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]
who ya got?
Rafa in 2.
Vamos Rafa!
JJ’s not looked nearly as good as he did at Wimbles.
Rafa in 2
I am cautious with my predictions here. In the poll I voted for Rafa in two. But I won’t be surprised if it goes three. I didn’t see much of Jerzy’s last match. I thought that other guy would win. But I heard that he is struggling with shoulder problems. I hope that keeps him from bombing big serves all over the place. Playing someone like this always makes me nervous. Rafa is still rusty with his game. I thought he got a nice workout in his first match, but Levine didn’t have the weapons to challenge Rafa.
This match will be at 9:30 am for me! Breakfast with Rafa!
“Breakfast with Rafa”, I like that! I will be having dinner with him!
Rafa says the conditions were very blustery so he couldn’t play atthe level he would have liked.
Hmm, is our Rafa engaging in a bit of mind-games? He bagelled a guy for goodness’ sakes! I think what this says is Rafa is feeling good about himself, confident and raring to go.
Watch out, field!
Cant get used to seeing you as Clayqueen. Why did you have to change?
Lol you two can EAT while watching your favourite..
#Shocking
.Andy fans are usually busy being sick while he plays
#TooTrue
deucy,
Too funny!
Aperitif time for me!
The the knee must be in better shape – it was not bandaged yesterday.
If JJ’s serve is working I think it will go to 3 sets.
6-7, 7-6, 6-4
I am surprised that Ferrer lost to Bogomolov so easily – 62 64.
Ferrer has gone off the boil since Roland Garros 🙁
I guess he is more comfortable being the hunter than the hunted.
ed251137,
David Ferrer has been struggling with an ankle injury. He injured it before Wimbledon and complained about the injury throughout the tournament. After that, he withdrew from the Swedish Open (where he was the defending champion). Before Montreal, he hadn’t competed since Wimbledon.
Didn’t realise he is carrying an injury. That’s so rare for him.
9.30pm at my place. so “Desserts with Rafa” for me
I am on a diet, Rafa will have my full attention.
Keep your mind focused and show your fighting spirit, Rafa !
ROFL
RITB: posted in the wrong place. Question was obviously addressed to Nadline
I know…..
who here lives in Estonia?
Ricky,
don’t your tracking&traffic tools show this?
yeah, and Estonia always has like the 5th most hits on this site every day!!! Hence why I want to know.
I was wondering why Ricky needed to know!
Maybe he wants to relocate to Estonia?
Perhaps he has a crush on Sabine 😉
my bad. I was confusing Lisicki with Kanepi ;-(
http://m.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/08/same-they-ever-were/48659/
plz read this article 😀
BTW I too loved the outfit of rafa 10/10 <3
Sorry, what does10/10<3 mean?
hahaha
hahah i think she means 10/10 marks for the outfit and <3 is a heart !
i missed the toss guys, did rafa deliberately choose to serve himself or did JJ chose to return? good opening game from rafa.. oh my 4 huge serves from 0-30 by JJ
very weird that Rafa served first. Neither one should have chose that.
rafa is in with a tactic..breaking the JJ forehand.. he is also serving intelligently.,a lot of body jammers and most of both 1st and 2nd serves have been directed at the JJ forehand… rafa has done his homework
and yes rare to see rafa serving first..
JJ is serve is annoying me lol..too many free points !
2nd serve kickers to JJ’s forehand have been quite effective so far… rafa has not at been able to have meaningful strikes on JJ’s 1st servs…has lost 8/8 points returning them so far…gotta improve that rafa..