Serb Novak Djokovic was the last person to beat Spaniard Rafael Nadal in more than two months, and with the same surface pretty much like the ones in the US Open series, the 21-year-old youngster hoped to bring his tour momentum into the Olympic Games which starts on Aug 8.
"It was not much different than the match I won against him (Nadal) at Indian Wells this year. I look at it as another win," he said of his two victories over Nadal this season, both coming from hard court Masters events.
"Of course, it's more pleasurable when you win against a top 10 or top five player in the world, especially Nadal who is in such great shape. So it was a great win for me. So far, I'm having a great year."
However, Nadal revenged his hard court loss on grass and clay, winning three times on these surfaces this season against the Serbian sensation. The career record favors the Spaniard who is leading 9-4, but it was Djokovic who stopped Nadal's stunning 32-match winning streak that gave the Spaniard five titles.
"The venue is good and huge, and the court here is like the US Open and I think it can help me into the game quickly, so I hope I can make a good show here," added the Olympic debutant.
"For us, it's a privilege to be part of the Olympic Games. In my opinion the Olympics are the biggest event in sports. Just being with the best athletes in the world is exciting for me."
Since becoming the world number three one year ago, Djokovic has begun to take share of the cake this season, claiming his first ever Grand Slam title in the Australian Open.
If he could not catch up with the scorching pace of Nadal, Djokovic is obviously trying to pat the shoulder of an ill-formed Roger Federer.
After reaching the Cincinnati Masters final, Djokovic has taken the second place of the race rankings while Federer moved a spot down to third.
"I still need a couple of matches to get to the stage to meet them (in the Olympics). Anyway I have had the best year so far."
"I had played a great match with Rafa last week in Cincinnati, which gave me great confidence. There is no doubt that I can beat them."
The tennis players will be expected to give medal boost to Serbia, which also has Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic ruled the women's tennis as world number one to two.
"We have the strongest Olympic team ever. So, of course, we have a lot of expectations to bring home a medal for Serbia. I am a top three player so, of course, there are people in Serbia expecting me to do a medal."
"I accept it as a very serious match," said Djokovic of his opening match against Robby Ginepri from the United States, " and I have high expectations for the Olympic Games. I just need to try and prepare and get used to the conditions which are pretty extreme.
"The humidity is very high and it is not easy to play. Hopefully, I can get ready for Sunday and Monday."
(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)