Novak Djokovic will arrive at Roland Garros seven wins away from becoming the first man for 43 years to hold all four grand slam titles concurrently – the only trouble is one of his victims will probably have to be claycourt king Rafa Nadal.
The 25-year-old Serb will be seeded one at the French Open, courtesy of the top ranking that goes with being the current Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open champion.
However, few will mark him down as favorite with Nadal, who Djokovic calls the «ultimate challenge» on clay, peaking at just the right time to chase a seventh Paris title and move him ahead of Bjorn Borg in the pantheon of Roland Garros champions.
Last year, Djokovic began in Paris on a claycourt roll after beating Nadal in the Madrid and Rome finals – only to fall to an inspired Roger Federer in the semi-finals.
His form this year has been impressive, if not quite as spectacular as last year when he won his first 41 matches of 2011 before the four-set loss to Federer.
He has also relinquished his iron-like hold over Nadal – losing in the Monte Carlo and Rome finals having won his previous seven matches against the Mallorcan powerhouse.
Having beaten a rejuvenated Federer in the Rome semis, however, and with world number four Andy Murray not in the best form or fitness, there appear few natural barriers to prevent Djokovic facing his day of destiny on June 10.
«It’s there and a possibility to win four grand slams in a row and I am going to prepare as I prepare for any other big event with more focus,» Djokovic said after his 7-5 6-3 defeat by Nadal in the Italian capital, a match that was too close to call for much of a brutal first set.
buenosairesherald.com