Sebastian Korda will get another shot at his idol, Rafael Nadal, this time at the Indian Wells Masters during second-round action on Saturday. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas kicks off his campaign against Jack Sock.
(4) Rafael Nadal vs. Sebastian Korda
Nadal and Korda will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in round two of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday. Korda was just happy to be on the court with his idol at the 2020 French Open, where Nadal cruised through their fourth-round encounter 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 on his way to the title.
The 21-year-old American, who defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday night, should be able to handle the occasion a little bit better this time around with some more experience under his belt. Plus this isn’t on clay. That being said, to say that he once again isn’t catching Nadal at a good time would be a gross understatement. Nadal has been the dominant player on tour so far in 2022, with a 15-0 record that includes a second Australian Open triumph. The 35-year-old Spaniard feels right at home, too, in Indian Wells–where he is a three-time champion. When you add in the fact that Korda doesn’t have a big enough serve to dictate play against Nadal, this is almost certainly going to be another beatdown.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 5-7 games
(WC) Jack Sock vs. (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Like Korda, Sock was a winner on what was a productive Thursday for the American contingent (five men advanced to the second round). Needing a wild card at No. 147 in the world, Sock benefited from a friendly draw against clay-court specialist Juan Manuel Cerundolo and dominated 6-1, 6-1.
Things will get a lot tougher in the form of Tsitsipas. Although the fifth-ranked Greek may not be in absolute peak form at the moment, he has already won 14 matches in 2022 and he reached the Indian Wells quarterfinals last fall. Conditions in the desert are favorable for his game, just as they are for Sock. Unfortunately for the injury-plagued underdog, he has not beaten anyone ranked better than 28th since the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals. Needless to say, that does not bode well for his chances against Tsitsipas.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 2
WWW?
Just hope Rafa wins! Vamos!!!
So no one is watching the match! Rafa seems to be struggling, lost second set 6:1!! Hope he’s ok!
Rafa gets broken! Wow, seems will be his first loss for the year!sigh come on Rafa!!
I am watching. I am furious. This is beyond embarrassing. They said on VB that Rafa played golf before the match.
I don’t know what the Hollis going on but this is just an absolute disgrace.
Lol! Ha ha, Played golf!! So the golf interfered with is swing?!
haha, he is human. Can’t blame the guy for playing a relaxing game of golf. Don’t think there is any shame in losing this match to an inspired opponent. It is sometimes not easy to find your best tennis in opening matches. It is 5-5 30-40 now and Rafa is trying hard. I have no idea how this is going to end
What the HELL is going on!
yeah looks like he is about to experience his first defeat of 2022.
Been a disappointing performance but very played, Seb Korda
5-2 deficit reduced to 5-4. The level hasn’t been there today but he is fighting hard. Can he break again? Certainly needs help from Korda. If it’s a few big serves and forehands from Korda then GSM it is.
Yeah, not watching in TV but keeping score! AS long as its not injury good but still!
lol. Rafa’s backhand stole that game! 5-5! Can he add this to his collection of incredible comebacks? 5-5
Korda’s returning has been amazing. Rafa’s second serve under tremendous pressure. 0-30 again!
Big second serve to draw an error from Korda. Advantage Rafa! This guy just won’t go away. HOLDS for 6-5! Starting to get a feeling that he’s going to somehow find a way to steal this.
Well in typical Rafa style, he broke back to go up 6:5 but let’s c what happens next,lol!! Vamos!
I want Rafa to employ that backhand slice a bit more.
I am not okay with this. I have no idea if the golf game had anything to do with it. They just said it on VB.
This is a big event. Ranking points to earn. A prestige event. You want him to be #1 again? I don’t think so.
Here we go, 3 match points!!
Don’t care about Rafa being #1, just want him ti win the important tourneys!! The ranking is secondary as long as he is in top 5!
100%. No.1 is a bonus. If it happens, amazing. If it doesn’t, I don’t care at all. Frankly, not winning IW is no big deal either. I’d definitely want him to win at least two tournaments on clay before RG to build that momentum and make it 22 there.
Oh boy!!! Say what u like about Rafa and how annoying it is to watch him play at times!! But the glory about Rafa”s game is how well he plays the important points!! Vamos!’
I am a wreck! This gets to be too hard! It is annoying to watch him play when he struggles against a nobody. Very frustrating.
I am just relieved that he is still in this.
Wow, 16-0 . This was the closest he got to defeat this year.
Feel bad for Korda, he seems a nice guy with a good attitude. Commentators were saying he is a big admirer of Rafa and you could see Rafa also felt a bit sad for him when he was leaving the court.
Rafa says he played his worst match of the year but Korda’s ball was difficult to control. Admitted Korda made mistakes at the end but his solid play also saved the day.
He vows to improve for the next matches and I have full faith he will.
Well done, champ! let’s recover that level and give a beating to Dan Evans.
Korda choked trying to close out his idol, Rafa!! I wonder how Rafa feels having to play someone who is a fan of ures! Must be awkward, no?!
Well they just said on the tennis channel that Rafa was limping on that foot.