PICS : Battle on Red Dirt

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There is only one player who can aspire to break Nadal’s clay court domination, and that is Novak Djokovic. The Serb arrives at this point of the season in the best possible shape. He has completed the Indian Wells-Miami double for the second time in his career, as only Roger Federer before him had ever managed to do. More importantly, the Serb gave a tennis lesson to Rafael Nadal in the Sony Open final. What helped Novak achieve the plot in the final however, was his aggressive game, with the Serb closing many points at the net. To come to the net against Nadal on clay would be far more complicated, as the Spaniard will have the time to organize a passing shot, one of his stronger weapons. The last time that Novak looked so strong on court was back in 2011, and 3 years ago not even the red clay was able to stop him from dominating Nadal, as Novak managed to beat his Spanish rival in the final of Madrid and Rome. Only an extraordinary Roger Federer was able to stop the Serb in the semis of the French Open. Maybe if Novak was to win that match, tennis’ history would be have been changed.