No Djoke: 32-0 in 2011 for Nole

[marmar]

Julian Finney/Getty Images


MADRID -- Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal on clay for the first time in 10 tries, beating the top-ranked Spaniard 7-5, 6-4 to win the Madrid Open on Sunday and extend his unbeaten start to the season to 32 matches.

The second-ranked Djokovic squandered a 4-0 lead in the first set, but recovered to end Nadal's latest winning streak on clay at 37 matches and earn the Serb his third straight victory over Nadal in finals this season.

Djokovic's sixth title of 2011 allowed him to surpass Bjorn Borg's 31-match season-opening run in 1980. He trails only John McEnroe's 42-0 start in 1984.

Djokovic's run of 34 straight wins since Serbia's Davis Cup triumph in December is the eighth best of all time. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=6507144

[joeybee12]

1. The good news is maybe the Raf-roid era is over...

Some of the other players, like Belluzi, gave Djoker a tougher match.

Not a fan of Novak, but you gotta give him credit for FINALLY focusing on his game.

[marmar]

2. I'm actually a fan of Rafa and Nole......

...... and Federer. One of the few players I really don't like is the classless asshole Andy Roddick.

[joeybee12]

3. I like Federer, like Soderling, have tried to like Andy Roddick, but each

time you think he's getting his act together, he starts throwing tantrums again.

[tishaLA]

4. Djoko has been having an incredible season

I would rather him than Nadal be at the top, but I'm just spiteful because I love Roger.

[joeybee12]

5. Same here...I don't like Djoker, but I really can't stand Nadal...

Roger's prime has passed, he still might win a few big ones, but I'd rather see others challenging Nadal who is at his prime, so that in a few years when he's not in his prime, he won't have as many majors as Roger...it might be a few months if those roids do more damage.