Rafael Nadal was in Novak Djokovic's head through ENTIRE Australian Open semi-final
NOVAK DJOKOVIC knew Rafael Nadal awaited in the Australian Open final and he couldn't stop thinking about the prospect of facing his long-time rival throughout his match against Lucas Pouille.
That's according to former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, who believes Nadal will struggle to cope with Djokovic if he performs like he did against Pouille.
Nadal had already sailed through to the Australian Open final on Thursday after thrashing Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Spaniard was at his scintillating best, dropping just six games in the entire match.
But up stepped Djokovic in his semi-final, going one better against Pouille by only losing four games.
The Frenchman had no answer for the world No 1 the entire match as he dominated the entire contest.
Djokovic never dropped focus and now sets up a mouthwatering tie with Nadal for the Australian Open title on Sunday.
And Cash believes there was an added extra motivation from Djokovic in his semi-final against Pouille to send a message to Nadal.
"Mind-blowing tennis," Cash told Eurosport.
"Novak played better than I thought.
"When he locks in and able to maintain that rhythm and hitting the ball at that depth, but Pouille didn’t play that well.
"I’m not sure whether it was too much for him, he was tired, but Novak was unbelievably good.
"When he has that steely-eyed look, thinking I’m going to crush this, I think he had Rafa in the back of his mind wanting to send a message to him.
"But even Rafa will struggle if keeps up that level of play, but of course he’s a much different player at a higher level.
"He was phenomenal but have to say the match was a little disappointing."