Alexander Zverev facing Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros received audible gasps from certain sections of the room during the draw ceremony. Novak Djokovic was quizzed about the clash after winning in Geneva and admitted he is intrigued to see how a Nadal that isn't the same in his favourite tournament gets on.
It is two years on from Zverev's infamous clash with Nadal in the same tournament. Infamous as Zverev was leading and then got struck down with a horrific ankle injury. One that he has only just recovered from fully in terms of his form and one that put him on the shelf for a long time.
He has just won Rome so is a different complexion to Nadal who has been stop start since his return producing some epic displays and then ones that have left him crestfallen and Djokovic lauded the 'spectacle'.
Novak Djokovic on the Rafa Nadal vs Zverev match at Roland Garros: "Yes, I've seen it. Total spectacle. I'm excited to see that match, it will be a very interesting match. Zverev is in great shape, having won in Rome. On the court at Roland Garros, he is not the same Rafa that…
"Yes, I've seen it. Total spectacle. I'm excited to see that match, it will be a very interesting match. Zverev is in great shape, having won in Rome. On the court at Roland Garros, he is not the same Rafa we are facing. It's Roland Garros, so we'll see what happens." (via Puntodebreak)
Now for Djokovic, it is Tomas Machac in Geneva and could yet be Casper Ruud again in the final. He said that adaptation was key during that clash as he gains more matches and pivotally more wins,
"I played very well today in the second set. The conditions today are a little different and affect the trajectory of the ball, the speed of the point, so it forces you to change tactically. Adaptation is very important."
"It was important to stay There in the first set, he played very aggressively and it was very difficult to respond to his serve. Then, at 4-5 0-40, the match was decided. The performance in the second set was better on my part."
