Anytime #1 and #2 meet to decide a big tournament things are special.  This one has the potential to be even bigger than special.  Novak Djokovic is #2 in the world and has beaten #1 Nadal 3 consecutive times winning 6 consecutive sets.  A win on clay over Nadal would propel Djokovic into Paris with a head of steam.  Rafa on the other hand won Madrid last week and could quell any notions of slipping form with a win over Nole.

In the semifinal round, neither man faced a match similar to what this final is likely to bring.  Milos Raonic does not play like Rafa.  Dimitrov lacks Nole’s focus and return game.  Rafa seems to be playing his best clay court tennis of the season after dropping the first set to Andy Murray in a Rome quarterfinal.  Novak who skipped Madrid to rest his wrist has fewer reps on…