Rafael Nadal will face Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s China Open final. It will be the 45th meeting between the Serb and our champ and third of 2015.
Date: October 11, 2015
Time: 7.30 pm local time / 12.30 pm BST – United Kingdom / 1.30 pm CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 7.30 am EDT – New York, Montreal / 10.30 pm AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Watch online: Fromsport and ATDHE
Rafa on reaching the final in Beijing:
I’m happy to be in the final obviously. It’s a good result for me, very positive one. And tomorrow is a match to enjoy.
My goal is try to play the way that I want to play. I know this year Novak, as I say before, is a different league of my one. I’m going to fight tomorrow and we’ll see.
Rafa has played Nole 44 times before and leads the series 23-21, but the Serb has won six of the last seven matches. When the duo met in the 2013 Beijing final, it was Nole who won in straight sets.
- Rafa is looking for his fourth title of the season (3-1), the first on hard courts since Doha in January 2014 when he defeated Gael Monfils.
- Rafa is appearing in his third China Open final (1-1). He won the title in his debut in 2005 (d. Coria) and reached the final two years ago.
- Rafa is appearing in his 97th career ATP World Tour level final. He is 67-29 in finals (3-1 in ’15)
- Rafa will rise to No. 5 in the Emirates ATP Race to London with a win in the Beijing final (now he is at No. 6).
Here are the matches they have played against each other:
| YEAR | EVENT | RND | WINNER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
QF | Novak Djokovic
75 63 61
|
| 2015 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco Outdoor Clay |
SF | Novak Djokovic
63 63
|
| 2014 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
F | Rafael Nadal
36 75 62 64
|
| 2014 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy Outdoor Clay |
F | Novak Djokovic
46 63 63
|
| 2014 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
F | Novak Djokovic
63 63
|
| 2013 | Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Great Britain Indoor Hard |
F | Novak Djokovic
63 64
|
| 2013 | Beijing China Outdoor Hard |
F | Novak Djokovic
63 64
|
| 2013 | US Open NY, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
F | Rafael Nadal
62 36 64 61
|
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada Canada Outdoor Hard |
SF | Rafael Nadal
64 36 762
|
| 2013 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
SF | Rafael Nadal
64 36 61 673 97
|
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco Outdoor Clay |
F | Novak Djokovic
62 761
|
| 2012 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
F | Rafael Nadal
64 63 26 75
|
| 2012 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy Outdoor Clay |
F | Rafael Nadal
75 63
|
| 2012 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco Outdoor Clay |
F | Rafael Nadal
63 61
|
| 2012 | Australian Open Australia Outdoor Hard |
F | Novak Djokovic
57 64 62 675 75
|
| 2011 | US Open NY, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
F | Novak Djokovic
62 64 673 61
|
| 2011 | Wimbledon Great Britain Outdoor Grass |
F | Novak Djokovic
64 61 16 63
|
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy Outdoor Clay |
F | Novak Djokovic
64 64
|
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain Outdoor Clay |
F | Novak Djokovic
75 64
|
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
F | Novak Djokovic
46 63 764
|
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
F | Novak Djokovic
46 63 62
|
| 2010 | Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Great Britain Indoor Hard |
RR | Rafael Nadal
75 62
|
| 2010 | US Open NY, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
F | Rafael Nadal
64 57 64 62
|
| 2009 | Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Great Britain Indoor Hard |
RR | Novak Djokovic
765 63
|
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris France Indoor Hard |
SF | Novak Djokovic
62 63
|
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Cincinnati OH, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
SF | Novak Djokovic
61 64
|
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain Outdoor Clay |
SF | Rafael Nadal
36 765 769
|
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome Italy Outdoor Clay |
F | Rafael Nadal
762 62
|
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco Outdoor Clay |
F | Rafael Nadal
63 26 61
|
| 2009 | ESP vs. SRB WG 1st RD Spain |
RR | Rafael Nadal
64 64 61
|
| 2008 | Beijing Olympics China Outdoor Grass |
SF | Rafael Nadal
64 16 64
|
| 2008 | ATP Masters Series Cincinnati OH, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
SF | Novak Djokovic
61 75
|
| 2008 | London / Queen’s Club Great Britain Outdoor Grass |
F | Rafael Nadal
766 75
|
| 2008 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
SF | Rafael Nadal
64 62 763
|
| 2008 | ATP Masters Series Hamburg Germany Outdoor Clay |
SF | Rafael Nadal
75 26 62
|
| 2008 | ATP Masters Series Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
SF | Novak Djokovic
63 62
|
| 2007 | Tennis Masters Cup China Indoor Hard |
RR | Rafael Nadal
64 64
|
| 2007 | ATP Masters Series Canada Canada Outdoor Hard |
SF | Novak Djokovic
75 63
|
| 2007 | Wimbledon Great Britain Outdoor Grass |
SF | Rafael Nadal
36 61 41
RET
|
| 2007 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
SF | Rafael Nadal
75 64 62
|
| 2007 | ATP Masters Series Rome Italy Outdoor Clay |
QF | Rafael Nadal
62 63
|
| 2007 | ATP Masters Series Miami FL, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
QF | Novak Djokovic
63 64
|
| 2007 | ATP Masters Series Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. Outdoor Hard |
F | Rafael Nadal
62 75
|
| 2006 | Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay |
QF | Rafael Nadal
64 64
RET
|
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
VAMOS RAFA! Hoping your A game falls into place and you are the victor kissing the trophy.
Always a Rafa Fan
Prepare to come to the net and use good lobs rafa b’cause novak wont be engaging u in long rallies
He will try to use drop shots more often
Win or loose always with rafa
Vamos and bst luck
Rafa and all of your team and fans, you are steadily improving and with your attitude and determination will get get where you want to be again, so enjoyed your matches and to see the wins again is marvelous All the very best for tomorrow and if you win great and if you don’t then still great. Vamos
Worth setting the \alarm clock for 5,30 am to watch Rafael defeat Fabio Fognini. Rafael is calm and confident at crucial moments. He played some superb tennis in the second set. Wonderful to see him on the way back to the form he can produce. How the Chinese audience love him, All support for our special Rafael.
I am so excited for you. This has been a llong time coming (this year) . Enjoy every minute and I wish you the best. Do you think you have good juju in Beijing?
Remember this is where you earned a gold medal. Pretty Special
Rafa played a good tournament. Better than the weeks before. Novak is the best player at the moment but Rafa will come back to his best again and these matches will help him.
Enjoy the match. Play as always with heart and passion.
Rafa must be aggressive and the forhand down the line will be very important tomorrow.
Good luck and all the best. Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
Vamos Rafa tu puede ganarla tu juego es exitante, tranquilidad , Vamos Rafa a ganar
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) It is a great day & a fabulous time to relax & recharge!!!!! btw, I watched Replay of your last two China Open games……and enjoyed it all over again!!!!!! Inspirational!!!!!!! : ) : ) It is remarkable & exciting to see you moving forward with your solid powerful game!!!!! plus you are SO CUTE & HANDSOME !!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : )
Great job using your Challenge : ) …..keep doing that dear Rafa !!!!!! : ) VAMOS & congratulations for all your amazing fantastic wins!!!!! You have everything you need to put forth & to have a highly competitive advantage tomorrow!!!!! : ) ci….ci….ci….& ….CI…… Your connection & touch with the ball is stunning & your seasoned Tennis intelligence & instincts are priceless!!!!!! Much like any top player, Novak has pockets of vulnerability …..thankfully, you have the mind set that all is possible playing him….and you allow an opportunity to bring about an exciting competitive match & a strive for a win !!!!! : ) : ) VAMOS…….VAMOS…….VAMOS……. Each match is different and each match brings an opportunity to open the field again! With your solid and strong level of play you have all doors open to you!!!!!! It will be fun & for sure ” A match to enjoy ” as you wisely said in your interview. God bless you sweetheart & Enjoy EVERYTHING!!!!!! Have a great fantastic time!!!!! Enjoy lots & lots of fun playing each point with your beautiful forward stride , depth, and beautiful serve!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS & have a great day!!!!!! : )
Vamos Rafa.💖. Very very excited and happy for you. That is where you actually belong. Playing the finals.
All the hard work has paid off. One step at a time, you will again regain your form.
Will always be your die hard fan. Love to see that million dollar smile on your face.
Big God bless.
Going to church tomorrow, n will pray for you.
Vamos.
Rafa needs to slow the pace of the game & use his slice handed backhand to have any chance to defeat Novak tomorrow. Thats the winning strategy against Novak as per the analysis based on the past victories against him.