Nadal takes on Gimeno-Traver in second VTR Open match

The comeback continues on Friday, when Rafael Nadal returns to action in Vina del Mar. Nadal will be going up against Daniel Gimeno-Traver during quarterfinal action.

Rafael Nadal will be back on his clay-court stomping grounds when he battles Daniel Gimeno-Traver in the quarterfinals of the VTR Open on Friday evening.

This is the second career meeting between the two Spaniards, who are separated by just one year in age (Gimeno-Traver is 27 and Nadal 26). Their only previous encounter came at the 2011 Barcelona event, where Nadal rolled 6-1, 6-1.

Gimeno-Traver, however, is playing fine tennis at the moment. The underdog registers just 12 spots off his career-high at No. 64 in the world and he is in good shape to make a return trip to the Top 60 on Monday (he lost in the Vina del Mar opening round last year). Gimeno-Traver, seeded seventh, earned his spot in the last eight with victories over Joao Sousa and Albert Montanes.

Nadal, of course, is contesting his first tournament since losing to Lukas Rosol in the second round of Wimbledon. The 11-time Grand Slam champion returned on Wednesday and got things started in solid but unspectacular fashion, taking care of Federico Delbonis 6-3, 6-2. Nadal, entered as both a wild card and the top seed, also has two doubles wins under his belt alongside partner Juan Monaco.

“I need days and time to get my game back, but so far the feeling on court is great,” the world No. 5 said after beating Delbonis. “For now the most important thing is to spend as much time as possible on court. This victory allows me to play at least two more matches, singles and doubles. To practice is one thing but to play is totally different.”

One can only assume that Nadal will improve from match to match, so Gimeno-Traver could be in trouble. Count on Nadal heating up just a bit and cruising past his countryman in two quick sets.

Pick: Nadal 6-2, 6-2

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