Rafa is still the defending RG champ but Novak won their last 2 clay court meetings
HEAD TO HEAD: 16-14 Nadal, but Djokovic has won their last seven meetings, all in finals: 3 on U.S. hard courts at 2011 Indian Wells, Miami and the U.S. Open; two on clay at 2011 Madrid and Rome; one on grass at 2011 Wimbledon; and one in the 2012 Aussie Open final, a record nearly six hour victory for the Serbian. Prior to 2011 Madrid, Nadal had taken the Serbian down in all nine clay court matches they had contested.
2012 MONTE CARLO FORM: Both have been up and down as the weather has been sporadic. In fact, in his semifinal win over Tomas Berdych, Djokovic said it was the worst conditions he ever played in as the wind was very unpredictable. However, the Serbian has been very resilient, despite having to play his three matches with the knowledge that his grandfather just passed. Regardless of how badly he is stroking the ball, Nadal always finds a ways to win in Monte. He played no more than average in his win over Gilles Simon, but did look very determined.
WHAT NOVAK HAS TO DO: Essentially what he has been doing in their last seven matches : batter Nadal
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