After advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2012 French Open at Roland Garros with a victory over Andreas Seppi, Novak Djokovic is in position to compete for yet another grand slam title.
The 25-year-old Serb has dazzled in his still-young career; he has won five grand slam titles, with three Majors in 2011 alone, and is currently the No. 1 player in the world according to the Association of Tennis Professionals.
In his illustrious 10-year career, Djoker has played in many thrilling matches, developed several heated rivalries and, although infrequently, experienced the bitterness of defeat at the highest levels.
1. 2011 Australian Open Victory over Andy Murray
Djokovic upset Roger Federer in the semifinals of the 2011 Australian Open, earning a position in the finals against Andy Murray of England and a chance to win his second Australian Open championship.
And he would win, hands down. Djokovic defeated his boyhood rival 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 39 minutes, dropping only one set in seven matches.
The fact that Djoker ended Murray’s three-match winning streak was very satisfying. Since their first official match in 2006, the two have met 13 times, with Djokovic holding an 8-5 advantage.
The Serbian has had success in Melbourne, having won the title for the third time in 2012.
2. 2011 French Open Defeat to Roger Federer
Djokovic was in good form heading into the semifinals of the 2011 French Open. Only Roger Federer stood between him and a place in the finals after he went on a 43-match winning streak and won the Australian Open earlier this year.
After a nail-biting, back-and-forth fight, the match came down to a tiebreaker in the fourth set, where Federer surged out to a 6-3 lead and sealed the title with an ace, capping a 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 victory.
Another exciting rivalry is Djokovic-Federer, with Federer now leading 14-11. The two are 3-3 in finals matchups, which reflects the matchup’s ferocity.
3. 2011 Wimbledon Victory over Rafael Nadal
The year 2011 would be a watershed moment in the Djokovic-Nadal rivalry. Rafael Nadal’s dynasty will come to an end brutally in 2011, when he went 0-6 against Serbian adversary Novak Djokovic.
Anyone watching the match could tell how much the victory meant to Djokovic after he defeated his opponent 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3; his frank, grass-eating joy is the type of moment we live for in sports: seeing an underdog eventually prevail over a bitter enemy.
Djokovic’s victory at Wimbledon had to be the most rewarding, considering it was his first and only Major victory over Nadal, as well as his first and only victory at Wimbledon. It was also Djoko’s first victory in a grass-court tournament.
4. 2012 Australian Open Victory over Nadal
Djokovic’s win at the 2012 Australian Open was nothing short of spectacular. After rallying to overcome Andy Murray in the semifinals in a four-hour, 50-minute match, he progressed to the finals, where he would meet Rafael Nadal, his fierce adversary.
The competition lived up to expectations. Djoker fought to beat Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in a lengthy five-hour, 53-minute showdown. The match was the longest in Australian Open history, the longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era, and Djokovic’s sixth Grand Slam title
