Rafael Nadal has his eye on his first-ever Paris Masters title, but he first has to get past countryman Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarterfinals. Embattled U.S. Open finalist Alexander Zverev will also be in action against Stan Wawrinka.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (9) Pablo Carreno Busta
On paper, this isn’t the most exciting matchup on Friday’s docket. Nadal and Carreno Busta have met on six other occasions; not only has Nadal won every single one of them, but the last four featured an entire basketful of bakery products (four 6-1 sets). Carreno Busta has taken one set out of 14 played.
Despite two losses to his countryman in 2020 alone, there is some good news for PCB. First, Nadal isn’t quite as good indoors as he is on outdoor hard courts or clay. Next, Carreno Busta has had an outstanding fall–with a semifinal showing at the U.S. Open and a quarterfinal run at the French Open a couple of weeks ago. He will surely go into Friday’s match with more confidence than usual.
It’s too hard to pick against Nadal against an opponent against whom he matches up so well. But since it’s at an event that Nadal has traditionally struggled at, PCB is likely to have more chances than he usually does.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 3
Ricky pick: Nadal in 2 losing 8 games or fewer
(12) Stan Wawrinka vs. (4) Alexander Zverev
This match could produce some highly entertaining tennis. Wawrinka put on an impressive display in his third-round match against Andrey Rublev. The Swiss veteran is in good form, and he’s moving well. Zverev is also in good form, with a pair of titles from the two Cologne tournaments.
Of course, Zverev is also under immense pressure due to recent domestic violence allegations made by former girlfriend Olya Sharypova. She has told her story on social media and to a number of journalists; any match Zverev is a part of is bound to have the tennis overshadowed by the accusations.
The German is probably fortunate that there is no crowd in Paris to voice its disapproval. As it is, he and Wawrinka will be playing to an empty stadium–owing to the French lockdown to control a second COVID outbreak. With Zverev distracted and Wawrinka in excellent form, expect the veteran to come out of this one with the win.
Cheryl pick: Wawrinka in 3
Ricky pick: Wawrinka in 3
WWW?
OOpsie. 2 Nadal-PCB polls and none for Stan-Sasha.
Nadal in 2, Stan in 3.
Ricky called himself “Cheryl” again, too. 🙂
I shall fix.
Wawrinka in 3
Rafa in 2
More bakery products….Rafa in 2; Wka over a distracted Sasha….in 2.
Be focused, be confident, be strong, Rafa!
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Rafa, not ure day today it seems!
Yes it is! Vamos Rafa!! And grats to Shortman on making the WTF. But Rafa has to play either Zverev or Wawa next. Hope they wear each other out today!!
Yes, I think rafa is getting better by day. And he should be fresh. He hardly played al year. Een before RG he played 3 matches. And he needs to get into rhythm if he is to play WTF as you cant be sluggish at the start there.
Rafa is so good. He doesn’t need to win the first set. He is really much better than anyone else. He has superior confidence, experience, knowledge of his own game, and adjustments needed to make playing familiar and unfamiliar opponents. It takes him hardly any time to make adjustments. He is strong and healthy back to back 3 set matches is not a strain on him – he is so comfortable out there. Such a pleasure to watch him!
Two plus hours on court wasn’t that taxing, so it’s good that Rafa could think his way out of troubles to win in the end. But, he has to be better in his next round as Zverev is no slouch on these courts; and if Rafa gets to the final it’ll be either Raonic or Medvedev, both big servers who are tough to play against on indoor HCs.
I hope Rafa wins the title here which will give him lots of confidence going to the WTF. I hope this is the year that Rafa finally wins the WTF!
Me too! WTF, vamos!!
SF.
Keep your mind focused, remain confident, be strong and show off your fighting spirit, Rafa!
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