Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal at the Olympic Games in their 60th career meeting on Monday.
It was less magnificent a match than many would have hoped with a small Rafael Nadal fight back unable to really put a finger on Novak Djokovic.
The Serb marched to a 5-1 lead in the first set before reeling off another five straight games to leap into a 4-0 lead in the second.
While Nadal fought back to level the scores, Djokovic regained his composure to close it out and likely put a firm full stop on the Spaniard’s singles career.
Djokovic is hoping to finally achieve an Olympic gold, with glory at the games having so far eluded him.
With Djokovic fans furious with Nadal’s comments before the game, they will likely feel somewhat vindicated after their man cruised into the next round.
What did Novak Djokovic think of Rafael Nadal’s match performance?
With the pair unlikely to ever meet again on the ATP Tour, Djokovic will leave with the bragging rights as he extends his head-to-head lead to 31-29.
After the victory, Djokovic assessed the level of his rival, reflecting also on the enormity of the occasion.
He said during the Olympic tennis coverage on Discovery Plus: “I think we will eventually appreciate this match very much.
“For our rivalry but for the sport itself. Olympic Games as well, I think there is a lot of attention and interest from the sports auditorium towards our match today. Of course, it benefits all of us.
“It’s unfortunate for him that he wasn’t at his best, but I did everything I can to make him uncomfortable on the court.”
With Nadal’s clay court record against Djokovic far superior, the Spaniard simply looked second-best in virtually every category and will now focus on the doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
What does Novak Djokovic have to do to clinch Olympic glory?
Had the 24-time major winner seen off Alexander Zverev in the Tokyo semi-final, we may well have not seen him at this year’s games.
The Serb led by a set and a break but choked and left the court in tears, later losing the bronze medal match.
Djokovic’s woes on the Olympic stage have clearly frustrated him enormously, with his knee surgery in June only spurring him on to be fighting fit for Paris.
Ultimately, the Beijing bronze medalist will likely have to confront his recent foe Alcaraz if he is to win gold, with the Spaniard getting the better of him on the last two occasions.
Despite his difficult draw, Djokovic remains just four wins away from itching the scratch that has bothered him so intensely for too long.
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