It was considered a great upset for the sports world this past weekend. The champion’s reign had come to an end.

Nope, I am not taking about the Dallas Mavericks’ shellacking of the Los Angeles Lakers but the upset of Rafael Nadal by Novak Djokovic on Sunday at the Madrid Masters.

The No. 2 world seed won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.

He entered the match with a 0-9 record against Nadal and with the win, it represented his first victory on clay against the surface’s king. It was also Nadal’s first loss on clay in almost two years.

Somebody had to fall.

Nadal’s response to the loss was succinct:

“I came up against a great player obviously — he’s having a monster year.”

Indeed, he has.

» Continue reading “Meet the New Rivalry: Nadal vs. Djokovic”