IT was anticipated to be one of the most epic clashes and it lived up to all expectations with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal taking it up to one another over a three and a half hour clash. Whilst both players were not willing to give an inch, in the end it was Djokovic who went 2-1 up against Nadal this year in ATP Tour tournaments.

The first set went more than an hour and a half which went all the way to a tiebreaker. Djokovic gained a mini-break early in the tiebreaker to go 4-2 up and it helped him get home in a 7-5 victory. By the time the second set ended, the match had ticked to just under three hours and this time it was the Spaniard who hit back.

Taking control of the game with his court coverage and backhand winners, Nadal won four consecutive points in the second set tiebreaker to go from 1-2 down to 5-2 up and then went on with it to win 7-3 and level up the match at a tiebreaker apiece. The deciding set was a quick one by comparison with the third stanza lasting just 45 minutes as the pair dominated their serve. It was not until the ninth game of the set until the Serbian star broke his nemesis.

It was enough to gain some separation and Djokovic took out the match 7-6 6-7 6-4 much to his own relief, making up for a disappointing loss last time out against Nadal. Beating the Spaniard is no easy task on clay, but Djokovic was able to do it and claim his 81st title of his career. Most importantly, the victory helps Djokovic gain some vital momentum ahead of Roland Garros in a fortnight.

FINAL RESULT:

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7-6 6-7 6-4