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
[polldaddy poll=7306909]
Leave a Reply