Rafael Nadal will kick off his Beijing campaign when he takes the court against Lucas Pouille on Tuesday. A jam-packed schedule also features Juan Martin Del Potro, who will be hoping to build on a successful U.S. Open effort.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Lucas Pouille
It will be a rematch of a 2016 U.S. Open fourth-round thriller when Nadal and Pouille square off in round one of the Beijing Open on Tuesday. Last summer, Pouille pulled off of a stunning 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(6) upset on his way to the quarterfinals of that Grand Slam. The overall head-to-head series is tied up at one victory apiece, as Nadal prevailed 6-2, 6-1 on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo two years ago.
Although Pouille should be on the rise at 23 years old, this is not the same player who took down Nadal at the U.S. Open. The 23rd-ranked Frenchman benefited from a favorable draw in New York to make a return trip to the last 16, but he is dreadful 0-6 in his last six matches outside of New York dating back to the Wimbledon second round. Nadal, on the other hand, is an amazing 56-9 this season with a pair of major titles. Well-rested having played only in the Laver Cup since his U.S. Open triumph, the top-ranked Spaniard should have no trouble extending Pouille’s woes.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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Pablo Cuevas vs. (WC) Juan Martin Del Potro
Del Potro and Cuevas will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Tuesday. Their only previous encounter came six years ago on the red clay of Estoril, where Del Potro got the job done 6-2, 7-6(6). The 29-year-old Argentine has endured an off-and-on relationship with tennis since that time, and for once he appears to be getting through a full season in decent health. Del Potro owns a 23-12 record for his 2017 campaign and he made a recent run to the U.S. Open semifinals, upsetting Dominic Thiem and Roger Federer along the way.
Cuevas is a modest 18-16 this year and in danger of being unseeded for the 2018 Australian Open, currently on the brink at No. 32 in the rankings. The Uruguayan has been especially hopeless of late, with an 0-6 record in his last six matches dating back to the French Open. There is no reason to think this will be anything other than a straight-set beatdown in Del Potro’s favor.
Pick: Del Potro in 2
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