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LONDON -- Theyre still in their 20s, yet their rivalry is already one of the most heralded in mens tennis history. Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic has become a classic. The pair met for the first time at tour level seven years ago and, when they go head-to-head in the final of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals on Monday, it will be for the 39th time. The Spaniard and the Serb have been dominant this season, with Nadal replacing Djokovic for the No. 1 ranking last month on the back of a stunning comeback from a career-threatening knee injury. "Whenever we play each other, its a huge challenge," the 26-year-old Djokovic said. "This is the probably the most competitive tournament that we have after Grand Slams in our sport, and we both want to crown this season in the best possible way and end it with a title." Djokovic extended his winning streak to 21 matches since losing in the U.S. Open final to Nadal when he beat Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals. Nadal had earlier dispatched his old rival Roger Federer in straight sets. The worlds two highest-ranked players are unbeaten this week and have faced each other five times this season, with Nadal leading the 2013 meetings 3-2. After losing a set in each of his three previous matches, Djokovic raised his game on Sunday, making only 14 unforced errors as he broke Wawrinka four times. "The performance was definitely by far the best Ive had in the tournament," said Djokovic, who is bidding for a third title at the elite, season-ending event and has been the best player of the indoor season. Nadal ended Federers hopes of finishing a disappointing season on a high note, defeating the six-time champion 7-5, 6-3. He leads Djokovic 22-16 in their career head-to-head record, although he lost their previous encounter last month in Beijing soon after regaining the top ranking. "After the U.S. Open final, I havent lost a match," Djokovic said. "Im trying to take a lot of positive energy out of this confidence and out of this run. I won against him in the finals of Beijing in straight sets and I played a great match. I liked the way I improved in our matches. I like that I changed a few things that allowed me to win against him. Thats something that I will definitely try to use tomorrow. " Nadal, who claimed his first win over Federer on an indoor hard court, extended his winning career record over the 17-time Grand Slam winner to 22-10 and has now beaten the Swiss player on every surface. Federer had won their four previous matches at the ATP Finals, dropping only one set. "The most important thing for me is (that indoor) is the toughest surface for me to play," Nadal said. "The most difficult for me was to be able to win four matches against top eight players. Its a very good way to finish the year." Chasing his first title at the Finals, Nadal played down the importance of the victory over his greatest rival. "It is probably one of my best seasons," said Nadal, who returned to the tour in February after a seven-month injury layoff. "The most satisfying thing is always (to win) the tournament more than the personal victories. So for me it is more important to be in the final in the last tournament of the year than to have the chance to win against Roger." Since returning from injury, Nadal has won 75 matches --losing only 6 --to win 10 titles including the French Open, the U.S. Open and five Masters 1000 events. Federers season was very different. Hampered by a back injury, he won only one title in 2013 and was hoping to secure a major trophy before the year-end break. He played aggressively early on but faded after losing the first set, making too many mistakes to threaten the Spaniard. "In the beginning, his serve worked very well," the 27-year-old Nadal said. "My feeling is that in the first set, he played very well. He was closer than me to have the break. So in my opinion until 4-all, he was playing better than me." Nadal and Federer treated the O2 Arena fans to some superb exchanges early on, reminiscent of the classic matches that have punctuated their nine-year rivalry. But Nadal was much sharper on the important points, converting all four break points he earned. Federer had 32 unforced errors and made some uncharacteristic poor volleys. Federer, who beat Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday to qualify for the semis while Nadal had a rest day, also appeared to fatigue near the end. Federer failed to convert three break points in the sixth game before Nadal took advantage of his first opportunity to break for 5-4 with a superb forehand winner. Federer broke back immediately, but failed to build on the momentum. He dropped his serve in the very next game before conceding the set. He then struggled with his rhythm and was broken twice in the second set. "I struggled to stay consistent enough throughout the match, and thats why he deserved to win" Federer said. "This game is a game of making or missing your opportunities." Jaire Alexander Jersey . Bale has had a successful debut season in Spain, and Ancelotti appears ready to reward him with a starting role on Saturday. Ancelotti says "Gareth had some problems at the beginning (of the season) but when he found good physical condition he scored a lot of goals, he had a good impact on the team. Custom Green Bay Packers Jerseys . The rookie is rewarding their faith with a stellar first season. MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Jamie McGinn had two goals and an assist, and Colorado beat the Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Saturday. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Reggie-white-packers-jersey/ . Wawrinka, who is seeded fourth, is in the top half of the draw with Serbian Novak Djokovic. The Swiss star outlasted Djokovic in a five-set quarterfinal thriller last year and stunned Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the final to capture his first-ever Grand Slam title. Clay Matthews Jersey . - On the night Dirk Nowitzki overtook Dominique Wilkins on the career scoring list, Brandan Wright was a human highlight film all by himself. Bart Starr Jersey . The game marks the rare occasion when two homegrown running backs, Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders and Andrew Harris of the B.C. Lions, will start in the West Divisions battle for a Grey Cup berth.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals exercised their $13.5 million option on right-hander James Shields on Thursday after he anchored one of the leagues best starting rotations last season. Shields, acquired last off-season in a trade from Tampa Bay, went 13-9 with a 3.15 ERA and an AL-leading 228 2-3 innings. Shields was especially strong after the All-Star break, going 9-3 with a 3.06 ERA to help the Royals get into playoff contention. Kansas City went 43-27 after the break to finish 86-76, its best record since 1989. "The second half, we pretty much figured it out -- figured out how to win and what it takes on a daily basis," Shields said. "I think going into next spring training, we all have that good frame of mind, that good attitude, and hopefully well have a good season next year." The decision Thursday to exercise Shields option was mostly a formality. The Royals sent top prospect Wil Myers and a package of other minor leagues to the Rays to acquire him, and they werent about to let him go after just one season in their rotation. Especially the way he pitched this season, giving the Royals the kind of bona fide ace that they havent had since Zack Greinke was plying his trade a few years ago. "I feel good about it. I feel like I pitched well for them last year," Shields said. "Im just excited to be back and be a Royal and have a good season next year." Shields, who earlier Thursday won the Joe Burke Special Achievement Awarded presented by the Kansas City chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, said he hasnt discussed a new contract with Royals general manager Dayton Moore. He did say he was open to remaining in Kansas City beyond next season.dddddddddddd "When that times comes, Ill definitely be focused on it," Shields said. "The one thing I do know is I love the city. The organization is great. Ive been here for one year and weve made tremendous strides. Their willingness to want to win is what intrigues me." In the meantime, Shields just might become the Royals best recruiter. Ervin Santana and Bruce Chen, who both pitched well this past season, became free agents on Thursday, and Shields said that he will stay in touch with them through text messages. Santana in particular figures to be among the most coveted starters on the free-agent market after going 9-10 with a career-best 3.24 ERA. He threw 211 innings this season. "You have to understand the business of the game," Shields said, "but we would love to have them back. Bruce brings veteran leadership, Magic brings veteran leadership, and both of those guys had phenomenal years. Magic was lights-out. We counted on him every five days." The Royals are also in need of help in right field and at second base, so they might be reluctant to give Santana the kind of money that hell demand on the open market. They also have several promising arms in the minor leagues, including flamethrower Yordano Ventura and youngster Kyle Zimmer, who expect to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. "Its been amazing, just the transformation, how this organization has been working the last four or five years," Shields said. "Just to see all the guys that went through the system and how they did this year, and the year we had, was truly amazing." 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