Rafael Nadal will begin his bid for a second title in as many weeks when he faces fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers on Wednesday in Barcelona. Thomaz Bellucci and Alexander Zverev are also in second-round action.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Marcel Granollers
Three days after capturing a ninth title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Nadal will kick off his week at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. The fifth-ranked Spaniard lifted a winner’s trophy for the first time since last summer (Hamburg) after outlasting Andy Murray in the semis and Gael Monfils in the final. Nadal is now 17-6 for the season and 9-1 in his last 10 non-retirement matches. He is 43-3 lifetime in Barcelona with eight titles, but it was Kei Nishikori who triumphed in both 2014 and 2015.
Up first for Nadal on Wednesday is a countryman who also fared extremely well in Monte-Carlo, albeit with plenty of luck. Granollers lost in qualifying but got a spot in the main draw–and straight to the second round–when David Ferrer withdrew. The world No. 50 parlayed his good fortune into wins over Alexander Zverev and David Goffin before succumbing to Monfils in the quarters. Granollers is 0-3 in his head-to-head series against Nadal and 0-6 in total sets. Nadal, who has never even played a tiebreaker against Granollers, last prevailed 7-5, 7-5 on the indoor hard courts of Paris in 2013. With the top seed increasing in confidence on the heels of his Monte-Carlo success, this should once again be one-way traffic.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 7 games or fewer
[polldaddy poll=9390935]
(15) Thomaz Bellucci vs. Alexander Zverev
Bellucci and Zverev will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers on Wednesday. Zverev has won both of their previous encounters from a set down; 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-4 on the grass courts of Nottingham last summer and 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 one month later on the clay courts of Bastad. The German, who is playing this one on his 19th birthday, really made a name for himself in 2015 but has taken his game to new heights this season. Zverev owns 12 ATP-level match wins, including three each in Montpellier and Indian Wells, after taking care of compatriot Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-3 on Monday.
Bellucci just barely managed to snag an opening-round bye as the 15th and second-to-last seed in Barcelona. Such a status is no thanks to his form in 2016, which has seen him slump to a 4-9 record. The 35th-ranked Brazilian has lost his opening match in five straight tournaments and is 0-6 in his last six matches dating back to a final setback at the hands of Victor Estrella Burgos in Quito. Even on a surface that favors Bellucci, there is nothing much to like about his chances against a red-hot Zverev.
Pick: Zverev in 2
[polldaddy poll=9390936]
who ya got?
I would take Mischa actually cuz he just won a challenger lol. Anyways I’m picking Rafa in straights losing seven games or fewer and Zverev in two.
Vamos Rafa! I’ll be unable to watch but my heart will be with Rafa!
Vamos Champ! Keep up the good work!
I am picking Rafa in 2 sets losing 7 games or fewer.
Zverev in 2 sets.
Now is the time to instill fear in the mind of the opposition. Rafa needs to win Barcelona without losing any set and as few games as possible
While I do expect Rafa to come out strong in Barcelona, I will take it any way I can get it. A win is a win is a win.
All I want is for Rafa to keep on winning!
Loved watching Zverev out at IW….I’ll take him in straight.
yup
Keep calm, stay focused, remain confident and enjoy the game, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgeU8zrXIAAbUQI.jpg
Granollers *1-0
A bit of a let down to be expected after MC win along with some underlying continued anxiety.
Hoping he can recover in time to get past the first round. Probably his most dangerous match this week other than a potential Nishi final.
Or not.
6-3.
Rafa 0 for 4 on BP chances. 5th chance a charm?
Yes!
Back on serve.
Hope he settles in now instead of this becoming yet another break fest.
I just turned on the match to see Rafa roll over on his ankle. What a thing to wake up to! Thsnk goodness he seems all right.
he more like collapsed in a heap. nothing really to the ankle.
Ricky,
Thanks for the update. When I tuned in Rafa was talking to the trainer on the sidelines.
He seems to be fine.
*5-3, *30-0
Set 1 stats:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cgfi6nbUUAAcR78.jpg
🙂
6-3, *1-0
Rafa up a break in the second set.
well, for now….
held from 0-30 down
Good hold from Rafa to stay up a break.
Rafa, two more games and you’ve got this!
Rafa gets the double break! He can serve it out now.
Rafa clearly feels comfortable against Granollers. He’s making it look easy.
Rafa wins in fine fashion!
Progress at last. He gets the win in straight sets on the 2nd MP. Yippee.
winner: R. Nadal (ESP)
Rafa match stats:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgfrsTLWwAALYuy.jpg
🙂 🙂
One down! ✌
Vamos Rafa!