Watch Roger Federer vs. David Nalbandian Live

David Nalbandian begins the year ranked 27th worldwide, with the goal of reaching the top 10. He said that if he has the form to do it, nothing will prevent him. His task begins at the Auckland Open in New Zealand. As sixth-seeded, David Nalbandian beat Fabio Fognini, Philipp Kohlschreiber, John Isner and Nicolas Almagro, without losing a set. However, he loses in the final against the other David, favorite David Ferrer. His performance propelled him to the rank of 21st in the world, and then he becomes the No. 1 Argentina at the expense of Juan Martín del Potro, who was also injured. Subsequently, fate makes Nalbandian face Lleyton Hewitt, his rival in the first round of the Australian Open. The match, dubbed the "Clash of the Titans", went in the fifth set as in 2005, but this time for Nalbandian, after 57 games. Nalbandian saved two match points and the effects of this duel is felt in the 2nd round, where he is forced to retire because of cramps and fatigue, while losing 1–6, 0–6, 0 -2 to Ričardas Berankis. After the Australian Open, David Nalbandian, still 21st World, participates in the tournament in Santiago, Chile for the first time in 10 years. He begins the tour on clay by beating his compatriot Carlos Berlocq, before losing against another Argentine, Horacio Zeballos. Then, in Buenos Aires, Nalbandian loses in the quarterfinals against Tommy Robredo. David plays then a Davis Cup match, winning in four sets against Romanian Adrian Ungur. Because of a torn hamstring and a hernia, Nalbandian misses many tournaments including Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome Masters. From March on, he is injured, and, as of May 8, is still sidelined. These two have met 23 times with Federer leading 14–9, and 5–3 in Grand Slam events. Djokovic is the only player besides Nadal to have defeated Federer more than once in a Grand Slam tournament since 2004, and the only player besides Nadal to defeat Federer in consecutive grand slam tournaments (2010 US Open and 2011 Australian Open). Djokovic is one of two (the other again being Nadal) players currently on tour to have defeated Federer in straight sets at a Grand Slam (2008 Australian Open and 2011 Australian Open). Because of the continuously improving game and general rise of Djokovic in the last 3 years, many experts include Djokovic when talking about Nadal and Federer (all 3 have played each other more than 22 times) and Federer has cited his rivalry with Djokovic as his second favorite after his rivalry with Nadal. Experts such as John McEnroe have said that this is the beginning of a new change in tennis and have coined the current situation "The Trivalry" between Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. Djokovic's recent back-to-back-to-back wins against Federer at the Australian Open, Dubai and Indian Wells tournament have made this rivalry even more intense. During that span, Djokovic had gone on a 43–0 winning streak dating back to the Davis Cup final the previous year. Federer ended Djokovic's perfect 41–0 season defeating him in the semifinals of the 2011 French Open.