Novak Djokovic: I Look Forward to the Nadal Challenge [Video]

There is no argument who the hottest player in tennis is right now, it’s Novak Djokovic. The Serb enters this afternoon’s BNP Paribas title match against Rafael Nadal on a career-long 19-match winning streak with a unblemished 17-0 record for 2011.

Yesterday, Djokovic collected his third win of the year over Roger Federer as he sets his sights on another Federer-Nadal weekend double. He is trying to become the third player to defeat Roger-Rafa in the same tournament twice after Nikolay Davydenko and David Nalbandian. In total, five different players (Djokovic, Del Potro, Murray, Davydeno, Nalbandian) have accomplished the feat seven times.

Djokovic had that opportunity last September but after beating Federer in a thrilling US Open semifinal he was unable to push past Nadal in the championship match.

Djokovic won Indian Wells in 2008 and finished runner-up in 2007.

Nadal has won 16 of the 23 career meetings against Djokovic ad 5-0 in finals. On hard court, however, Djokovic leads 7-5.

Here’s Novak Djokovic’s ATP interview following his win over Federer:

Here are the highlights from yesterday: