Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in the Year End Championship (World Tour Finals) final, 2013 on indoor hard court in London England
Djokovic was the defending champion and would go onto win the next two editions to set a record of 4 titles in a row at the event. This was Nadal's 2nd and to date, last final at the event. Nadal was world number 1, Djokovic 2
Djokovic won 67 points, Nadal 52
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (38/58) 66%
- 1st serve points won (26/38) 68%
- 2nd serve points won (14/20) 70%
- Aces 6, Service Winners 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (15/58) 26%
Nadal....
- 1st serve percentage (45/61) 74%
- 1st serve points won (26/45) 58%
- 2nd serve points won (8/16) 50%
- Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 4
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (19/61) 31%
Serve Patterns
Djokovic served...
- to FH 47%
- to BH 53%
Nadal served...
- to FH 42%
- to BH 54%
- to Body 4%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 38 (17 FH, 21 BH)
- 17 Errors, comprising...
- 7 Unforced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 5 BH)
- Return Rate (38/57) 67%
Nadal made...
- 43 (24 FH, 19 BH), including 7 runaround FHs
- 1 Winner (1 FH)
- 6 Errors, all forced...
- 6 Forced (4 FH, 2 BH)
- Return Rate (43/58) 74%
Break Points
Djokovic 3/11 (6 games)
Nadal 1/3 (1 game)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Djokovic 12 (3 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 1 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 1 OH)
Nadal 7 (3 FH, 2 BH, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 1 dtl and 2 inside-out
- BHs - 2 cc and 2 dtl
- the OH was on the bounce from just behind the service line and has not been counted a net point
- the BH1/2V was a net chord dribbler
Nadal's FHs - 1 cc pass, 1 dtl return and 1 inside-in
- BHs - 2 cc running-down-drop-shots at net
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Djokovic 26
- 16 Unforced (6 FH, 10 BH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 3 BH, 2 FHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.5
Nadal 36
- 20 Unforced (14 FH, 6 BH)
- 16 Forced (8 FH, 8 BH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.5
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was...
- 12/17 (71%) at net, including...
- 1/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
Nadal was...
- 5/7 (71%) at net, including...
- 0/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
Match Report
An emphatic demonstration of superiority in all areas by Djokovic on a slow, indoor hard court. His dominance of the match begins with a sizable advantage in the serve-return complex - he's comfortably the better exponent of both shots individually, which compounds his advantage on the complex - which shapes and extends through to everything else (particular baseline play, which makes up the bulk of the match)
Serve & Return
Strong showing form Djokovic on the first shot. 6 aces and 3 service winners (which would likely be aces against overwhelming majority of players) on a slow court and against Nadal is testimony to that
In addition, his serve draws a number of weak returns. 5 of his 7 groundstroke winners are third ball shots and other strong shots put him in charge of the point. Note also Djokovic winning a humongous 70% second serve points - that's highest of the 4 serves on show - but that's more about court skills than the serve shot
Nadal returns safely. Not much he can do about the unreturnable serves - if its unreturnable for Nadal, its pretty unreturnable absolutely. Otherwise, he gets balls back in play. Doesn't miss a second serve return, and smacks a FH dtl winner.
His inability to attack Djoko's second serve in any meaningful way is normal for him - both generally and in this match, the focus of his returning is on at best, neutralizing points (not snatching initiative), with getting a large number of balls taking higher priority than doing damage with the shot
Both of Nadal's serve looks fairly ordinary for the most part, and Djoko has little trouble with it. Uncharacteristically, the Spaniard double faults 4 times in the first set - including twice in the decisive break
In second set, he raises his first serve in count to the tune of making 30/35 or 86%. And he comes up with his strongest and/or best placed ones when under pressure to good effect
For the most part though, Djoko has little trouble returning either serve. Its that kind of a court for a returner of his calibre. He doesn't overdo the attacking intent of the returns, not too many bullets to Nadal's baseline... you can say he uses the return to neutralize Nadal's edge
Note Djoko's high 7 return UEs. Some of these are pretty casual errors at unimportant times
The match as a whole is played at relatively low intensity by the standards of the two players. No question of tanking, but considerable less-than-100% stuff at suitable times. The court is slow enough that there's no such thing as 'suitable times' to ease off (meaning for example, being down 40-15 isn't a hopeless situation... returns can be made and rallies have to be won), so its interesting to see both players play this way. In their Slam encounters, even on much faster surfaces, you get the sense neither player will surrender a single point no matter what the score. That's not true here
Rallying - Djokovic attack vs Nadal defence
This dynamic dominates the first set
Djoko utilizes first serve to go on the attack. If he hasn't finished the point within a shot or two or the return, he plays commandingly. And wisely - not overdoing the attacking stuff (court isn't conducive to it). Most pure baseline points end with unforced errors... a fair reflection of moderately attacking play on a slow surface
In first set, players take turns being the more error prone. Initially, its Nadal, missing a few slightly harder than routine balls. I wouldn't say Nadal played badly though... rallies are intense, leading upto the errors. This is another feature of this match up.... with odd exceptions of Djokovic going on an attacking error bender, even when UEs are being made at a high rate, neither player can be said to be playing badly in an absolute sense. Just not as well as the other. The combination of consistency and heaviness of shot the two have are different of nature but both exceptionally strong and solid
A bit later, its Djoko's turn. He makes a number of bad errors in the sense of missing by a long way - a second serve return that doesn't reach the net, a routine FH dumped 1/2 way the net, a BH dtl that lands feet outside the court
On the whole though, Djoko comes out ahead in this dynamic. More for pressuring Nadal than outright outhitting him (net play has a role to - more on that later). Good stuff from Djoko, less than great from Nadal on defence
Rallying - Nadal attack vs Djokovic defence
In second set, Nadal turns the tables and goes on the attack
I like the move. Too often, Nadal is prone to just keep playing passively in the face of a strong attack. It would have been more understandable on this court than on most as one imagines strong defence could hold good offense at bay
But Nadal steps it up and starts attacking with FHs, hitting harder and with more varied angles than he had in first set. I like the plan, but the execution is a bit off and he makes a number of attacking UEs. For all that, the primary credit goes to Djokovic's defence... who runs down balls and gets them back consistently.
Not the best attacking play from Nadal, but close to top defensive stuff from Djoko
Djokovic was the defending champion and would go onto win the next two editions to set a record of 4 titles in a row at the event. This was Nadal's 2nd and to date, last final at the event. Nadal was world number 1, Djokovic 2
Djokovic won 67 points, Nadal 52
Serve Stats
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (38/58) 66%
- 1st serve points won (26/38) 68%
- 2nd serve points won (14/20) 70%
- Aces 6, Service Winners 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (15/58) 26%
Nadal....
- 1st serve percentage (45/61) 74%
- 1st serve points won (26/45) 58%
- 2nd serve points won (8/16) 50%
- Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 4
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (19/61) 31%
Serve Patterns
Djokovic served...
- to FH 47%
- to BH 53%
Nadal served...
- to FH 42%
- to BH 54%
- to Body 4%
Return Stats
Djokovic made...
- 38 (17 FH, 21 BH)
- 17 Errors, comprising...
- 7 Unforced (3 FH, 4 BH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 5 BH)
- Return Rate (38/57) 67%
Nadal made...
- 43 (24 FH, 19 BH), including 7 runaround FHs
- 1 Winner (1 FH)
- 6 Errors, all forced...
- 6 Forced (4 FH, 2 BH)
- Return Rate (43/58) 74%
Break Points
Djokovic 3/11 (6 games)
Nadal 1/3 (1 game)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Djokovic 12 (3 FH, 4 BH, 2 FHV, 1 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 1 OH)
Nadal 7 (3 FH, 2 BH, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic's FHs - 1 dtl and 2 inside-out
- BHs - 2 cc and 2 dtl
- the OH was on the bounce from just behind the service line and has not been counted a net point
- the BH1/2V was a net chord dribbler
Nadal's FHs - 1 cc pass, 1 dtl return and 1 inside-in
- BHs - 2 cc running-down-drop-shots at net
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Djokovic 26
- 16 Unforced (6 FH, 10 BH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 3 BH, 2 FHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.5
Nadal 36
- 20 Unforced (14 FH, 6 BH)
- 16 Forced (8 FH, 8 BH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.5
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Djokovic was...
- 12/17 (71%) at net, including...
- 1/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
Nadal was...
- 5/7 (71%) at net, including...
- 0/1 serve-volleying, a 1st serve
Match Report
An emphatic demonstration of superiority in all areas by Djokovic on a slow, indoor hard court. His dominance of the match begins with a sizable advantage in the serve-return complex - he's comfortably the better exponent of both shots individually, which compounds his advantage on the complex - which shapes and extends through to everything else (particular baseline play, which makes up the bulk of the match)
Serve & Return
Strong showing form Djokovic on the first shot. 6 aces and 3 service winners (which would likely be aces against overwhelming majority of players) on a slow court and against Nadal is testimony to that
In addition, his serve draws a number of weak returns. 5 of his 7 groundstroke winners are third ball shots and other strong shots put him in charge of the point. Note also Djokovic winning a humongous 70% second serve points - that's highest of the 4 serves on show - but that's more about court skills than the serve shot
Nadal returns safely. Not much he can do about the unreturnable serves - if its unreturnable for Nadal, its pretty unreturnable absolutely. Otherwise, he gets balls back in play. Doesn't miss a second serve return, and smacks a FH dtl winner.
His inability to attack Djoko's second serve in any meaningful way is normal for him - both generally and in this match, the focus of his returning is on at best, neutralizing points (not snatching initiative), with getting a large number of balls taking higher priority than doing damage with the shot
Both of Nadal's serve looks fairly ordinary for the most part, and Djoko has little trouble with it. Uncharacteristically, the Spaniard double faults 4 times in the first set - including twice in the decisive break
In second set, he raises his first serve in count to the tune of making 30/35 or 86%. And he comes up with his strongest and/or best placed ones when under pressure to good effect
For the most part though, Djoko has little trouble returning either serve. Its that kind of a court for a returner of his calibre. He doesn't overdo the attacking intent of the returns, not too many bullets to Nadal's baseline... you can say he uses the return to neutralize Nadal's edge
Note Djoko's high 7 return UEs. Some of these are pretty casual errors at unimportant times
The match as a whole is played at relatively low intensity by the standards of the two players. No question of tanking, but considerable less-than-100% stuff at suitable times. The court is slow enough that there's no such thing as 'suitable times' to ease off (meaning for example, being down 40-15 isn't a hopeless situation... returns can be made and rallies have to be won), so its interesting to see both players play this way. In their Slam encounters, even on much faster surfaces, you get the sense neither player will surrender a single point no matter what the score. That's not true here
Rallying - Djokovic attack vs Nadal defence
This dynamic dominates the first set
Djoko utilizes first serve to go on the attack. If he hasn't finished the point within a shot or two or the return, he plays commandingly. And wisely - not overdoing the attacking stuff (court isn't conducive to it). Most pure baseline points end with unforced errors... a fair reflection of moderately attacking play on a slow surface
In first set, players take turns being the more error prone. Initially, its Nadal, missing a few slightly harder than routine balls. I wouldn't say Nadal played badly though... rallies are intense, leading upto the errors. This is another feature of this match up.... with odd exceptions of Djokovic going on an attacking error bender, even when UEs are being made at a high rate, neither player can be said to be playing badly in an absolute sense. Just not as well as the other. The combination of consistency and heaviness of shot the two have are different of nature but both exceptionally strong and solid
A bit later, its Djoko's turn. He makes a number of bad errors in the sense of missing by a long way - a second serve return that doesn't reach the net, a routine FH dumped 1/2 way the net, a BH dtl that lands feet outside the court
On the whole though, Djoko comes out ahead in this dynamic. More for pressuring Nadal than outright outhitting him (net play has a role to - more on that later). Good stuff from Djoko, less than great from Nadal on defence
Rallying - Nadal attack vs Djokovic defence
In second set, Nadal turns the tables and goes on the attack
I like the move. Too often, Nadal is prone to just keep playing passively in the face of a strong attack. It would have been more understandable on this court than on most as one imagines strong defence could hold good offense at bay
But Nadal steps it up and starts attacking with FHs, hitting harder and with more varied angles than he had in first set. I like the plan, but the execution is a bit off and he makes a number of attacking UEs. For all that, the primary credit goes to Djokovic's defence... who runs down balls and gets them back consistently.
Not the best attacking play from Nadal, but close to top defensive stuff from Djoko
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