Rafael Nadal will kick off his Madrid campaign on Tuesday when he takes the court for second-round action against Andrey Kuznetsov. Milos Raonic and Alexandr Dolgopolov are also aiming for a place in the last 16.
(5) Rafael Nadal vs. Andrey Kuznetsov
Nadal will begin his quest for a fifth Mutua Madrid Open title on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Spaniard’s chances to lift a winner’s trophy at any tournament involving Novak Djokovic may have seemed unlikely at best when the 2016 calendar turned from March to April. But the story is a much different one now, as Nadal’s streak of two consecutive tournament titles coincided with an immediate loss by Novak Djokovic in Monte-Carlo (to Jiri Vesely). The 14-time major champion triumphed in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, beating the likes of Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, Fabio Fognini, and Kei Nishikori in the process.
Up next for Nadal is a third career meeting with Kuznetsov, who is 0-2 lifetime in the head-to-head series. The Russian had the misfortune of facing Nadal on the clay courts of Roland Garros last season and it resulted in a 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 thrashing. Kuznetsov was far more competitive earlier this year on the hard courts of Doha, where he eventually succumbed 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Soaring to a career-high ranking of No. 39 in the world, Kuznetsov is the midst of what is shaping up to be by far his best season on tour. He is 16-8 at the ATP level after taking care of Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-4 on Monday. Unfortunately for the underdog, his best shot against Nadal came four months ago. A change in surface and a significant upswing in Nadal’s form and confidence should make for a far more straightforward affair than what transpired in Doha.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 7 games or fewer
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(11) Milos Raonic vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Raonic and Dolgopolov will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers on Tuesday. They split their two previous meetings, with Dolgopolov prevailing 6-3, 6-4 at the 2014 Indian Wells Masters and Raonic getting the job done 7-6(2), 6-4 in the same event one year later.
Despite missing all of February with an adductor problem, Raonic is third in the current race to London thanks to a title in Brisbane, a semifinal performance at the Australian Open, a runner-up finish in Indian Wells, and quarterfinal showings in Miami and Monte-Carlo. The 10th-ranked Canadian improved to 21-4 in 2016 by defeating Thomaz Bellucci 7-6(4), 6-1 on Monday. Dolgopolov advanced on Sunday, when he outlasted Steve Johnson 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). The 29th-ranked Ukrainian is 13-7 for the season and coming off a quarterfinal appearance in Barcelona. Clay would normally be advantageous to Dolgopolov in this matchup, but relatively fast conditions in Madrid should allow Raonic to maintain his momentum without too much trouble.
Pick: Raonic in 2
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who ya got?
MILOSSHHHH… Get the job done in 3 sets…
Keep calm, stay focused, be confident and believe in yourself, Rafa!
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What a start! Awesome first serves
The king is rolling!
Nadal 1-0*
Nadal *2-0
Nadal 3-0*
Nadal 4-1*
Nadal 5-2*
Nadal 6-3
Nadal 6-3, 1-1*
Nadal 6-3, 2-2*
Nadal 6-3, 3-3*
Nadal 6-3, *4-3
Nadal 6-3, 5-3*
Nadal winning is a no brainer. Milos vs. Dolgopolov is tougher. Am saying Milos in 3.
Rafa is off to a great start in this match.
Finally Kuznetsov gets on the board after a struggle.
More and more players using flat forehands down the line against Rafa and when executed they have good success… Rafa must be careful of this and be ready to counter..
I noticed that players are doing that more against Rafa. Rafa does have to be ready for that.
absolutely! Fog did that with great success… Nishi in the final…now Kuznetsov trying but missing as Rafa’s keeping a good length.
Rafa’s forehand is on fire. Great inside in one for a winner.
The inside-in and CC forehands are back to their best…just need to keep hitting them more regularly….just a matter of more match play
On the tennis channel Gimelstob was asked where he thinks Rafa will finish this year in the rankings. He said 2 or 3. No one is going to catch Novak this year for #1.
no, Gimelstob said 2 or 3 more slams for Rafa is what his goal should be
obviously nobody is catching Djokovic for No. 1
I thought he was asked what ranking. That’s why he said no one will catch Novak.
It was definitely year-end ranking. Shiras asked where he sees him in the rankings at the end of the year.
either way, not an exactly an enlightening or worthwhile discussion
i mean, like what OTHER ranking number would be Nadal’s ceiling in 2016?
I don’t know about that. Rafa is only 2,300 behind Djoko in the race and there are still 3 slams left and 7 M1000s.
Watch out! There’s the DTL forehand for a winner!
Rafa’s Set 1 stats:
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🙂
Best serving day he has had in a LONG time
Rafa has that young and determined look in his face! Reminds me of 2008 Rafa! 🙂
Vamos Champ!
THe inside-in forehand is a total killer today
3600 RPM… STRONG penetration…into the corner…. Rafa’s forehand DTL… impossible to deal with this combo
First bad game of the match from Rafa…kind of
Break points conversion still at low rate…Rafa needs to step it up!