Rafael Nadal’s French Open fortnight will heat up on Thursday with an intriguing second-round contest against Dominic Thiem. Andy Murray and Marinko Matosevic are also looking for a place in the last 32.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Dominic Thiem
Heading into this season, neither fans nor players–at least not the majority–could have been familiar with Thiem. Fast forward five months and the 20-year-old Austrian has made a major name for himself. He will have his biggest opportunity yet to make headlines when performs on Court Philippe Chatrier during second-round action at the French Open on Thursday. Thiem, who started 2014 at No. 139 in the world and is now 57th, earned his 11th main-draw match win of the season with a 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-2 defeat of Paul-Henri Mathieu.
What is without question an opportunity for Thiem is also–undoubtedly–a terrible second-round draw. Nadal is 60-1 lifetime at Roland Garros, is the four-time defending champion, and has won eight titles at the event overall. The top-ranked Spaniard got his campaign started on Tuesday by routing American wild card Robby Ginepri 6-0, 6-3, 6-0. This will be far more competitive, because Thiem is in the midst of an outstanding clay-court swing and he has the power game that can trouble Nadal. It remains to be seen, however, how the underdog’s one-handed backhand holds up against the No. 1 seed’s heavy topspin. Most of the best tennis sportsbooks have Nadal as a -250 favorite to beat Thiem in straight sets. The favorite may do it, but it won’t be before an extremely entertaining fight.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 11-14 games
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Marinko Matosevic vs. (7) Andy Murray
For the first time ever, Matosevic finds himself in round two of a Grand Slam. At long last, the 13th time proved to be the charm for the 28-year-old Australian. He had been a well-documented 0-12 lifetime at majors prior to his arrival at Roland Garros, but he finally got the monkey off his back with a 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-7(1), 7-5 victory over Dustin Brown on Tuesday. Matosevic owns a decent 12-13 record for the season.
Up next for the world No. 66 is Murray, who won their only previous encounter 6-2, 6-2 last summer on the grass courts of Queen’s Club. The eighth-ranked Scot booked his spot in the last 64 by taking out Andrey Golubev 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Murray’s year has been hampered by recovery from surgery, but he won two matches earlier this month in Rome before testing Nadal in an exciting three-setter. Matosevic will much prefer facing Murray on clay instead of grass, but you have to think he is content just to be in this situation–finally–and his game is likely to be broken down by Murray’s counter-punching.
Pick: Murray in 3
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