Rafael Nadal and Fabio Fognini will renew their rivalry during quarterfinal action on Friday in Barcelona. Benoit Paire and Malek Jaziri are also bidding for a place in the last four.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (12) Fabio Fognini
Nadal and Fognini will be squaring off for the 10th time in their careers when they meet again in the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 6-3 in favor of Nadal, who is 3-2 against the Italian on clay. Fognini, however, has won three of their last five encounters dating back to last February and he beat Nadal 6-4, 7-6(6) in the third round of this Barcelona tournament in 2015. After a stunning comeback from two sets down by Fognini at the U.S. Open last summer, Nadal prevailed 7-5, 6-3 in the Beijing semifinals.
Looking to build on momentum from his ninth Monte-Carlo title, Nadal has not lost more than three games in any of four sets so far in Barcelona. The world No. 5 took care of fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers in the second round before easing past another compatriot, Albert Montanes, on Thursday. Fognini also earned an opening bye as the 12th seed and he followed that up with victories over Mikhail Youzhny (3-6, 6-0, 6-1) and Viktor Troicki (6-3, 6-2). He is still just 5-5 for what has been an injury-plagued season and 3-5 in his last eight matches. This is a much-improved Nadal from what was on display last year in Barcelona and he certainly will not lack confidence or motivation heading into this one.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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(6) Benoit Paire vs. Malek Jaziri
Not too much unlike his entire career, Paire’s 2016 campaign has been a roller-coaster. The Frenchman opened with a semifinal performance in Chennai, went on a four-match losing streak soon thereafter, reached another semifinal in Marseille, and then lost five of his next six matches. Paire played well last week in Monte-Carlo to reach the third round, but he failed to maintain a set and double-break lead over Andy Murray and fell 2-6, 7-5, 7-5. Seeded sixth in Barcelona, Paire has bounced back with straight-set defeats of Teymuraz Gabashvili and Pablo Cuevas.
Up next for the world No. 22 is a first-ever meeting with Jaziri. The 76th-ranked Tunisian has benefited from playing in a section of the draw vacated by Richard Gasquet, who withdrew due to injury. Jaziri ousted Hyeon Chung, got past lucky loser Renzo Olivo in three sets, and upset Alexander Zverev 7-6(5), 6-4 on Thursday. He is through to just his fifth career ATP quarterfinal and second at the 500-point level (got crushed by Philipp Kohlschreiber at the 2014 Dubai event). Paire not only has the edge in experience but is also playing with confidence again, so this may end up being one-way traffic.
Pick: Paire in 2
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Rafa holds easily to make it 5-2.
Keep it up Rafa!
1st set Rafa 62
Vamos!
Well done Rafa!
Set 1 stats:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgqEFXZWMAApHiF.jpg
🙂
Rafa was up 2-0 and now it’s 3-2 Fog, I don’t like seeing Fog get back in this match.
just came back…Rafa lost the last game :/ but two massive roars from him as he hits two exquisite winners
vamossssssssssssssssssssss
Awesome backhands set up that sizzling inside out forehand!!
VAMOSSSSSSSSS!!! 5-5!!
He did not hit a short forehand and THAT was the key! Fog made the error
Rafa breaks back!
Come on Rafa! Get this done now!
Integral for Rafa to keep good length on his backhand CC ….because Fog is always looking for that forehand DTL of his and he hits that pretty well and aggressively..
0-30! Go for the win here now!!
Rafa, do it now!
Too good from Fog! 40-40! But, Rafa must take the initiative! don’t wait!
What the hell with all those drop shots! they are incredibly good :s
That was better! went for his backhand DTL !
Fog looking for EVERY opportunity to hit his forehand DTL…
his FH was horrendous. His BH and DS were good, though.
Rafa really has to settle down here. He has blown too many set points.
Rafa, BE READY for the drop shots!!
I do not believe what I am seeing!
Wow….0-40 wasted :/ I hope he wins the tie break!