The Artois Championships - Finala

Final Preview

By Barry Newcombe

Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic
Played-Nadal leads 8-3

The last final in the Artois Championships brings together the colossal talent which drives both Rafael Nadal of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Since 1979 these championships have provided a platform for most of the best grass court players and today continues the theme.

Go back through the years at the Artois and you will find names like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Michael Stich, Pete Sampras, and Lleyton Hewitt, all Wimbledon champions, on the list of winners and either Nadal or Djokovic has every right to join them. This final presents two players who are both humble and intensely ambitious at the same time. Neither of them would want to lose to the other today, or any time.

The greater significance of this match lies in the fact that neither player has won a grass court title and with Wimbledon a week away this is a marvelous opportunity to state a case on the surface, no matter what Roger Federer is doing elsewhere. Nadal plays here today one week after destroying Federer in the French Open final. "He is just so match sharp right now," observed Andy Roddick, the defending champion, who Nadal beat in the semi-finals yesterday.

Nadal makes a strong case for his cause after making his best transition yet from French clay to grass and says: "It's going to be a very tough final. I try my best for a win. But if I lose I go home very happy about my tournament here."

Djokovic has made the journey to this stage almost as convincingly. He started the year by winning the Australian Open, his first Grand Slam title. Along with Ana Ivanovic, champion of France, he has fuelled unprecedented interest in tennis in Serbia. Hitting form on grass simply adds to the speculation even if he did lose to Nadal in the French semi-final nine days ago.

He played Nadal at Wimbledon last year and retired in the semi-final, a piece of history which may matter no longer. Perhaps Nadal will punch his weight more today, perhaps Djokovic will use his astounding footwork to real effect. Either way, impact beckons in the last showdown for the Artois title and both players will do it justice.

Verdict-Rafael Nadal to win

Verdictul meu - Novak Djokovic câstigă