Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta will collide in a blockbuster all-Spanish battle on Wednesday at the Rome Masters. Stefanos Tsitsipas is kicking off his campaign against Italy’s own Jannik Sinner.
Pablo Carreno Busta vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Nadal will be back in match action for the first time since winning the Acapulco title in late February when he takes the court at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Wednesday night. The world No. 2 skipped the Cincinnati Masters and U.S. Open, instead choosing to avoid the United States and train on clay.
His upcoming opponent and fellow Spaniard made a much different decision, and it paid off for Carreno Busta in the form of a semifinal run at the U.S. Open. But this will be a relatively quick turnaround for the world No. 18, and a change in surface also won’t be easy. Throw in the fact that Carreno Busta is 0-5 lifetime in the head-to-head series (1-11 in total sets) and the underdog is really up against the wall here. This is a marquee matchup because of what Carreno Busta did in New York, but on the court in should not amount to much.
Pick: Nadal in 2
(WC) Jannik Sinner vs. (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas and Sinner are squaring off for the second time in their careers and for a second straight year in round two of the Rome Masters. Last year’s showdown went Tsitsipas’ way via a 6-3, 6-2 decision. Sinner is a much more accomplished player now, but the coronavirus hiatus seemed to halt his momentum just a bit. The 19-year-old Italian basically got a bye in round one, beating a disgruntled Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-2 on Monday.
Although Tsitsipas lost early at the season’s second Grand Slam (third round to Borna Coric), it means he had more time to transition to clay. The sixth-ranked Greek has another reason to be feeling comfortable in Rome, as he reached the semifinals last spring. This will be an entertaining contest, but Tsitispas has a clear edge in just about every department.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 2
he’s back
Yay! I’ve missed Rafa tennis SOOOOO much! Vamos, champ!
In case y’all missed the Sinner-Paire match, this sums it up in under 30 seconds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kde9_EMjTQ&ab_channel=TennisTV
Tpas in 3; Rafa in 3
Sinner sees off Tsits in 4 sets.
^^^ 3 set!
Well, Rafa has only the next to worst draw at Rome. PCB has the worst!
Rafa wins in straight sets losing only two games! Nice face mask he’s wearing; so happy to see Rafa back on court, playing as if he hasn’t been away for seven months. Rafa looking quick and sharp on court, 👍.
Yes luckystar. He looks sharp and ready for business. So happy to see him back playing his exquisite clay court tennis.
Vamos Rafa
Great to see Rafito back! Hope he can fine tune his game in time for RG 😃
#NID Vamos Rafa!
Vamos darling rafa!💜💜
We have missed you so much!
Well, Carreño Busta didn’t bother Rafa too much, after such a long time off. On to the next, would like to see a Djoko Vs Rafa final, if possible
It was wonderful to finally see Rafa back in action! 💖
He looked very sharp. it made me realize how much I have missed watching him play. This has been a real pick me up during a very difficult time!
Welcome back Rafa! 😘
This is when tennis is more than tennis Nny. Their greatness go beyond this sport and influence other people’s lives for better.
Eugene,
Well said! 😀