Rafael Nadal will kick off his bid for a 10th Monte-Carlo title on Wednesday, when he sees Kyle Edmund on the other side of the net. The second-round schedule is also highlighted by Andy Murray’s opener against Gilles Muller.
Kyle Edmund vs. (4) Rafael Nadal
Nadal will be playing for the first time since losing the Miami final to Roger Federer when he takes the court against Edmund during second-round action at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Wednesday. The seventh-ranked Spaniard is still in search of his first title this season, but he is second behind Federer in the race to the World Tour Finals. Nadal also finished runner-up at the Australian Open and the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in addition to his Miami performance.
Edmund set up a first-ever showdown against this week’s No. 4 seed by beating fellow Brit Dan Evans 7-5, 6-1 on Monday. The 22-year-old has climbed to 45th in the rankings (five spots off his career-high) thanks in part to eight ATP-level match victories during the 2017 campaign. Unfortunately for Edmund, this is just about the worst possible second-round draw he could have been dealt. Not only is Nadal 58-4 lifetime in Monte-Carlo with nine titles, but he is also 19-2 against players not named Federer this season–and Edmund sure isn’t Federer.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 5-7 games
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(1) Andy Murray vs. Gilles Muller
Murray has played his part in an alarming, injury-plagued slump for the top two men in the world this season–or perhaps “not played” would be more accurate. Both Murray and Djokovic skipped Miami with elbow injuries, so the top-ranked Scot has not taken the court since losing his Indian Wells opener to Vasek Pospisil in early March.
Up first for Murray in Monte-Carlo on Wednesday is a sixth career meeting with Muller, who is a hopeless 0-5 in the head-to-head series. Murray, 11-2 in total sets at the Luxembourgian’s expense, most recently cruised 6-3, 6-2 at the 2015 Canada Masters. The two veterans have never faced each other on clay, which is the worst surface for both players–but especially for Muller. That being said, the world No. 28 earned his place in this matchup with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 rout of Tommy Robredo on Tuesday. Murray, though, has never had any trouble breaking down big servers–Muller included–and he should do the same in this one as long he is close to 100 percent.
Pick: Murray in 2
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He’s not looking sharp now and that’s his problem these days, plays well the first set and then struggles in the second. Even on clay he’s like that!
poor set from Rafa, good stuff from Edmund.
Rafa really lost his way. Sometimes it’s just hard to explain why he plays such tentative tennis when under pressure.
Exactly Lucky!If his opponents’s level are not high and make a lot of UE’s then he will play brilliantly…but if his opponents start to up their level then we will see Rafa start to struggle and his level will drop automatically…
Oh dear, a third set! Who says Rafa will not lose a set here?
Rafa’s serve is still his biggest problem! He only wins 29% of his second serve this set! Really poor!
Then why had he just given up four service points in his first four service games?
His problem is mental.
I am SO not ready for an upset here… so please Rafa
I think he’s still nervous, not very sure of himself! I think he badly needs a title, then he’ll be more confident and starts believing in his game and in himself.
He has to fight fire with fire now and not let Kyle dictate.
If Rafa loses here, it’ll be very disappointing for him and his supporters. It seems he’s not able to play offensive tennis these days, can’t seem to read the game well and so is hesitant at times. He clearly has lost some of his power and his serve is not helping him.
I just remembered that Rafa was playing today. I just turned it on to see that Rafa lost the second set. So much for a routine match!
Bageled in the first set, but wins the second set? This is concerning.
No hasn’t lost power. Look at his shots in practice,
No anxiety in practice.
#ArmchairDoctorIsIn
VR, he has. His FHDTL lacks depth and Kyle is able to get to it and returns with interest. Maybe it’s his footwork that’s not up to par, caught with wrong footing at times.
Kyle just hits as big and as hard as possible not unlike Sod, and Rafa is overpowered at times. Perhaps it’s their first meeting, and Rafa tries to bring Kyle to the net but not knowing Kyle can play well at the net.
This first match is a wake up call for Rafa, that he has to stay focused and maintains his consistency, not allowing it to drop by much if not his opponent will take advantage.
Mr. Steve and TENNIS were right.
(TENNIS should have placed his bet and heeded my advice after all.)
Rafa must break here at 0-40,
Federer is starting to laugh for 10 minutes.
Just praying he wins this match here. He can improve in the next :/
That was crucial for Rafa to get the break. Now he has to hold his serve and get this done.
Edmund just hit his 23rd forehand winner of the match.
VR, his next opponent is A Zverev, not much better for Rafa, I’m afraid!
break! phewwwwwww
Not really a meaningful break unless he can consolidate.
#Tennis101
#RafaVsRafa
Now Rafa down 0-30.
Federer is reconsidering playing a warm up clay event, based on this performance.
Edmund being aggressive and going for it.
0-40.
Edmund breaks back.
Trouble.
Rafa with chances to break again.
Anyone could play agressive and go for it when Rafa (or anyone else) hits short.
Rafa breaks again. Can he consolidate?
Am guessing Rafa is leaving a lot of short balls.
yup
Am guessing he doesn’t do this in practice.
0-40 TBP.
The ArmChair Doctor is in.
There. Wasn’t a meaningful break.
Rafa is serving very poorly, not being able to consolidate after breaking serves! So terrible!
Why.
Song for Rafa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_qMagfZtv8
Edmund was not waiting for Rafa to hit short. He was taking the ball early and making it happen. He earned that break by going for his shots and not giving Rafa time.
Wrong. First winner was from a short return from Rafa in the middle of the service box LOL.
Second “winner” was a net chord (wasn’t “going for it”).
Third winner came after two consecutive short returns from rafa inside the service line.
Fourth winner to break at love came after a weak second serve, a short ball return inside the service box, and a final return three feet inside the baseline.
So Rafa did nothing to deserve that service game against any opponent.
Thanks NNY but VR confirmed my guess was right about Rafa hitting short.
Just went into TennisTV to confirm.
Rad did serve poorly; he couldn’t get his first serve in and then his second serve is poor.
Why is Rafa always hitting right back at Kyle?
Please Rafa, tries some one two punch tennis!
Rafa holds!
Rafa playing so tentative and not looking for a winner much and just wait for his opponent to make an error..poor strategy IMO and very risky..
Is it a “strategy” to play tentative MA?
Rafa will always be vulnerable to be have tough matches against players like Edmund. But most of the time he will still successfully break them down in the end, because he’s Rafa.
Edmund has been playing like he has the belief he can win. Almost 30 forehand winners.
He’ll have to do waaaaaay better vs Sascha.
(Assuming he can actually serve this one out which is no given when he is like this.)