Tour and the Final of the ATP World Tour Finals is played on Sunday with just the Davis Cup Final to be played next week.

It is a concern when you think of some of the events that have been happening in Belgium over the last twenty-four hours and anyone who is travelling to see the Davis Cup Final needs to make sure they stay safe although it looks like Belgium will be hosting the Final as was scheduled.


On Sunday the two best players in the world, in my opinion if not the World Rankings just yet, will meet in the Final at the O2 Arena and it is the Final that most would have predicted at the start of the tournament.

Hopefully I will be able to end the week with another winner after a good tournament, although this season has been far from the level I expect of myself. July-October were terrible months when I made some mistake and perhaps overruled my head, but it is something I will take on board and look to improve in 2016 and get back to the winning years.


Novak Djokovic - 3.5 games v Roger Federer: For the second time this week and for the second time in consecutive seasons, Novak Djokovic is set to face Roger Federer at the O2 Arena in the World Tour Finals. Last season was an anti-climax as Roger Federer pulled out of the Final due to injury which meant he focused on the Davis Cup Final, but this year both players look in strong form and the Final should be very good to watch.

Both Djokovic and Federer came through their Semi Final matches in straight sets and both looked very good in their wins over Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka respectively. The edge on that form has to be given to Novak Djokovic who was very, very good, but Roger Federer might have the mental edge having beaten Djokovic in the Group a few days ago.

How much am I going to stake in that result? Not that much actually because Novak Djokovic admitted he had been very loose in the second set to let the match get away from him. The fact is that that wasn't an elimination match so Djokovic might have let his focus wander, but that is not likely to happen in the Final.

It is a big Final for Federer too who can still take over as World Number 2 for the end of season Rankings if he wins the tournament and Andy Murray isn't successful in the Davis Cup next week. However, Federer hasn't looked himself the last couple of matches (not talking about the new-look bearded Federer) and he has won through sheer will.

That isn't enough against the World Number 1 who I think will be much better in all aspects of his game than he was in his straight sets loss to Federer. As I said earlier in the week, the conditions should suit Djokovic more than Federer and he has won three in a row at the O2 in the World Tour Finals which backs up that belief.

I thought Djokovic would win 75, 64 earlier this week and I was wrong... However, I think he is the right favourite here and I will look for Djokovic to just be a little more solid all around and take his chances this time around. Federer might not be at 100% when it comes to his health as I still think he could be suffering from a cold he had on Thursday and I think Djokovic wins the title with an impressive win to round up an impressive 2016 season.

MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic - 3.5 Games @ 2.10 Bet Fred (2 Units)

World Tour Finals Update: 9-5, + 6.90 Units (28 Units Staked, + 24.64% Yield)

French Open Day 15 Picks 2015- Men's Final: Novak Djokovic v Stan Wawrinka (June 7th)

The women's Final is in the books and Serena Williams has reached Number 20 in terms of Grand Slams won which is a remarkable achievement. For a long time it had looked like the Final would be a fairly straight-forward one for Williams, but the American got nervous and Lucie Safarova maintained control of her emotions to come back from a double break down in the second set and broke serve once again when Serena Williams served for the match at 6-5.

Safarova impressively broke, won the tie-breaker and was then 2-0 up in the decider, but Williams once again discovered her form and won the final six games to take home the title for a third time in Paris.

The season Grand Slam is on, which would help Serena Williams match Steffi Graf's 22 Grand Slam titles, although other players will feel they can 'get her' early in the next two Grand Slam tournaments.

Personally it is hard to see how Serena Williams is going to be stopped in her two favourite Slams, especially if she can go into Wimbledon and the US Open healthy, but she will be a very short price to win those, too short for me in all likelihood.


So the final day at the French Open is when Novak Djokovic, who eventually saw off Andy Murray in their delayed Semi Final on Saturday, and Stan Wawrinka go for their first French Open title.

Serena Williams might have every chance to win the season Grand Slam, but Novak Djokovic might be a strong favourite to do the same if he takes the title home on Sunday. This is the one he has coveted more than any other as Djokovic could join an elite list of players who have won the career Grand Slam.

Not many would oppose Novak Djokovic in the next two Slams either, although Andy Murray showed he is getting closer and prefers Wimbledon and the US Open where he has won his two Slams and could be the big threat to Djokovic going forward.

First things first, Djokovic has to hold off Stan Wawrinka who is a surprise Finalist here and had a full day of rest going into the Final while the World Number 1 was toiling against Murray on Saturday. The Final could be a good one if Wawrinka can bring in the form that has troubled Novak Djokovic in the past, but he will have to serve better than he did in the Semi Final to make this a classic for the fans.


Novak Djokovic-Stan Wawrinka Over 3.5 Sets: If you had watched the two men's Semi Finals from start to finish, you would have noticed that Stan Wawrinka had given up a host of chances for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to break serve in the last three sets which may have changed the entire direction of the match if the Frenchman could have taken his chances.

On the other hand, Novak Djokovic created a lot of chances on the Andy Murray serve, but wasn't effective enough during sets three and four to make that an easier day in the office. However, the World Number 1 has to be happy with his serving having only given up break points in three games during the entire five set match, although Murray raised his game at those times to break every time an opportunity presented itself.

I said on Friday that Wawrinka would have a really hard time winning the French Open if he doesn't improve his serving because Tsonga is a fairly limited returner, yet was creating chances at will. Now he takes on Djokovic, likely a top five returner of all time, who will keep the Swiss Number 2 on the backfoot on his own service games if Wawrinka is not hitting his marks.

Blisters on his hands are a concern too, but the fact that Djokovic had to come out on Saturday may help Wawrinka feel he can physically compete. The other element that has made Wawrinka a dangerous opponent is his shot-making off both wings off the ground and he will need all of that to hit through Djokovic who defends as good as anybody in the World.

That power can cause Djokovic some problems even when he is serving though as Wawrinka will look to attack the serve and I do think the latter can have some success. There will be nerves on Djokovic's side of the court knowing how close he is to achieving his dream and matches between these two have been gruelling affairs at the highest level in recent years.

What do I mean? Well about the fact their last four Grand Slam matches have all gone to five sets and they have also met in a Davis Cup tie which also needed five sets to separate them. Novak Djokovic has gotten the best of the majority of these five setters as his fitness has seen him outlast Wawrinka, but don't discount the latter who was beaten 12-10 at the Australian Open in the fifth set in 2013 only to return the favour in a 9-7 final set in 2014 at the same venue.

I do think Novak Djokovic is going to be too strong for Stan Wawrinka, but even a World Number 1 can get nervous when closing on history as Serena Williams showed on Saturday. That will give Wawrinka a chance to make this a competitive match if he can start well and I think the layers are taking a chance on this match seeing both players win at least one set.

If Novak Djokovic returns well it could be tough for Wawrinka and it won't be super hot on Sunday which suits the Serb just fine. However, the latter will believe in his game being competitive and that can see him take a set and it would be beyond stunning if the Swiss man was to win this in straight sets.

At odds against, I will look for this match to last at least four sets between two players who have played some epic Grand Slam matches over the last two and a half years.

MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic-Stan Wawrinka Over 3.5 Sets @ 2.10 Paddy Power (2 Units)

French Open Update: 46-33, + 19.70 Units (155 Units Staked, + 12.71% Yield)

Wimbledon Day 13 Picks 2014- Men's Final: Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer (July 6th)

The women's Final wasn't the competitive one that some imagined as Petra Kvitova blew Eugenie Bouchard off the court- I am not a fan of the media coverage of Bouchard, the new blonde WTA player on the scene that gets a disproportionate amount of newspaper columns compared with other players, but the player deserves a lot of respect.

Getting to three consecutive Grand Slam Semi Finals and also going a step further at Wimbledon is a successful season to this point, but Bouchard was a little overwhelmed by the power that Kvitova brought onto the court.

I did feel a little deja vu when watching Kvitova dismantle Bouchard through sheer power as a reminder of her first win at Wimbledon when it looked like the dawn of a new era of women's tennis. The same feeling went through me when watching the Final on Saturday and this 24 year old from the Czech Republic should certainly be better equipped to move forward as the Wimbledon Champion than she was in 2011.

Kvitova has said so much in her post-match comments to the media and I hope this does give her the confidence to make a move up the Rankings and become a consistent threat in every Slam going forward.


On Sunday, the men's Final takes centre stage on Centre Court and looks to be a fascinating one between two genuine rivals in Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Hopefully it will live up to the hype and end the daily picks from Wimbledon with a positive note and make for a strong tournament after a tough start.


Novak Djokovic - 2.5 games v Roger Federer: History has been something that Roger Federer has been creating through his career, but he can still make another little footnote by becoming the first men's player to win the Wimbledon title eight times in his career.

Standing in his way is Novak Djokovic who must be feeling the pressure of ending his wait for a Grand Slam title after coming so close over the last fourteen months to adding to his tally, but losing some huge matches in that time.

Djokovic has lost in the Final of three of the last four Grand Slams including the Final at Wimbledon last season and he has won one of the last three Finals on Centre Court. Add in a big Semi Final loss at Roland Garros in 2013 and there were some suggestions that Djokovic has failed to win the 'big matches' in the last eighteen months.

Consistency has been key for Djokovic to keep him in the top two of the World Rankings, but winning the title is a huge motivation for him and he has come through two tough Rounds which should have him battle hardened for this Final. Importantly, Djokovic managed to come through in four sets in the Semi Final which means there should be enough in the tank to challenge Roger Federer who has been in immense form the last two weeks.

The serve has been key for Federer who has only been broken once through the tournament, but has not faced a returner of the talent of Djokovic through the event.

Federer has been aggressive with plenty of forays into the net and he will look to dictate behind the forehand. I also think he has a very strong tennis mind which will have noted the problems the slice that Grigor Dimitrov used against Novak Djokovic in the Semi Final did cause for the Serb and I expect Federer to employ that off the backhand side.

The serve will definitely need to be working perfectly for Federer to win the match, although the general conditions might not favour him so much with cooler temperatures than we have seen for most of the two weeks. It will also be a little damp as rain is scheduled in the morning, but not long enough for the match to be played under the roof.

That would have given Federer a bit more of an edge in the contest I feel, but he might be forced to push a little more in this one with the ball perhaps not travelling as quick as it has been. It will affect Federer getting into the net too as Djokovic might have a little more time to line up his passing shots and I do think the World Number 2 will win this match, although it will likely last at least four sets.

I would recommend keeping an eye on the weather as closing the roof would shift my thought towards Federer winning an eighth title in SW19, but I will begin by picking Novak Djokovic to come through 64, 63, 36, 64.

MY PICK: Novak Djokovic - 2.5 Games @ 2.10 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Wimbledon Update: 38-28, + 22.94 Units (123 Units Staked, + 18.65% Yield)

US Open Men's Final Pick 2013- Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal (September 9th)

It was a fascinating Final between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka yesterday and I am expecting no less from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the men's Final which will take place on Monday afternoon.

Both players will have their supporters in this one and those that backed Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic at the start of the tournament would have a chance to lay off their units, although I am still of the belief that Nadal will come out on top in this one.


Whenever I have watched Rafael Nadal in the last two weeks, I have been impressed with his performances and I  have been reminded of the way he blitzed his way through the draw in 2010 when he won his sole US Open title. In that Final, Rafael Nadal took care of a tired Novak Djokovic in four sets and it will be interesting to see how the World Number 1 responds to his five set match against Stanislas Wawrinka on Saturday afternoon.

Wawrinka gave Djokovic almost everything he could handle and we saw a flat Djokovic come out in the Wimbledon Final off a similar rest period back in July- if he is lacking intensity in this one, he will be given a torrid time by someone like Nadal that will play every point hard and who will not give the Serb an easy way into the match.

Like in 2010, Nadal has looked very effective behind his serve and he is playing with an aggression that could break through the Djokovic defences in this one. The World Number 1 has lost a number of big matches since winning the Grand Slam at the Australian Open last January and that is making it hard for me to shake the belief that Nadal will prove too strong.

However, Djokovic is probably the best fighter on the Tour when things are going against him and he should really have beaten Nadal at the French Open earlier this season, but that loss coupled with the one in Montreal means the Spaniard has begun to get the better of this rivalry again.

The extra aggression that Nadal has shown, plus the protection of his own serve being stronger in the tournament means I have a feeling he will prove too good for Djokovic and win his second Grand Slam since returning to the Tour in February.

If Djokovic's backhand is working, it could be another close match between these two, but that shot has not been at its best in the tournament so far and unless there is a marked improvement in this one then it is hard to see the Serb come through. I hope we see another good Final between the two, but I believe it will be decided in four sets in favour of Rafael Nadal.


MY PICK: Rafael Nadal - 2.5 Games @ 2.14 Pinnacle (2 Units)

US Open Update: 29-39, - 11.22 Units (114 Units Staked, - 9.84% Yield)

Wimbledon Day 13 Picks 2013- Men's Final (July 7th)

After a couple of weeks full of surprises and some fabulous tennis, no more so than the Semi Final between Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro, this is the Men's Final that everyone would have wanted to see.

Britain's Andy Murray will get his second crack at winning the Wimbledon title that has eluded British Men for over 75 years, but he faces the World Number 1 Novak Djokovic in what looks a cracking match.

Unlike the Woman's Final, both of these players are very secure in their game and are used to playing the biggest matches so it would be more than a surprise if the match is decided because one of them are too nervous to perform as Sabine Lisicki was.

These two players will know each other very well as they have played one another since they were kids and have already had 18 professional matches against one another. Surprisingly, as the top two players in the World Rankings, these two players have only met once this season when Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray in four sets at the Australian Open.

Andy Murray will have his supporters as he has won two tournaments in a row on the grass going back to last year and will know more about the pressure having played in a Wimbledon Final last year and also having won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last September, beating this same opponent in five sets.

However, I was adamant that Murray received the benefit of playing his Semi Final first at Flushing Meadows, which has proven to be a difference maker in the Final there over the last few years. Novak Djokovic is 3-0 in Grand Slam matches against Murray outside of that Final at the US Open, although all of those matches have been played at the Australian Open.

I know Murray beat Djokovic at the Olympic Games in a best of three match on the grass courts last summer, but like a lot of their matches, it was much closer than the straight sets victory for Murray would indicate.


At the start of the tournament, I picked Novak Djokovic to win this tournament and I won't change my mind now. He has looked like a man that has wanted to right what he felt was the wrong of failing to win the French Open and I just have a little more faith in his game at the crunch times compared with Andy Murray's. The second serve is the key shot for both of these players and I expect Djokovic to secure more points on his own than Murray will when it comes to his second serve and that could prove to be the difference on the day.

Both players will have their time dominating the match and the mental fatigue could be a factor as the hours tick on, but I like Djokovic on that level too so will stick with my pre-tournament pick in this one.


The match should be closely contested, but the first pick I will make from this one is Novak Djokovic to win 3-1 in sets. I can see the first two sets being really close and split between the players, but Djokovic has shown the ability to move away from Murray in big matches and that could be the case again.

The last four matches between these players has seen both men win at least one set and I would be surprised if either is to win this one in straight sets. I just have a little more belief in the mental ability of Djokovic to overcome the moments of crisis and come through in four sets.


I also think it could be worth backing Andy Murray over 2.5 double faults- while Murray has got a very high percentage of first serves in during his last two matches, he might be forced to go for a bit more against one of the best returners of all time in the Men's game. There is little doubt that Murray's second serve is one of the weakest shots in his game and if he is forced to push on those, which could happen if Djokovic starts getting a read on that ball, then there is every chance Murray would hand over a few cheap points.

Murray has had 13 double faults in the last four matches against Djokovic and we have seen him drop sets twice in his last two matches with a double fault against far less effective returners than the World Number 1 and the pressure that he can apply.


MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic Win 3-1 @ 4.33 Bet 365 (1 Unit)
Andy Murray Over 2.5 Double Faults @ 1.83 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Wimbledon Update: 22-15, + 16.02 Units (70 Units Staked, + 22.89% Yield)

Australian Open Men's Final Pick 2013 (January 27th)

The last match of the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament involves who I consider to be the two best players in the World at the moment.

It should be a fascinating match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, two players who know each other's game inside out and both have a chance of making history. Novak Djokovic will become the first male player to win 3 in a row in Australia if he wins, while Andy Murray can become the first player to win his first 2 Grand Slam titles back to back.

I don't believe fatigue is a real factor in the contest as both players have had some time off since their Semi Final and this isn't the scheduling problem that the US Open encounters over the years when they try and play the Men's Semi Finals on the Saturday and then the Final on the Sunday- clearly that is unfair to the winner of the second Semi Final, especially if they are involved in a long match, but I don't believe that factors in here.


Novak Djokovic win 3-1 v Andy Murray: I think both of these players are capable of winning this tournament, but I liked Novak Djokovic at the start of the tournament and there hasn't been a lot to make me think that won't be the case on Sunday.

Both players will likely have a fair bit of success when the other is serving, but I just believe the Serb is mentally tougher than his opponent and that may end up being the difference between the players.

I can't imagine either being whitewashed and there is probably a higher chance of seeing a deciding set than a 3-0 win for either player in my opinion. However, I just feel Djokovic is going to win the bigger points and come through in this one in four sets and so I'll have a small interest in him to do so.


MY PICK: Novak Djokovic win 3-1 @ 4.33 Boyle Sports (1 Unit)


Australian Open Update: 17-26, - 11.92 Units (78 Units Staked, - 15.3% Yield)

French Open Men's Final (June 10th)

It seems like the two week Grand Slam is going to end on a positive note after Maria Sharapova completed the win in the Women's tournament and it can get a lot better if Rafael Nadal can complete his seventh win at Roland Garros.

It won't be easy for Nadal as he comes up against Novak Djokovic for the fourth Grand Slam in a row having lost the previous three Slams to the World Number 1. However, none of those have come on the clay courts and Rafa has proven himself the king on this surface with some very impressive performances to reach this stage.

The Spaniard has also won two matches against Djokovic on the clay courts this season and I think he has found a little more aggression in his game to pressurise the Serb. He has found a way to deal with the backhand down the line that had been so effective for Djokovic in the 2011 season against Nadal, while I think he is also attacking the Djokovic serve with more success.

With the two wins I mentioned, Nadal has stopped a run of seven consecutive losses to Djokovic, with the previous three all coming in the Slam Finals and it is right that he is the favourite in this one. Therefore, I am going to leave my outright pick alone and hope it will send the profits soaring and make this a very profitable two weeks.


Tomorrow evening, I will recap the French Open tournament and complete the overall profit/loss for the season. I will then put up any outright picks from the up and coming tournaments on the grass courts that begin on Monday and any picks from the first matches that are to take place on June 11th.


FRENCH OPEN UPDATE: 22-23, + 3.36 Units (75 Units Staked)

Tennis Recap May 6-13 (Madrid)

It wasn't a great week in Madrid for tennis fans as too many players were not happy about being here and that meant that there were some poor performances and some really surprising results.

I don't think I can remember the last time that both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had exited a Masters event before the Semi Finals, and both players left with their future participation at the event very much in doubt.

I'll put down a few thoughts from the event below and also update the season profit and loss. I will then have a separate thread with the outright picks from the Rome Masters, which actually began earlier today, and daily pick threads will start from tomorrow...


Roger Federer has reached World Number 2: Over the last 6-8 months, Roger Federer has definitely got back to something like his best and I am not surprised in the slightest that he has overtaken Rafael Nadal in the Rankings and moved back to the World Number 2 position. For the first time in many years, Federer has made it no secret of his desire to return to the Number 1 position when this season began and he is well on the way to getting somewhere near that as Novak Djokovic has plenty more points to defend than the Swiss man.


A couple of months ago, I also made it a point to suggest the move back into the top 2 in the World Rankings may actually aid Federer's chances of winning another Grand Slam as he is could, depending on the draw of course, no longer need to beat BOTH  Rafael Nadal and Djokovic to do so. At the end of the day, in a gruelling Grand Slam event, it is those small differences that can make all the difference.


Now I am not sure when the French Open decides on their seeds but I do know that unlike Wimbledon, they are based solely on the Rankings a player has rather than looking at past results as Wimbledon does. My only question is whether the seedings are taken from Rankings in this week or the previous week?


Federer only reached the Third Round at the Rome Masters last season, so I expect he will likely further increase his lead over Nadal in the Number 3 position and perhaps close further on Djokovic as the Number 1...




Serena Williams may still not be the player to beat at Roland Garros: I have tremendous respect for Serena Williams who I regularly describe as the best player in the World, but I am not jumping on the bandwagon just yet that she is the favourite to win at Roland Garros.


The bottom line is she has struggled at that event throughout her career, only winning it once, and she regularly has to beat the fans as well as her opponent and that has never really sat well with her.


Williams did record a thumping win over Victoria Azarenka, the World Number 1 and the most in-form player in 2012, but the conditions in Madrid favour the American's game so much and are not replicated in Paris. The altitude makes the ball run faster, while the courts have always been quicker than other clay courts so I think it is too soon for people to label Williams as the favourite.


Next week the Tour moves to Rome and I will be interested to see how she performs there (although she may make my outright plan once I look at her draw).




Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic whinging: Normally I would say that the players are being bad losers in their criticisms of the courts in Madrid, but you can't really say too much when the organisers themselves admit that they are slippery and they have made mistakes in the way they have laid the surface.


The problem here seems to be that the courts have been laid too late, meaning there was nothing that could be done once the organisers realised that they were not as playable as they had been making out in the lead up to the event.


I would love to see more contrasts in the courts around the World rather than the way they are at the moment with similar speeds and little variation in the surfaces... However, I don't think the courts in Madrid came under that category, but rather were a little dangerous with players struggling with footing and turning.


With the top two players (in terms of Ranking coming into the event) essentially saying they will boycott this tournament in the future until they return to the red clay, I think Madrid's hand may well be forced for the 2013 event.




Weekly Update: 7-6, + 1.60 Units (26 Units Staked)


Season Update: + 34.08 Units (354 Units Staked, 9.63% yield)


Season 2011: + 82.02 Units

Australian Open Men's Final Live Updates

Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal Australian Open Final 2012


Novak Djokovic 1-0* Rafael Nadal
There was a slight chance for Rafael Nadal as he moved into a 15-30 lead on the Novak Djokovic serve, but the Serbian brings out some big groundstrokes to eventually hold to 30.

Novak Djokovic *1-1 Rafael Nadal
A very easy service game for Rafael Nadal, and it will be interesting how he can hold on to serve after struggling against Djokovic at the US Open (broken 12 times in 4 sets there).

It is a routine hold to love, with an ace to open the service game.

Novak Djokovic 2-1* Rafael Nadal
There is an error from Djokovic to open up his next service game, and then a wonderful shot from Nadal down the line to move into a 0-30 position.

A couple of big first serves draws the World Number 1 level, and then a great second serve moves Djokovic to game point.

Djokovic holds to 30 as the last 4 points are won within 2 shots or less.

Novak Djokovic *2-2 Rafael Nadal
Not sure if Nadal has a tactical plan to slice the ball back to the Djokovic backhand when the Serbian uses the shot down the line that has been so effective in recent meetings between the two? He has done it twice already, with success, in the opening exchanges.

Djokovic wins the first point on serve, but Nadal runs through the rest of the game with ease.

Novak Djokovic 2-3* Rafael Nadal
Djokovic wins his sixth point in a row on serve to move to 30-0, but a couple of strong Nadal returns brings the game to 30 all...

Best point of the match so far as Rafael Nadal brings up the first break point of the match as Nadal makes an exceptional return off a volley that eventually opens the court for him to pass- second serve but Nadal hits it WAY long.

There is definitely a more attacking element to the Nadal game so far and he earns another break point- the Serbian misses an easy put away with his patented backhand down the line and Nadal has the first break of the Final.

Novak Djokovic *2-4 Rafael Nadal
Djokovic was furious with himself at the end of the last game and it will be interesting to see what kind of reaction he has to that outward show of emotion.

A couple of longer rallies are both ended by Djokovic, one with an error and one with a pass and it's 30 all. An unfortunate net cord later and Djokovic has his first break point of the Final.

That is saved beautifully by Nadal with a nice first serve and a searing forehand down the line, a perfect one-two combination.

I am 100% convinced that Nadal is using the sliced backhand back to the Djokovic backhand to negate that shot down the line that helped the World Number 1 to 6 straight victories over the Spaniard. Far too many errors from Djokovic at the moment, and it does look like the longer rallies are being ended by him more often than not, with a winner or an error.

A couple of great returns from Djokovic extends the game and earns another break point- he gets to see another second serve, but makes an enormous error to pull the game back to deuce.

Longest game of the match so far as it keeps going back and forth and this looks like it could be the one to determine the set. Nadal has his third chance to put the game to bed, but another superbly constructed point from Djokovic to keep the game going a little longer.

A lot of respect for Nadal's serving at the moment, but he doesn't want to drop the first serve % down in this match. The Spaniard takes the game on his 4th game point.

Novak Djokovic 3-4* Rafael Nadal
Djokovic looks a little tetchy at the moment, a little frustrated... Some very strong match play from him in this game though and he also seems to be hitting the ball a little harder- it's a straight-forward hold of serve to 15.

Novak Djokovic *4-4 Rafael Nadal
This set is still within Djokovic's grasp despite being a break down- he wins the first point on the Nadal serve.

I have been impressed with the way Nadal has started this match, but I still have the feeling that the match is resting on Djokovic's racquet at the moment.

This is a big point as the game is sitting at 30 all- another disappointing return from Djokovic on a second serve as he fails to get it back in play.

After the start Nadal has made, he is struggling to really get a grip in the rallies that Djokovic is beginning to dictate more and more often... the end of another longer rally earns the Serbian a break point.

A lot of credit has to be given to Nadal for another big serve under pressure to give himself the upper hand and save that opportunity... The reprieve doesn't last long as another break point comes up- once again Nadal finds the effective lefty slider into the advantage court.

It definitely feels that Djokovic is the steadier of the two players when the rallies develop on an equal footing and he has a third break point... Another Nadal error this time and Djokovic is back on serve.

Novak Djokovic 5-4* Rafael Nadal
Now the World's best player has to back up that game... An error to start the game is not the best way to begin, before Nadal finally gets back to the form he displayed earlier in the set to move to 0-30.

Djokovic can kiss the top of the net cord that saves him from falling into a triple break point hole, Nadal VERY unfortunate there.

I have to give the Serb a lot of credit as he wins a couple of good points, taking advantage of the luck he was given in the third point of the game and winning the game to 30.

Novak Djokovic *5-5 Rafael Nadal
It has felt to me that there has been a shift of momentum since the 6th game of the match, even though Nadal won that game... Maybe it has something to do with Djokovic changing his shirt from Clark Kent to Superman?

This is an absolutely massive service game for Nadal, especially for his belief in terms of the match as he has thrown a fair bit at Djokovic in this set only to lose it would crush any belief may have.

Very impressive stuff from the Spaniard to open the game, but Djokovic almost rallies all the way back to deuce before Nadal puts away an impressive cross court forehand, one he has become famous for over his career.

Novak Djokovic 5-6* Rafael Nadal
At this stage of a tight set, a crucial set such as this is, the pressure shifts on to the other player after that hold from Nadal... The World Number 2 wins the opening point to up the ante too.

I might be wrong, but my feeling is that Djokovic is the better player here as he wins a couple of points to move ahead... He seems a little more assured in how he is playing, with Nadal perhaps questioning what he wants to do in points?

Huge point coming in terms of the set at 30 all, 5 all... Nadal doesn't question himself there with a huge forehand down the line to earn a break point- a huge miss from Djokovic off his backhand wing and Nadal will be serving for the set.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, *0-0 Rafael Nadal
This is probably a bigger set for Nadal than it is for Djokovic, but that doesn't mean the Serbian will hand it to him on a plate. I just think Nadal NEEDS to show himself that he can win this match, and he can only do it by securing a set he started off so brightly and one that he has had the advantage in twice already.

A beautiful point from Nadal and he brings up two set points- one of those is saved by Djokovic hammering a second serve for a straight winner.

Not sure I agree with the television directors making a couple of spectators look like dicks reading a paper just before the second set point? Anyway, Djokovic forces an error from Nadal and brings the game to deuce.

A ball just goes wide for Djokovic during a rally and that means a third set point for Rafa... The body serve does the damage again and that is the FIRST SET in the bag for the World Number 2.


Novak Djokovic 5-7, 1-0* Rafael Nadal
It's an important game for Djokovic just to settle the match down and he does manage to hold. A special shot on the second point of the game, but a slight lull from the end of the first set as he takes the game to 30... The calm before the storm I am sure in this set.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, *1-1 Rafael Nadal
Hmmmm a slightly tight looking second serve from Rafa to start the game catches the net cord on the way through... No respite as he throws in a double fault to open the game.

At 0-30, Nadal has another second serve that looks really slow, slow enough to catch Djokovic out that he cannot get it back in play... That is something the Serbian needs to take advantage of if he wants to get back into this one.

Well, well, well, the forehand down the line that has done a lot already for Nadal goes wide this time and there are two break points for Djokovic- Nadal saves the first despite having to go to a second serve and there are the first loud mutterings from Djokovic.

What defence from Nadal which is quickly turned into offense from the Spaniard and he has saved both break points.

Very impressive from Nadal after going 15-40 and we remain on serve.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 2-1* Rafael Nadal
It hasn't been a match of great great quality, but a lot of intrigue at the moment. The first point of this game is one of the better points we have seen, won by Djokovic with the backhand down the line after a mini-exchange at the net.

A lot of credit to Nadal as that forehand down the line has been imperious for much of this contest, once again doing the damage to bring the game to 30-15.

Great defence from Djokovic to earn the game, as the set is beginning to warm up.

Not sure I agree that the last Grand Slam winner is considered the best player in the World in the locker room- still think Djokovic will be considered in that position even if he loses, at least until Nadal beats him a second time in succession.

The reason for that is that there are the intangibles of Djokovic maybe feeling a little under the weather or fatigued, so players will want to see more before ruling him out as the best player because he lost in one Grand Slam Final after winning 3 of 4 last year, including the two before this one.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, *3-1 Rafael Nadal
The tennis is definitely picking up in terms of quality now as the first two points are both impressive and shared between the players.

If the first two were good solid points, the third is VERY impressive from Nadal as he hits a scorching backhand winner when in an unenviable position.

Another potentially big moment on the Nadal serve as the game goes back to 30 all... An error from Nadal brought it back to that score and another leads to a break point.

It's a second serve, and this time Djokovic earns the point with a truly wonderful, if a little lucky, volley after approaching the Nadal backhand.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 4-1* Rafael Nadal
Nadal has definitely had a slight let down after winning the first set, even if his level of tennis is still pretty high... He has made some bad errors along with his stunning winners and given Djokovic too many opportunities to get himself involved in the match.

A big forehand error gave Nadal the first point of this game, while another crunching backhand wins the Spaniard the fourth point to leave it 30 all.

Wow, another stunning shot as the match is improving greatly- this time it is the Djokovic forehand to give him a chance to consolidate his break... He does so after forcing an error behind the backhand down the line.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, *4-2 Rafael Nadal
You have to have so much respect for the athletic ability of these players as some of the rallies have been exhausting to watch, let alone actually take part. There has been a slight adjustment by Djokovic on the return of serve as he has cottoned on to the fact that Nadal is trying to keep the second serve into the body for the most part.

Hmmm, Djokovic misses a slight chance to really increase the pressure when missing a volley at 15 all that he should have made... That leads to the first easy service game in this set for Nadal.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 5-2* Rafael Nadal
Gruelling rally to open this service game and it is won by Nadal as Djokovic just puts a backhand outside of the line.

A couple of bad mistakes from Nadal making life a little easier for Djokovic on serve, and then a cheeky shot at the net to hold serve.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, *5-3 Rafael Nadal
Important for Nadal to come out and hold serve, forcing Djokovic to serve out the set... Think it is also important that he gets to serve first in the third set, if Djokovic does serve this one out, and perhaps put a different kind of pressure on the World Number 1.

The eyeball test says that Djokovic is the better player so far, probably since the opening exchanges of the first set... It just seems he is more secure in what he wants to do in every point, with Nadal mixing the sublime with the ridiculous.

And there is one of the rare occasions where a server challenges the fact that his serve had gone in because he was hit with a stunning return winner. Djokovic was a little upset because he thought it meant a replay of the point even if the ball was in, but that is not the case...

We have had a couple of deuce points now as Djokovic looks to press home his advantage... Now he has a chance as he earns his first set point- a lot of respect for Nadal who saves it brilliantly.

He goes on to win the next two points and holds the serve.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 5-4* Rafael Nadal
When you are serving for the set, there is a different pressure on a player, but you wouldn't guess it from the way Djokovic won the first point of the game.

It is the backhand down the line that does all the damage really and Djokovic earns a couple of set points to level the match... Nadal saves both of those, one with a Djokovic error, but the second with some really solid shot-making. Now the pressure increases on the Serbian.

Wow, Nadal has a huge mental lapse when playing a drop shot that should have been put away... But it isn't and it's a break point for the Spaniard out of nowhere.

And a double fault from Djokovic means two set points have come and gone and we are back on serve. How much will he regret that miss on the easy pass at deuce?

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, *0-0
This is huge for Nadal now as he hasn't really had too many easy service games since the beginning of the match. The Spaniard needs to get plenty of first serves in, and really push home the shift of momentum that could have come from that break in the last game.

A tired looking backhand into the net from Djokovic, but that could be down to the disappointment of losing the last game... He follows it by crunching a second serve to move the game to 15 all.

There is a slight chance for Djokovic now at 30 all... This is a huge point- it is won by Nadal with yet another body serve, but it is the first serves that are helping him out of a tight hole.

Deuce at a crucial juncture of this match... You can feel the tension and the crowd are well aware of the significance of this point.

BIG error from Nadal as he approaches the net by attacking the Djokovic backhand, and he is duly passed for another set point- Djokovic is gifted the set with a double fault and that is ONE SET ALL...

Nadal was really struggling on his own serve, and he has been for a while with no easy holds being given to him by the Serbian... The Spaniard has not been able to consistently punch through Djokovic and I think the World Number 1 is showing why he is in that position as he has looked a little better in most aspects of the game.

There is more consistency in the Djokovic game, and more highs and lows from Nadal, and that means the momentum is surely with the Serbian... We will see in an hour whether I am right.


Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 1-0* Rafael Nadal
The feeling for me is that Nadal is having a fight on his hands mentally in this match at this moment, making a few strange decisions... He tries another drop shot in this game with no success, and Djokovic runs away with a hold to love.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, *1-1 Rafael Nadal
Nadal just taking his time now on service games, but he could really do with a couple of easy(ish) service holds to open up this third set. He was under pressure for 4 out of 5 service games in set 2 and that pressure led to the double fault that cost him the set.

A couple of decent serves and a Djokovic error gives Nadal a bit of breathing room this time as he has a couple of game points to hold.

That clearly doesn't mean anything as Djokovic is 100% reading the Nadal serve now and returning it with interest as he ups the pressure again at deuce.

The World Number 1 is playing some absolutely brilliant tennis now as he will not let Nadal out of this game... Even if he doesn't break in this game, this could be setting a mental trap for Nadal later on in the set and match, especially as he is serving second again in this set.

It took 5 game points, but Nadal has kept hold of his serve.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 2-1* Rafael Nadal
That backhand shot down the line from Djokovic, the shot that I thought makes all the difference for the Serb in his head to heads with Nadal, is just beginning to fire with a little more consistency now.

If there is one thing you know you will get from Nadal, it is the fact that he will give it all in EVERY point... He is holding on to Djokovic here and gets to 30 all on the Serbian's serve.

It's not enough though as another really bad error off the backhand releases some of the pressure on Djokovic and he holds to remain on serve early in set 3.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, *3-1 Rafael Nadal
At the moment, Nadal has to keep on the coat-tails of Djokovic who is clearly playing the better tennis... That can change if he stays close and the pressure builds towards the end of the set.

This game is another that is developing into a tough service hold as we get to 30 all again... Nadal is just not getting enough cheap points off his own serve, being forced to dig deep on each point.

A couple of terrible line calls have gone against Djokovic in the last 20 minutes, it has not been a good tournament for the line judges and umpires in all honesty, too many silly mistakes.

Djokovic is furious, but gets his mind together to earn a break point and a chance to really grab this match by the scruff of the neck- what a tough, tough point from both men, but it is Djokovic who forces Nadal to blink first and he takes a strong position in the set.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 4-1* Rafael Nadal
Unsurprisingly, Djokovic has shortened massively in the markets to win this match now... He wins the first three points in this service game with Nadal unable to return the ball into play.

Easy hold to love as Djokovic hits the ball 5 times in that game.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, *4-2 Rafael Nadal
Djokovic just has all the answers to the Nadal game at the moment and it is tough to see how the Spaniard will reverse this momentum that has built up in the last hour and a half.

The Serb earns a break point, but that is saved thanks to a big serve from Nadal... It is imperative he holds and see if Djokovic gets tight as the set closes in.

Nadal does hold thanks to a couple of Djokovic errors.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 5-2* Rafael Nadal
It's just far too easy on serve for Djokovic at the moment, winning points on serve without having to do a lot, while Nadal is pressed for everything he wins on his own serve.

Another hold to love for the best player in the World.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, *0-0 Rafael Nadal
Has Djokovic learned from set 2 and wants to take this game and not have to serve out the set? He wins the first point as Nadal is getting a little more frustrated and annoyed.

More errors from Nadal leaves Djokovic needing two more points to secure the second set... Another backhand error from the Spaniard brings up three set points.

Djokovic doesn't need too many more opportunities and WINS THE THIRD SET with a stunning forehand winner.

Djokovic dominated that second set and looks to have broken the Nadal spirit with the World Number 2 looking annoyed, frustrated and a little lost on the court at the moment. The Serb has looked better in almost every aspect of this game, including movement, and it is going to be tough for Nadal to recover as he will be playing catch up again in this set.


Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 1-0* Rafael Nadal
It is so funny seeing someone do to Nadal what Nadal has done to so many people in the past... I feel a little sorry for the guy, but this is how he makes Roger Federer feel when they play one another.

Djokovic continues earning enough cheap points in his service games, the best way to relieve any pressure and tension in an arm and that has been a big difference in the match between the players.

That doesn't mean Nadal is allowing Djokovic an easy time in this game though as he pulls it back to deuce... Big miss on the forehand side from Nadal, a shot he had been making regularly and effectively earlier in the match, but he still stays in the game.

Nadal is putting in a huge effort to stay with Djokovic, a real testament to his character here... He has been really outclassed in the last hour and a half of this match, but he keeps working hard and trying to force a change in momentum.

Not to be this time for the Spaniard, and a massive service game coming up for him next.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, *1-1 Rafael Nadal
It's a great backhand shot to win the opening point for Nadal, but how often can you do that? He is working so hard and has to play shots like that to win points on his own service games, while Djokovic is picking up errors and making unreturnable serves in his own.

The game goes back to 30 all as Nadal tries to replicate the shot that wins him the first point in this game, only to go long... This could be a vital game for Nadal to hold as we to get to deuce- the reason for that is that there is rumours of rain in the air and that could stop the Djokovic momentum that he has picked up so far.

A 6 minute game, but Nadal shows a lot of guts to hold serve.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 2-1* Rafael Nadal
We get a couple more demonstrations to the 'cheap' points that Djokovic is able to pick up on serve that Nadal isn't- he gets a short ball for the first point, hits two aces, and then Nadal hits the serve straight out for the error.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, *2-2 Rafael Nadal
Everything Nadal tries, Djokovic is seemingly able to counter, including a defensive lob that lands on the line at the back of the court to move the game forward to 15 all.

Lots of credit to the Spanish player as he wins 3 points in a row to level the set.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 3-2* Rafael Nadal
Nadal has done the first thing he needed to by staying in the set early by holding a couple of service games. He now wins the first point on the Djokovic serve with an impressive forehand that lands on the back of the line.

The World Number 2 is pumped as he wins the point with a great forehand across the court, and is now in a decent position to pressure Djokovic... Credit to the level of play both have shown at different times under pressure though as the Serb levels the game at 30 all... Big point this one for Nadal.

The serve has been one of the crucial differences and it earns Djokovic another cheap point before he holds to 30.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, *3-3 Rafael Nadal
It is on these occasions that Champions can show the reason why they are what they are... The pressure is on Nadal to keep holding serve, but he hasn't won 11 Grand Slam titles before without dealing with this. A solid opening serve is much appreciated I'm sure.

He doesn't want to give too many points away as a double fault brings it back to 30-15... And now the pressure has increased ten-fold with a Nadal error leaving him a perilous position at 30 all.

Lovely stuff from Nadal to survive that game from a tough position and we remain on serve.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 4-3* Rafael Nadal
A bit of a mental lapse from Djokovic perhaps as he opens the game with a drop shot into the net when in control of the point.

The pressure must really be immense on both players as we close in on the latter part of this set, but Djokovic showing what has taken him to 3 of the last 4 Grand Slams by winning the next two points to the frustration of Nadal who continues to make too many basic errors.

Silly mistakes really from Nadal at this stage of the match and I think his return of serve has really let him down. Still on serve, but one break of serve could end this match now for Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, *4-4 Rafael Nadal
Nadal comes out now and I am wondering if they will sit down again in this match for a change of ends? First serves are crucial I feel if Nadal wants to stay in this match.

Great start from Djokovic with a backhand that hits the outside of the line to win the first point of the game.

Nadal has served two first serves to open up this game, but he has lost both and it's a very pressure filled moment for the Spaniard now at 0-30.

Crunching winner from Djokovic on his forehand and it's three break points for a chance to serve for the Championship... The first of those are saved behind some thumping Nadal forehands, but that is tough to do for another couple of points in all honesty.

Big first serve which is not returned and we are down to the final break point at this moment... What a shot off the backhand and Nadal has SAVED all three break points... AND THE RAIN HAS COME!!

What a time for the rain to come down, and now Nadal serves an ace to move to game point... What a Champion Nadal is, and what guts and bravery has he shown.

He gets out of the game with 5 unbelievable points, I bow down to Rafa Nadal... And it looks like we are going to have a 20 minute break for the rain delay until the roof is closed.

How much momentum will that take out of Djokovic?

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-4* Rafael Nadal
This is a huge game for Djokovic after what happened before the rain delay... He must feel this should have been the last game of the match, but has to focus else he may have another couple of hours to go.

Very smart match play from the Serb and he wins the first two points behind the serve... An error from Nadal gives him 3 game points and he then holds to love with maybe the shot of the match as he hits a forehand winner from outside the tramlines.

Tremendous temperament from the World Number 1 and now the pressure is truly on Nadal.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, *5-5 Rafael Nadal
Nadal just cannot afford to come out and make mistakes as the pressure is going to be extremely taxing after the emotional highs of a couple of games ago.

Unfortunately, he goes long with the first point of the game, but shows more of the famous belief by toughing out the next to take us to 15 all.

Hmmm a couple of bad errors on Djokovic's part now and Nadal can level the match with two game points.

What defence from Nadal again and this set is still alive.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-5* Rafael Nadal
Now how does Djokovic respond to this mini-revival from Nadal who is playing better than he has for most of the last couple of hours?

It's getting tense, you can tell that both players are beginning to feel the fact they have been out there for over 4 hours already... Djokovic faces a huge moment, perhaps for the whole match, as we get to 30 all, 5 all...

Eye of the needle stuff from Djokovic to move to game point... My respect for these players has gone up a couple of notches today, especially in the big moment changing points, particularly for Novak Djokovic.

Another hold of serve, and once again the pressure is on Nadal to hold serve and force a tie-break in this fourth set.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-6 Rafael Nadal
Nadal has found a new lease of life and belief since going 0-40 down in game 8 of this set, and he starts off by winning the first point in this service game.

This is probably the best tennis Nadal has produced on a consistent basis since the start of the match and he is two points from a tie-break situation.

Brilliant serving from Nadal, truly brilliant under the pressure he must have been feeling and it is tie-break time.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7) Rafael Nadal
They say 75% of tie-breaks are won by the person who wins the first point... Djokovic earns that point with an unreturned serve.

Point 2 is magnificent as Nadal hits a ball right on the baseline and then buries Djokovic with a huge forehand that effectively won him the point as he puts a simple volley away.

Best serving of the match from Nadal in the last 20 minutes or so and he wins an easy enough point to move ahead 2-1 in this breaker.

That was an absolutely big chance for Nadal to win the point, but he has gone long with a backhand... That has to be considered a real chance, tie break is tied at 2-2.

Tight forehand from Djokovic on the next point at the first mini-break goes to Nadal who leads 3-2 with two serves to come.

Oh no... Bad net cord for Nadal there which sees the ball fly out and it's 3-3 at the change over.

Has Djokovic won that point? We get to a challenge and Nadal has just put the ball wide of the line and it's Djokovic who now leads 4-3 with two serves to come... Big, pressure filled moments.

This is why these two are the best players in the World right now- great defence from Nadal for so long, only for Djokovic to slap a winner off his forehand right on to the line... Great stuff, 5-3 World Number 1.

Oh my goodness, Djokovic has just hit the ball wide of the line when in control of the rally and we are at 5-4*, with now Nadal having to serve twice... How big is this set for Djokovic now?

Unbelievable defence from Rafa again, but Djokovic should not be missing that ball from there... Still not sure how Nadal managed to get the ball over the net though if I am honest, 5-5.

Biggest point now, set point, or match point... Big first serve, set point Nadal, 6-5.

That is tremendous stuff from Nadal, I have absolutely no idea how he has won that set from the positions he has been in... Djokovic hits the ball wide, again, of the sidelines and we are level at TWO SETS ALL


How much can Djokovic have left in the tank after blowing 3 break points in a row during the middle of the set and then losing 4 straight in the tie-breaker to drop from 5-3 to 5-7... This will show the heart of a Champion now.

Great from Nadal who has had a Lazarus style comeback when seemingly well out of the match and coming back out of nowhere. He finished that set playing the best tennis he has all day.


Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, *0-1 Rafael Nadal
It's a shift in pressure too as Nadal will get to serve first in this final set... Personally I think he has all the momentum and it is his tournament to lose.

Some more great shot-making and Nadal holds to 30 in that one.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 1-1* Rafael Nadal
It's a fairly routine hold for Novak Djokovic as he quickly moved 40-0 up and eventually holds to 15... It has gone a little quiet at the moment after all the excitement of set 4.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, *1-2 Rafael Nadal
How many bad line calls have gone against Djokovic today? He has yet another one off a solid return and is rightly unhappy.

Tennis is a funny sport- around an hour ago, Nadal was finding it almost impossible to win easy service points and games... He has been serving massively straight through the tie-break and opening up the first couple of service games in set 5.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 2-2* Rafael Nadal
This is a dangerous time for Djokovic as it is him who now needs to hold on to the coat-tails of a Nadal playing as well as he has in this entire tournament.

Those danger levels have just gone up another level as Djokovic falls into a 15-30 hole... Next point is absolutely huge, so Djokovic decides to throw in an ace, 30 all.

Another real chance for Nadal to make a pass and force Djokovic to come out with a volley, but he fails to make it. And Djokovic gets the hold.. What a tennis match.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, *2-3 Rafael Nadal
The World Number 1 should be sitting in the changing rooms with another trophy in his cabinet having finished this match around 40 minutes ago and he looks extremely tired now.

A tired backhand allows Nadal to move up to 30-0, and he goes on to hold to love with little to no problems. We have seen Djokovic come back from the dead before, but this looks really tough for him here.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 2-4* Rafael Nadal
It's getting to that point where holding serve becomes more and more difficult when you are serving second. This will tell us a lot about the state of mind that Djokovic has now.

The errors are coming off the Djokovic racquet now, but he continues to show tremendous heart and moves into a 30-15 lead.

Big pressure now though as another error gives Nadal a slight chance to put his foot on the throat at 30 all.

Another error and this could the match right here as Nadal has a break point- he takes it thanks to another error from the World Number 1 and I think this is just about it for the Serb in a match he really should have won.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, *3-4 Rafael Nadal
It really is the best tennis Nadal has played all tournament as he has cut out his unforced errors and started to hit more winners.. There is still some fight left in Djokovic as he pulls the game back to 15 all, but it does feel he has been ground into submission here.

It looks like the game is going to Nadal with a bit of space, but he has somehow put a ball wide from a position I think I could have put it away and it's 30 all.

And out of absolutely nowhere, Djokovic earns a break point... That miss is looking even more silly now!! And Djokovic does break back, I cannot believe this match, some ridiculous turns of momentum when it looked like the World Number 1 was finished.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 4-4* Rafael Nadal
The question is how much did Djokovic expend, energy wise, in getting back into this? His body language is languid and he looks completely out of it, but he is summoning some unbelievable levels out of himself.

You can totally see why he is the World Number 1 player, both players have been amazing and showed real resilience in this match and there have been some massive momentum shifts.

Djokovic lost the first point on serve, but has fought back and moved into a 40-15 lead... Absolute epic of a match, and some real credit to Djokovic just days after another long match with Andy Murray.

The World Number 1 holds and now the pressure is on Nadal after it looked like he was going to cruise in this set.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, *4-5 Rafael Nadal
Djokovic collapses in a heap after a ridiculous point in the opening point of this game... Have these guys really been out there for over 5 hours? I cannot believe this, I really cannot!!

That first point took a lot out of Djokovic, but he is once again undone by a terrible line call, that must be the 5th or 6th time that has happened to him now... What are the line judges doing?

Well well, Nadal makes a couple of bad errors there and all of a sudden, after looking out on his feet, Djokovic is back to 30 all.

Unbelievable stuff from Djokovic, he wants this and forces the game to deuce... This is his moment I feel, I don't think I like his chances of having to serve to stay in the match if he fails to break here.

And just as I finish typing that, it is indeed a break point for the Serbian- big serve, big heart and big belief as Rafa saves that point.

Nadal gets his chance to get out of the game and a Djokovic error allows him to do so... Now how is your tension Djokovic?

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 5-5* Rafael Nadal
I just don't know how much more I can say about Novak Djokovic... He is rightly the best player in the World and he is showing why he is in that position by finding this energy from within.

I would probably tell Serbia that he won't be ready to compete for his country in the Davis Cup in a couple of weeks time though, he will need a month to recover from this.

Superb tennis from the World Number 1 and he holds to 15... We are in the position now where we need a two game differential to separate the players, no tie break in this set.

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, *6-5 Rafael Nadal
I am left shaking my head as Nadal somehow hooks a forehand down the line to win the first point... Great tennis.

He tries something similar on the next point, but is not so accurate and it's 15 all.

It's 15-30, and Djokovic has a real chance to do something as he reads the Nadal approach as he comes to the net... But the lob is wide and it's 30 all.

WOW... Djokovic had won that point about 4 times but Nadal keeps retrieving and scrambling, but he can't do much more and it's break point, a huge moment now.

Big mistake from Djokovic in trying to return the second serve, bad footwork really and Nadal has the easy put away... Back to deuce...

Not to matter now though as he has another chance with a second break point- it sounds like someone shouted out on the shot and put Nadal off... Djokovic will not care as he earns the break and now will get a chance to serve for the Championship!!

Novak Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5
What kind of physical shape must you be in to perform the way these two are? Imagine how long it would take on a clay court if they meet at Roland Garros?

After winning a gruelling first point, Djokovic moves up 30-0 and is two points from the Championship...

Oh my goodness- Nadal shows incredible defence but Djokovic puts a smash into the bottom of the net. Think he should have let that bounce and played another shot, but now it's 30 all.

Seriously, I am going to fall out of my seat here- how in all the World did Nadal survive that point and then create a break point? Superbly saved from Djokovic and he remains just two points from the title. GREAT TENNIS all round!!

It's another unfortunate net cord, but here we go... Championship Point for Novak Djokovic.

And there it is... Congratulations to Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open 2012 Champion


The man deserved to win that Final, but I have to say I want to give Rafael Nadal all the praise in the World for making this as good a contest as it was.


Djokovic should have won almost 90 minutes ago, but congratulations to him... I'll be back for an Australian Open Recap later this evening, I need a beer now... Thanks for reading