Djokovic destroys Lucas Poullie 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 setting up a finals shutdown with Rafael Nadal. It will be really hard to pick who's going to win the tournament this year as both of them are in the top of their game specially Nadal. As vella85 and me said before, those young prospect like Tsitsipas and Poullie usually melts down at this kind of big tournaments. Both of them reached the semis but it seems the lack of experienced really shows as the two performed way below of what is expected from them.
Predictions for the finals? Who you got?
Both players that reached the finals are both veterans, so it hard to predict who will win but most likely the one with a good body condition will win. I think Djokovic will win the finals because I think Nadal can't keep up with the pace that Djokovic will give to him.
Good point, and if I'm not mistaken, the last time they face each other is during Wimbledon 2018 semis wherein Djokovic outlasted Nadal in a dramatic fashion. That was the time that Djokovic started his magical run to regain the top spot. But this time its Nadal who is in top form, so I'm expecting another 5 hours match with a lot of momentum shift. I wanna hear other opinions as well.
But #5 was none other then Novak Djokovic and Rafal Nadal in 2012 Australian open which took 5 hours and 53 minutes.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/longest-tennis-grand-slam-matches-off-all-time-history
"Both the players were so tired after the final during the post-match presentation that they were given chairs to sit on. The Spaniard Nadal was up a break in the final set but Djokovic clawed his way back to level the score at 4-4. He broke Nadal in the 5-5 and then served out the match to win the final set 7-5.
Result: Novak Djokovic def. Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 7–5 "
I remember this match between Djokovic and Nadal very well as I stayed up until 2am which is when the match finished. This was one of the best matches of all time as the momentum swung around a lot during the match, at times it looked like Nadal would win as Djokovic looked down and out but some how he fought back and the same for Nadal. I'm expecting this AO final to be another epic battle between two of the greatest players of all time and for me I'm think Djokovic will be the one to win as he has the edge on Nadal for a while now and also Djokovic is suited by Nadal's left handed playing style, that is why we see Djokovic play so well against Nadal while almost all other struggle. I can't wait for this but in the mean time we have the Women's final tonight which should be a good match as well. I think Osaka will win as she is so strong however Kvitova is playing some good tennis right now and being a 2 time Grand Slam winner, she can't be counted out.
When we come to women's side although Osaka looks calm , confident and stronger than Kvitova , I want Kvitova to win .