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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I’m gutted – was hoping Rafa would top the league table for triple bagels dished up in one match ?
he had never had 6-0, 6-0 in a match before?
You are mean, ed251137!
RITB: I’m not sure but I’m guessing a triple bagel straight sets victory would have been an Open Era record. Ha Ha. Glad Rafa eased up a bit in the third set for Stav’s sake. He was very good humoured about it wasn’t he. Had a good laugh when AC came onto the court to give Rafa some coaching tips during the last set. Rafa didn’t look very amused.
told you, now stako got on the board…and I am a bit excited with that Ricky’s lousy score prediction LOL.
Vamos Stako you can do it.
see he holds….that’s how far you can GO Rafa.
1-6 is already written on the wall at Ricky’s predicted. LOL
RITB, you said it man! Definitely alien. He is getting better with age. Benjamin Button!
RT @alex_willis: “Nadal just might love clay more than Patrick Swayze &Demi Moore in 90s rom-com Ghost”
damn Stako, didn’t you put extra exercise with your backhand before you come to the match?
bah double fault !!!
what kind of serve was that, why Stako missed it?
@ricky, rafa had 6-0 6-0 against monaco in the 4th rnd of 2012 RG but those were sets 2 and 3….
I just went downstairs for dinner and just came back. rafa has lost FOUR games :O
exciting 4-4, Rafa to serve for the match.
Vamos Rafa !!!
Nadal breaks, crowd breaks out in the YMCA
oh, thanks RITB! you must have made a mistake with your name/email that’s why its awaiting moderation
scroll up and check, @vamosrafa, Ricky’s cleared it now!
2-0 Espana!
Vamos! Over to you, T-Rob and Marc-Lo………………
#RafaNeedsRest
nice one, Rafa
Congrats Rafa fans, My man Stako will learn from this beatdown from King of Clay. If it only on grass, he will crush Rafa like he did to Roger 🙂
King of Clay showed some mercy in the 3rd set.
Spain vs Ukraine 2:0! Let’s hope the Armada will get the job done tomorrow.
Augusta…
no no no, I still want to see Rafa to play in the rubber. Can’t get enough of Rafa.