Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will begin their final tournament prior to the French Open on Wednesday, with both men going up against Frenchmen. Nadal is taking on Gilles Simon and Federer is facing Jeremy Chardy.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Gilles Simon
Nadal and Simon will squaring off for the seventh time in their careers when they do battle in round two of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 5-1 in Nadal’s favor, but they have faced each other only once on clay. That was their most recent encounter, won by the Spaniard 6-3, 6-4 at the 2012 Monte-Carlo Masters. Simon’s lone victory came during his memorable second half of 2008 run, which included a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(6) semifinal upset of Nadal on the indoor hard courts of Madrid.
Simon played his way into this matchup by trouncing Italy’s own Filippo Volandri 6-2, 6-3 on Tuesday. The Frenchman is still a disappointing 7-10 this season and will in all likelihood just barely manage to maintain a seed for Roland Garros, currently at 30th in the world. Nadal is coming off a title in Madrid, where he got past Kei Nishikori via a third-set retirement on Sunday. The world No. 1 is not as dominant on the red stuff right now as he has been in the past, but last week should give him some confidence as he looks to three-peat in Rome.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 5-7 games
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Jeremy Chardy vs. (4) Roger Federer
Federer and Chardy will be going head-to-head for just the second time in their careers but also for the second time this season. Their only previous meeting came in January in the Brisbane semifinals, with Federer prevailing 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3. Chardy advanced on Sunday in Rome with a 6-4, 6-4 ousting of Robin Haase. The 47th-ranked Frenchman is a decent 15-11 for the year, which includes only two first-round losses in 12 tournaments.
This is, of course, Federer’s first appearance since his wife gave birth to twin boys last week. The Monte-Carlo finalist and 2013 Rome runner-up is 28-5 on the season with additional runner-up showings in Brisbane and Indian Wells to go along with a title in Dubai. The Swiss’ focus may not be entirely there right from the start, but his 2014 form is far superior to that of last year and he should not have too much trouble getting the best of Chardy.
Pick: Federer in 2 losing more than 8 games
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So here in Kanada, instead of getting this match live, we are getting a tape delayed Fed vs Chardy broadcast.
Should be a straight forward win for Fed.
#W.T.F.
For the love of me, I cannot understand why Rafa plays tentative on 2nd serves……….should have won the match on the 2nd serve MP…….
It’s fortunate not many people in the stadium could hear what Simon was saying or he would be lynched by the crowd.
what did he say
He asked how many times Rafa had gone over 25 secs. umpire admitted ‘quite a few’ and had given him a time violation warning.
So Simon asked why only one or words to that effect.
how long has Simon been playing like he was at the end of the second set?
et tu ricky?
Missed the question. Most of the time except for a poor tie break.
https://twitter.com/tennisabstract/status/466674946337673217
just approved SIX comments by Hawkeye
Why are they moderated to begin with?
FINALLY!!!!!
If he wins, Rafa on third match tomorrow.
Too ugly for me. 0-30.
Switching off now.
#YoureWelcome
It’s like every player in the locker room has belief against Rafa now…………..
Is three TBs going to be the charm? I hope not.
I’m getting a nasty sinking feeling Gillou plans to reprise Madrid 2008 🙁
I had to go out and expected the match to be over. I came back to see it’s still going on and Simon won the second set. Maybe it’s best that I missed it.
This is just hard to watch. It’s giving me a sick feeling. Watching Rafa struggle against Simon is rough. Battling himself all the way.
Unforced errors Nadal 30 Simon 50
Winners Nadal 30 Simon 50
well he broke and will now serve for it…I am leaving again because everytime I post I jinx him…ta.
I really feel that every player brings the best tennis ever when they play Rafa…they do not care about wining the next match…they only want to win the one against Rafa…unbelievable…this Simon is killing himself out there..
Rafa’s dominance and success may forever be his downfall, unfortunately!
Good fight by Gilles but our man prevailed in the end. Good work out and no nerves.
Vamos Rafa!
Players just bring their best game against Rafa.
RT @scambers73 :”Got a funny feeling that match might do Rafa Nadal a lot of good. Simon outstanding but Rafa still got it done and improved as it went on”
Agree……………..
I had reached the same conclusion. Hopefully he is well and truly battle hardened now and starting to peak for RG.
Tomorrow Murray and Rafa will be the same age.
Switched back on at 3-2.
Got the win in tough conditions.
Commies say why doesn’t Simon play like that more often.
Simon (or any decent player) will beat pretty much ANY player who continually tees the ball up high and short like that. Simon dictated this match and still lost.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/466686794252423168/photo/1
RT @SharkoTennis: ” Done now. 3:21. Kudos to Simon sez for putting up a good fight. Rafa is Indefatigable.”