• Tennis

Nadal and Djokovic set for exhibition challenge

Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic en route to two grand slam victories but the Serbian won in London © PA Photos

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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are yet to call time on their 2013 seasons. The Spaniard and Serbian are in South America for an exhibition series to mark the retirement of David Nalbandian.

World No. 1 Nadal will play three exhibition matches in Argentina - two of them against former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian, who announced his retirement earlier this season, before taking on Djokovic for the seventh time in 2013.

Nadal took on fellow Spaniard David Ferrer at an exhibition in Peru as Djokovic failed to lead Serbia to victory in the Davis Cup final despite claiming two rubbers against the Czech Republic.

The pair will make an appearance in Chile before Nadal returns to Argentina to face Nalbandian in their first match at Orfeo stadium in Cordoba, before Saturday's second encounter in Buenos Aires. Nadal will then face Djokovic on Sunday.

Nadal and Djokovic have met six times this year on the ATP Tour, claiming three wins apiece including the semi-finals of the French Open, the US Open final - both won by Nadal - and the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, won by Djokovic.

The event marks Nadal's first appearance in Buenos Aires since 2005, when the then 18-year-old reached the final of an ATP event in the city, losing 0-6 6-0 6-1 to Argentina's Gaston Gaudio.

"I am very happy to be in Argentina and also to take part in the farewell of a close friend like Nalbandian," the Spaniard told local reporters.

"I remember the exulting Argentine public of that final against Gaudio and also in the 2011 Davis Cup final in Sevilla. I am sure that Nalbandian will have a warm farewell."

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