Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco will lead Spain on the first day of Davis Cup playoff action against the visiting Ukraine. They are set for respective meetings with Sergiy Stakhovsky and Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)
Four days after winning the U.S. Open, Nadal will be back in action for the Davis Cup World Group playoffs at home in Madrid, Spain against the Ukraine. Nadal rolled to his second triumph in New York and 13th career Grand Slam title while losing only two total sets in the process–one to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the fourth round and one to Novak Djokovic in the final. The second-ranked Spaniard is an amazing 60-3 this season with 10 titles.
Nadal will contest the second singles rubber on Friday against Stakhovsky, whom he has never faced. Stakhovsky, of course, stunned Roger Federer in the Wimbledon second round earlier this summer. However, it has been an otherwise dreadful year for the former world No. 31. He is just 9-14 at the ATP level and barely inside the Top 100 at 92nd. On anything other than clay, a few sets in this one could be competitive given Nadal’s quick turnaround after such an emotional win. Because of the surface, though, this will be an absolute romp.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 5-7 games
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Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)
Verdasco and Dolgopolov will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers and for the second time this season when they kick off the playoff tie on Friday afternoon. They faced each other last spring on the clay courts of Rome, where Verdasco won the first set 6-0 before Dolgopolov retired. Their most recent encounter came this summer on the grass of Eastbourne, with the Spaniard prevailing 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
It has been an abbreviated summer for both men. Verdasco went back to clay after Wimbledon, skipped the U.S. Open Series until Winston-Salem, then lost in the first round of the U.S. Open to Ivan Dodig. The world No. 33 is a mere 22-18 for the year. Dolgopolov beat David Goffin in New York then fell in the second round to eventual quarterfinalist Mikhail Youzhny. The 40th-ranked Ukrainian is 20-21 for his 2013 campaign, including 5-7 since Wimbledon. Playing at home on clay, Verdasco should be able to take advantage of a slumping opponent despite not being in great form, himself.
Pick: Verdasco in 4
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ed251137@September 14, 2013 at 9:32 am
Do you keep in view the photo from the US Open?
In the photo, from left to right:
“Tuts”- Rafa calls him ‘my good friend Tuts from Nike Spain’
Benito Pérez-Barbadillo – Rafa’s public relations manager
Rafael Maymo – Rafa’s physiotherapist
Rafa
Carlos Costa – Rafa’s agent
Angel Ruiz-Cotorro – doctor of the Spanish Tennis Federation
Antonio Nadal Homar – Uncle Toni & coach
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1001259_10151719786876026_2105331931_n.jpg
Thanks I know most of the faces but was never sure who was who.
I’ve always found it funny he Djokovic share the same PR man. Rafa must be the dream client – incapable of putting a foot wrong: Djokovic a complete nightmare with his exhibitionist antics and intemperate outbursts.
As for his doctor and physic, they both deserve whatever the Spanish equivalent of a Knighthood is: not only did they bring Rafa back to full health but they also delivered a new, improved version.
typos: ‘he and Djokovic share………………’
‘his doctor and physio………………’
ed251137, you mean “shared” don’t you, past tense? Benito no longer works for Novak, at Novak’s request sometime ago.
RITB, thank you for those links, they are quite useful 😀 you may also try tennistweets.com ..I often use this
Thanks @vamosrafa, will visit. Hope Ricky introduces a Rickster Tweets column soon on Tenngrand! Just his tweets and the conversations he has with those who follow him and those he follows. Because tweets are spur of the moment, I find people reveal more on what they think about issues……..
So folks, what are your thoughts on how Rafa will do rest of season? Will he pick up a title or 2 or go titleless?
How do you folks see Novak n Andy coming back?
And Roger, you think hell finally set things right in indoor season and win a title or 2?
Who do you all think is Fav for WTF title?
Would like to hear your thoughts.
ed251137@September 14, 2013 at 11:54 am
—Rafa must be the dream client – incapable of putting a foot wrong—
He is! Benito Pérez-Barbadillo (who is Rafa’s PR manager since y 2006) said three years ago: “Rafa is a dream to work with, because he understands the work, he gets it. He’s a nice guy, easy to work with. I don’t even have to brief him on things. He says whatever he wants. I just tell him what the situation is.”
After reading this, I had the urge to go take a bath:
http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/the-thomas-drouet-diaries-seven-months-on-the-atp-tour-with-bernard-and-john-tomic/story-fndkzym4-1226719297918
What vile, vile people, Bernard Tomic and his father.
Well done Muzza and GB Davis Cup Team! Like Spain, back among the big boys.
Why thank you kindly RITB 🙂 Must say Andy looked rather good today….”wub.”
He was moving well on the clay. I really, really hope he gives RG a go next year. He’ too good not to surely……………….
Caveat: I have selfish reasons for wanting Muzza to do well at RG……….provide competition to Novak so Rafa has “an easier” time of it there!
Lol RITB 🙂 Would much rather Andy did poorly at RG and defended Wimbles successfully. He’s not gonna win RG any time soon, but Wimbles, repeat totally possible.