Rafael Nadal’s slump continued on Thursday with a third-round loss to Fabio Fognini at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Nadal’s 6-4, 7-6(6) setback was his second of the season to Fognini–both on red clay.
Highlights:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCrDzpSl4lI]
The result further cements Novak Djokovic’s status as the French Open favorite. Djokovic has never triumphed at Roland Garros, but he followed up two straight Masters 1000 titles in Indian Wells and Miami by lifting the winner’s trophy in Monte-Carlo.
As for Nadal, he may have more to worry about more than merely the French Open. Only three clay-court tournaments remain on his 2015 schedule and all three are either a month or less away, meaning the Spaniard is unlikely to be in peak form for any one of the trio. He is currently eighth in the race to London, fewer than 100 points ahead of Milos Raonic for the final spot.
So which is more likely: Nadal winning the French Open or not participating in the World Tour Finals (that means either not qualifying or not playing as a result of injury or any other reason)?
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