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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Thatsaboy!!!!!!!!!!! The Rafa of old getting out of jail.
Wow! Rafa breaks back! TB!
does this guy ever miss a drop shot??!!!!
I cant think of anyone else who uses the drop shot to such good effect
Rafa needs to get a grip!!!!
JJ is out thinking Rafa in this TB. He’s killing him with the drop shot, too. Not good.
I said this was going to be tough for a Rafa who was not match ready. Now we see why. This guy has no fear and is bringing it.
YESSS !!PHHEWWW I was sooo nervous and agitated !! rafa was so unlucky on that 6-5 set point …but there is NOBODY better than rafa to just ignore these bad lucks and move on… other than winning the set, another very positive thing was how rafa was reading JJ’s serves so much better ! he was having much better ROS strikes
By rights Rafa should have lost that TB!
Why do JJ’s net cords keep falling on the right side of the net but not Rafa’s?
JJ’s has a poor forehand return..rafa has been taking full advantage..esp on the duece court
Looks like it’s going to be a three set match.
that was nice gift from rafa ..terrible service game, worst of the match … he is getting more meaningful return of serves now but he needs luck to get the break back
very often when rafa survives going down a double break , he comes closes to breaking back ..I hope it happens right here
comes close*
That was beyond nerve wracking! So Rafa finally pulled it out. But then he comes out and gets broken in the second set.
Anyone still think he will win in two sets? This guy never goes away.
wow, majestic from rafa ! too perfect points 0-30 !
so this is what happens when you try to be stupid on 2nd serves.your going to save set point by serving a 184 kph 2nd serve on one occassion but your going to gift crucial points by double faulting too ! 6-6 point in the breaker, and now these two costly double faults…. JJ has to control this wild risk taking if he is to improve to the level of the top guys
No, let him play reckless tennis and Rafa will win! I noticed that about him. He will go for I on the second serve and sometimes it costs him.
YAY! Rafa breaks back! This match is really getting to me. I may lose that nice breakfast!
Come on Rafa! Do it in two!
hahah NNY, i hope you get your breakfast soon and I get my dinner ! .. Rafa is returning serves much better now… ahh good stuff from JJ ..