Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in exhibition match

Buenos Aires, Nov 25 World No.1 Rafael Nadal proved why he held the top spot as he beat second-seeded Novac Djokovic at an exhibition tennis match here.

The Spaniard defeated his Serbian rival in two sets, 6-4, 7-5, as part of a relaxed joke and humour-filled match watched by more than 12,000 spectators here Sunday, reports Xinhua.

The two tennis stars were in the South American country to support Argentina’s David Nalbandian, who will retire from pro tennis.

Nalbandian, once ranked No.3 and winner of the 2005 Shanghai Masters Cup, defeated Nadal in the first of the two matches Thursday, winning 6-4, 7-6 (6). Nadal won the second match Saturday, 6-3, 6-4.

During a doubles match, as part of the exhibition series, Djokovic entertained fans by doing his impersonation of Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova and later dressing up as a nurse to attend to Nalbandian.

Nadal and Djokovic also played a game Friday in southern Argentina’s Santa Cruz province against the imposing backdrop of Perito Moreno glacier.

During Sunday’s event, US actor Will Smith, who is in Argentina to film his latest movie, “Focus,” got on the court to horse around with the Serbian player.