Fellow Spaniards and World Tour Finals hopefuls Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer will be in second-round action on Wednesday in Beijing. They are going up against Vasek Pospisil and Lukas Rosol, respectively.
Vasek Pospisil vs. (3) Rafael Nadal
Nadal and Pospisil will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in round two of the China Open on Wednesday. Benefiting from a favorable draw against Chinese wild card Di Wu, Nadal advanced through his opener 6-4, 6-4 despite another unspectacular performance on Tuesday. The eighth-ranked Spaniard is 46-15 for the season and looking for just his fourth title while also hoping to wrap up a spot at the World Tour Finals.
Pospisil also struggled at times in his first-rounder but managed to scrape past Victor Estrella Burgos 4-6, 7-5, 6-0. Overall it was a productive day at the office for Pospisil, who ended a five-match doubles losing streak with partner Jack Sock by overcoming Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli 7-6(5), 2-6, 11-9. In singles, the Canadian is a decent 21-20 for the year and registers at a solid 44th in the world thanks mainly to a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon. Nadal is extremely vulnerable right now and Pospisil has the big-hitting game that can trouble Beijing’s No. 3 seed, but the underdog is 0-11 against the current top four players in the world and may lack belief against this kind of opponent.
Pick: Nadal in 3
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(4) David Ferrer vs. Lukas Rosol
Ferrer and Rosol will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers on Wednesday. All four of their previous encounters have gone the way of Ferrer, who is 8-1 lifetime in total sets at Rosol’s expense. The two veterans most recently faced each other earlier this year in Miami, where the Spaniard prevailed 6-4, 7-5.
Fresh off a title in Kuala Lumpur, Ferrer does not appear to be looking back in Beijing. The world No. 7 opened on Tuesday by disposing of Thomaz Bellucci 6-4, 6-3. Rosol kicked off his week with a 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 comeback win over Aljaz Bedene. The 79th-ranked Czech is a dismal 17-26 at the ATP level in 2015 and he has not won more than two matches at a tournament since the French Open. This is a nightmare matchup for Rosol, as Ferrer is one of the best returners in the game and can break down more one-dimensional opponents.
Pick: Ferrer in 2
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hu yu got?
Rafa in 3 and ferrer in 2
at least rafa isn’t playing rosol…
# be thankful for small mercies as that is all we have got….
🙂
Be focused, be confident, be strong, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQpiPUOVEAE9P5k.png:medium
This match will be won between the ears which, in a rare instance lately, means advantage Rafa.
Anything’s pospisil but look for Rafa to win in three ugly sets.
“but the underdog is 0-11 against the current top four players in the world”
Yes but Rafa is not one of those players, no?
Nadal and Ferrer
I am picking Rafa in 3 sets and Ferrer in 2 sets.
I agree, rafa in 3 sets. He is still not at all comfortable on the court and seems to unsure. I hope he finds a way to win this and improve.
and hello everyone!
NNY, i read your health has been a concern. I hope you are feeling better . is it some physical injury or some illness?get well soon .
vamosrafa,
Have you checked your email?
Ferrer through in 2.. not sure about Rafa but I’m going to say Rafa in three
Rafa in straight, and Ferrer as well…..and it has been good coverage so far on TC!
Ricky said the other day, if he picks Popsi to lose, he wins and vice versa. I hope he was joking.
The National Stadium is running late. Wozi and Kerby are still on their first set. If they go to three sets, which is likely, it will be another two hours before Rafa’s match.
Berdych loses 4 and 4 to cuevas. Wtf
Tired
The WTA match is over. I guess Rafa will be on court at about 2.30pm GMT.
Sorry we are not on GMT yet – BST.
Deuce
Break point Rafa
Pospy held
horrific FHs now
40-0 to deuce after DF and 2 UEs.
I am up and watching Rafa now.
Let’s do this Rafa!
So far no breaks of serve.
One of the commies said that Rafa’s taken out four bounces when he’s serving. They put up first serve percentages and Rafa’s is 86%.
Rafa hitting short as the set gets tight.
Pospi has a sitter short on BP and blows it with a UE into the net.