Sony Ericsson Open Final Four Preview: Nadal vs. Federer; Fish vs. Djokovic

A Mallorcan, a King, a Djoker and a Fish walk into a bar… Sounds like a good Irish joke, or perhaps the lyrics to a Steve Miller ballad. Either way, it’s making for one heck of a final four to the Sony Ericsson Open. 

College basketball might be proud of its pairings of Butler, VCU, UConn and Kentucky in Houston on Saturday, but we’ll take the three best players in the world and the newly-minted top-ranked American any day of the week.

Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Despite Djokovic’s increasing popularity and hot-streak fanaticism following, Fish will have one thing that previous opponents haven’t—the home crowd advantage. It’s a debate if that will mean anything however, since Fish is 0-5 all-time against the Djoker, including 0-3 last season.

Fish is pursuit of his first Masters 1000 title: he lost in the finals at Cincinnati in 2003, at Indian Wells in 2008 (to Djokovic) and to Federer last summer in Cincinnati. He was out in the fourth round here a year ago, which means he’s already picked up considerable points by making it this far—he’s plus 630 right now, which will have him knocking on the door of the top 10 come Monday.

Djokovic is … well, what can you say at this point? The man is 22-0 in 2011 and has lost only two sets to players ranked outside the top 10 all season.

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Roger Federer (SUI)

It’s no April Fool’s prank, tennis fans. Nadal and Federer are meeting outside of a final for the first time since the 2007 Masters semifinals. Even more distant was the last time the two squared off in the United States, that coming in 2005, right here in Miami in a final that saw Nadal take the first two sets and Federer the final three.

When Federer won their last meeting, at the Barclays last fall, he appeared on his way back to the top of the heap, but he’s slipped back to third in the world since then because of Djokovic’s sudden infallibility. Nadal is still seeking his first title of 2011, and would love the chance to avenge his loss to Djokovic at Indian Wells two weeks ago.

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