Rafael Nadal will officially kick off his 2017 season when he takes the court against Alexandr Dolgopolov on Tuesday in Brisbane. First-round action also includes an all-French affair between Lucas Pouille and Gilles Simon.
Alexandr Dolgopolov vs. (5) Rafael Nadal
Nadal’s bid to bounce back successfully from a tough 2016 campaign will begin on Tuesday at the Brisbane International. A wrist injury hampered the Spaniard throughout the second half of last year, a big reason why he is down at No. 9 in the world and in danger of missing out on a top-eight seed at the Australian Open. Although there is no reason for overreaction to last week’s Abu Dhabi tournament, in Nadal’s case he has to be encouraged by winning three matches (over Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic, and David Goffin) and lifting the trophy. It is clear that—at least in terms of health—the 14-time Grand Slam champion is ready to go for 2017.
Up first for Nadal is an eighth career encounter with Dolgopolov, who trails the head-to-head series 5-2. The 62nd-ranked Ukrainian pulled off upsets at the 2014 Indian Wells Masters and at Queen’s Club in 2015, having previously been 0-5 lifetime against Nadal. Another surprise, however, does not seem likely. Dolgopolov has not played a match since last summer’s U.S. Open because of a back injury and he has not won one since the Washington, D.C. tournament in mid-July. Nadal should be able to maintain his momentum from Abu Dhabi without too much trouble.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 7 games or fewer
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(6) Lucas Pouille vs. Gilles Simon
It will be an all-French showdown when Pouille and Simon square off for the third time in their careers on Tuesday. Their previous meetings did not go well for the much younger of the two countrymen (Pouile is 22, Simon is 32). Simon prevailed 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 at the 2015 French Open before dominating 6-0, 6-1 at last year’s Miami Masters.
Pouille, though, is up to No. 15 in the world thanks to a breakout 2016 season that saw him stun Nadal in a fifth-set tiebreaker on his way to the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Brisbane’s No. 6 seed won 34 ATP-level matches and one title—on the indoor hard courts of Metz last September. Simon is slowing down just a bit in the latter stages of his career, but he still registers at a decent 25th in the world. He won his opening match at his last seven tournaments of 2016. That streak may continue at the expense of an opponent who will be feeling pressure to build on such an impressive year.
Pick: Simon in 3
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