Modern tennis at its finest - 4/3/2011

Date: 4/3/2011
Result: Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal, 4-6 6-3 7-6
Why it matters:
- You watched that match, right?  And enjoyed it?  The crowd certainly did.  They were rocking and rolling.  Why?  Because for all the talk and nostalgia over "classic style" and "variety", etc.  people forget to recognize that these guys DO play with variety.  Not only can they hammer shots from every part of the court, but they mixed in plenty of dropshots, Djokovic hit some amazing lobs, both closed at net (when appropriate), there was clutch serving but also amazing returning, and the most exciting part of the modern game: the ability to transition from defense to offense with one swing.  The rallies, imagination, and skills on display in today's match shows why tennis is in such an amazing place.  We don't need Rafter v. Agassi anymore (though it was a rivalry I loved) to feature points with contrasting styles (Serve and Volley v. Counterpunching) because most players these days can do everything.  Nadal and Djokovic surely can.  And when you don't know what to expect, it makes things so much more fun.
- This rivalry is also really awesome.  At 16-9 for Nadal, it's very compelling.  I don't care that Novak is 0-11 on grass and clay, because he's had his chances in most of those matches - if you look at the results, Novak blows Rafa out on hard more often than Rafa does the same to Novak on clay: Nadal's easiest win on clay (lost 5 games in Rome 2007) v. Novak's easiest wins on hard court (lost 5 games in Indian Wells 2008, Cincinnati 2009, and Paris Indoors 2009).  Additionally, Novak and Rafa have played at every important event on the tennis calendar (majors, Masters Series, Olympics, Year End Championships) except the Australian Open and the Shanghai Masters (the latter only in existence for 2 years thus far - and they played at the now defunct Hamburg Masters before).
- Transitioning to clay, Djokovic still has his undefeated record intact, and one has to expect he'll win at least 1 match in Monte-Carlo to match Ivan Lendl's start in 1986 - and Lendl didn't beat 8 top 10 players in the stretch. In 2009, Nadal and Djokovic met in Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Madrid (the most compelling of those matches).  Look for them to meet in at least a few of those events, and potentially Roland Garros, this year as well.  I think Rafa will of course be the favorite, but these matches could and should be really exciting.
Honorable Mention:
- Charleston Qualifying Final Round, Alexandra Stevenson def. Coco Vandeweghe - 62 26 64 - She's BAAAACCCKKK.  Well, not really I don't think.  She has qualified for the main draw in this large event, but since her injury problems started, she's not been the same player who reached the Wimbledon semifinals .  She has her chance to make her mark on the main tour against Mattek-Sands.  Let's see if she takes advantage.