A blockbuster third-round matchup between Rafael Nadal and Jerzy Janowicz is on the docket for Thursday in Montreal. The winner will face either Benoit Paire or Marinko Matosevic in the quarterfinals.
Rafael Nadal returned on Wednesday for his first match since a stunner of a first-round Wimbledon loss to Steve Darcis. The fourth-ranked Spaniard took the court at the Rogers Cup against Jesse Levine and prevailed 6-2, 6-0 in an efficient one hour and 12 minutes. The win improved Nadal’s season record to a ridiculous 44-3, which–of course–features another French Open title.
“I didn’t play a perfect match,” admitted Montreal’s No. 4 seed. “I played well. The conditions out there today were very difficult. I will say I did the right things to be in the next round.”
Up next for Nadal is a first-ever showdown with Jerzy Janowicz. The 6’8” Pole booked his spot in the last 16 with three-set victories over Julien Benneteau and Frank Dancevic. Janowicz started 2013 slowly after his breakout at the Paris Masters, but he made a run to the Wimbledon semifinals and his record for the year has improved to a solid 23-14.
This is a dangerous matchup for Nadal because Janowicz–of similar ilk to Robin Soderling–is the kind of player who can bludgeon him off a fast surface with huge serves and forehands. That being said, the world No. 18 has been far from his best so far this week and Nadal conserved energy by blowing past Levine following a first-round bye. A confident former world No. 1 should be able to force too many baseline rallies in this one–even on a court that favors his opponent.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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For such a big man Jerzy moves extraordinarily well.
WOW..what a volley from rafa, robbie koenig called it right, it was Mcenroe like!
agreed ed, JJ is 6’8 and isner is 6’9 but the difference in movement is HUGE
JJ is becoming frustrated. Waiting for the pressure cooker to explode!
JJ reminds me so much of Marat Safin. Very temperamental and unpredictable. He’s going to either do something great in this sport or flame out.
Okay, Rafa now serve this out and get the win!
I was thinking exactly the same thing during that match.
That win meant a lot to Rafa!!!!!!!!!!! And to us his fans.
congrats rafa fans ! this was a really good win 🙂 rafa is still rusty but he surely improved a lot as the match went on.. JJ ended up with 67% pnts won on first serve, now how well did rafa turn this stat around in his favor after JJ winning his first 8/8 serves in set 1..
18 winners 18 U.E is also decent.. 65% pnts won on 2nd serve was the most important stat for rafa..he really exploited JJ’s poor forehand return …
Areas of development for rafa : 1.sharpen the forehand ! making too many errors off it while trying to be aggressive..he is adjusting though..we know conditions very quick here…
2. consistency of the overall game ! only practice is the solution….
p.s, good ,intelligent use of the back hand slice so far in the tournament
you can have your breakfast now NNY 😀
yes you two are right, he does resemble safin in many regards ..lets see how he TRANSFORMS
vamosrafa,
I had my breakfast! I just didn’t want it to come back up! LOL! Sorry to be so graphic, but my stomach was in knots during the first set!
I like your analysis of this match. I don’t know if they showed it where you guys are, but Pam Shrive had an on court interview with Rafa after the match. He was planning on playing some clay court tournaments but he had to get treatment for the knee. She asked about the tape and he said that it wasn’t helping him, so he decided to just stop using it. He equivocated about the knee. He said that it was okay in these first two matches and hopefully he will be okay for Cincy and the USO. So it sounds like he is playing Cincy, at least for now. He didn’t say the knee was fine. I can tell he doesn’t want to talk about it.
Pam reminded him that today is Fed’s birthday. She asked if he wanted to wish him Happy Birthday. He said – is today? Okay, I will text him later! Too funny!
Stats are pretty good. I think this match will give a huge boost to Rafa. He also got some great match play. He is going to play doubles next today. They showed a bit of Paire and Matosevic but switched to a woman’s match.
Now we need to watch Murray and Gulbis!
Okay, deucy it’s your turn to be nervous!
no i could not see that interview so thanks for sharing 🙂 really enjoyed your post…hahaha rafa’s responses are so natural and funny..so he’ll text roger haha..
rafa said yesterday that his knee is ‘not bothering him much’ so I dont think it will be an issue till the USO..at least i hope so !
and yess duece will have nervous moments …andy is playing with poor intensity so i think gulbis has a decent shot
NNY, i really like the fact that rafa is playing doubles..this way he can have nice ROS practice 🙂 funnily, he is up against aisam qureshi (my countryman ) lol
Hey Guys!!! Long time, i dont see eveyone herer! Where is Nadline…………..lol!!!
Congratulations to rafa fans.. Now after andy n del’s early exit I will support rafa to beat djoker n win this title now 🙂
good to see you monalysa 😀 nadline is posting under the name ‘clayqueen’
istomin is playing awesome right now and djo is rusty too…istomin is showing that ball striking he showed in USO 2010 against rafa in rnd 2
Rafa-Marinko preview – https://tenngrand.com/2013/08/09/rogers-cup-qf-previews-and-picks-nadal-vs-matosevic-raonic-vs-gulbis/