Novak Djokovic NEEDS this to beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon
NOVAK DJOKOVIC needs “luck” if he is to beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon, says seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander.
Djokovic and Nadal go head-to-head at the All England Club this afternoon hoping for a place in the final.
Djokovic has struggled with an elbow injury over the last year but seems to have finally put his woes behind him.
However, Nadal will prove an incredibly difficult opponent as he entered Wimbledon having won four clay court titles, including the French Open.
Wilander believes the world No 1 will come out on top and meet either John Isner or Kevin Anderson on Sunday.
But he says Djokovic will only have a chance if he plays to his absolute maximum.
“I think Djokovic has got to serve very well and get lucky,” Wilander told Express Sport.
“The question is, is he going to make the right decision and have the belief?
“The problem I see is he is not winning close match-ups like Nadal.
“Djokovic, since his elbow injury, has been a much-improved player. He looks so comfortable on grass and his confidence is back.
Nadal has not won the Wimbledon title in eight years
“It is impossible to know how far away from his best he is but he must be thinking ‘I can’t believe I’m playing so well.’
“He struggled after his elbow injury but he got to the final at Queen’s and he has looked comfortable at Wimbledon.”
Nadal’s most recent “close match-up” came during his five-set thriller against Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals.
