Rafael Nadal will be back in action at the French Open on Wednesday, with an all-lefty contest against Corentin Moutet next up for the Spaniard. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev could have a tough test on his hands in the form of Sebastian Baez.
(WC) Corentin Moutet vs. (5) Rafael Nadal
Alexander Zverev had this to say about Nadal during the German’s initial French Open press conference: “We watched him practice and all of a sudden his forehand is just 20 miles an hour faster. He moves lighter on his feet. There is something about this court that makes him play 30 percent better just being on this court.”
Zverev may be on to something. Nadal arrived at Roland Garros dealing with a foot injury and having failed to win either Masters 1000 event in Madrid or Rome. Nonetheless, nothing but the normal Roland Garros version of Nadal rolled to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 beatdown of Jordan Thompson on Monday afternoon.
The 13-time champion will hope for more of the same on Wednesday against Corentin Moutet. This could have been Nadal vs. Stan Wawrinka in a showdown of multi-Grand Slam winners, but Moutet defeated the 37-year-old Swiss in four sets. That marked the 139th-ranked Frenchman’s sixth ATP-level victory of the season, but it was his first since January. Moutet is in lackluster form at best right now and a first-ever matchup with Nadal is never easy–especially not at Roland Garros. The 23-year-old may not even fare better than Thompson did in round one.
Pick: Nadal in 3
(3) Alexander Zverev vs. Sebastian Baez
Zverev may need to be 30 percent better than he has been this season–which is solid but unspectacular–because Baez is a tough second-round opponent. The 21-year-old is close to being seeded at Grand Slams, having soared to No. 36 in the world thanks to 19 of his 22 lifetime main-tour match wins coming already in 2022. Baez’s clay-court exploit’s include a runner-up effort in Santiago, the title in Estoril, and two other quarterfinals. He opened in Paris on Monday with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Dusan Lajovic.
There is also plenty of good news for Zverev, however. The third-ranked German reached the Madrid championship match and the Rome semis. He has lost only once to an opponent outside the top 10 since Indian Wells and he has not lost at Roland Garros prior to the fourth round since 2017. Zverev will also take confidence from having beaten Baez 7-6(3), 6-3 a couple of weeks ago in Rome. This could be one of the more entertaining matches of the entire second round, but Zverev will probably once again hit a little bit too big for the diminutive Argentine.
Pick: Zverev in 4
WWW?
Rafa gets the night match. Am relieved it’s tomorrow rather than against a more difficult player
Vamos, Rafa!!!
Tsonga retired today but unfortunately got injury but gave a very good account of himself in match against Rudd!! Rudd was very gracious in his speech, but he mentioned Tsonga”s match with Rafa at AO. Didn’t realize Rudd was such a Rafa fan, lol!
But it was a very lovely ceremony for Joe today, very touching. It was great to c the tributes given by the top 4 tennis players, it was good to c Roger. All the best Jo Willy. I’ll miss him 😁
TSonga AO 2008 win, Del Potro US Open 2009 win, James Blake IW win
Everyone mentions these matches when it comes to Rafa..
I know and they never mention any of Federer’s or Djokovic’s losses. The other one is Sod’s R16 win at 2009 RG.
I just knew that the Tsonga 2009 AO win would feature in his farewell.
Lol, but they also mentioned Roger”s loss at Wimby and Novak”s loss at AO which I never knew of. But yes it’s true, it’s always a big deal when one beats Rafa as he’s considered one of the toughest to beat……isn’t that y he’s called the Spanish bull?! 😄
How comes no one has mentioned this! 😃
https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177746/rafael-nadal/
It’s been mentioned on another tennis forum I’m on.
A friend of mine, another Rafa fanatic, who told me about it. I’m very happy about that obviously!! Vamos, my champ!!! 😁
Zverev saves a match point!
Come on Rafa! We need a nice quick match!
I hate these stupid night matches
Why so late?
Any, I’m there blabbing away on the Alcaraz thread not realizing Rafa has already started 😂🤣🤣
Chance for an early break! Vamos, Rafa!!
Moutet seems a sweet guy!
But I want this to be tres vite!!
Amazing French hey?!😀😀
How many tennis players who claim to idolize Rafa? Let me c who I can remember:
Korda
Moute
Swaitek
Barbosa
Who else am I missing?
Kasatkina and Rudd
Oh yes, Rudd!! Yes he did mention it yesterday after his match with Tsonga!
This Moutet, his groundies r solid as his center of gravity is low and is fast! Rafa on the other hand needs to work on his first serves!! Sigh!
That Moutet guy is playing well, spreading the points all over the court. Hope Rafa doesn’t get to run too much!
Meanwhile Korda wins in 3!!
Lovely bh by Rafa!
Y is Rafa making so many UFEs? He is yet to get his range!!! Even his return is off!! He’s missing routine balls!! Vanos, Rafa!! Vamos!!
Rafa is playing awefull!! What is this?!
Rafa is making some ues
Needs to makes some first serves
Yet again rafa’s net game saves him!
Rafa’s fh is not in synch. Sigh!
How many ues has Rafa made??!
Good thing rafa’s net game has been brill because the timing on his groundies is off
Sorry Amy, Rafa seems to have settled a bit after winning first set. But his first serves need to improve, I have no doubt it will as time goes. He surely is getting a workout though by this Moutet!! Nice match thus far! It’s great to c how Rafa is able to raise his game when needs be!! 😄😁😆
Amy is it me or the French r enjoying this too much? 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣