Rafael Nadal had no trouble in his U.S. Open first-rounder and he will hope to make similar work of Andreas Seppi on Wednesday. What is likely to be a more entertaining contest will pit Benoit Paire against Marcos Baghdatis.
(4) Rafael Nadal vs. Andreas Seppi
Nadal and Seppi will be squaring off for the ninth time in their careers and for the second time this summer when they meet again in round two of the U.S. Open on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 7-1 in favor of Nadal, who most recently took care of Seppi 6-3, 6-3 at the Rio Olympics. That result was nothing out of the ordinary for the Spaniard, who has won 10 consecutive sets at Seppi’s expense–eight of them no more competitive than 6-3. Nadal’s 10-set streak started after the Italian scored his lone victory via a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 decision eight years ago on the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam.
The world No. 5 parlayed his recent win over Seppi into a fourth-place showing at the Olympics, where he also captured the doubles gold medal with Marc Lopez. Nadal was clearly too fatigued to do anything of note in Cincinnati, but he got back in business by hammering Denis Istomin 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Monday afternoon in New York. That looks like bad news for Seppi, who advanced with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Stephane Robert. The 32nd-ranked Italian has plunged to No. 87 in the world and he will continue to be saddled with a losing record in 2016 (currently 18-19) if he falls to Nadal. There is no reason to expect anything different from what has transpired between these two veterans over the course of their last five matchups.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 8-10 games
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(32) Benoit Paire vs. Marcos Baghdatis
Nothing screams five-setter quite like Paire playing an early-round match at the U.S. Open. The 34th-ranked Frenchman contested the sixth first-round match of his career at this tournament on Monday and it resulted in his fifth five-setter, as he outlasted a cramping Dusan Lajovic 6-2, 2-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. The only occasion on which Paire did not go to a final set in the opening round was in 2012, but he promptly went five with Philipp Kohlschreiber (lost 6-7(4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(4)) two days after beating Grigor Dimitrov in four. The win over Lajovic was much needed for the 32nd seed, who is just 21-24 on the year and had been 1-4 in his last five matches prior to arriving in New York.
Up next for Paire on Wednesday in what should be an entertaining showdown against Baghdatis. The head-to-head series stands at 2-1 in favor of Paire, who prevailed at the 2013 French Open and two years later in Tokyo following a three-set win for Baghdatis at the 2013 Rotterdam tournament. Baghdatis booked his spot in this contest by getting a third-set retirement from Facundo Bagnis, although the Cypriot was well on his way to victory leading 6-4, 6-2, 1-1. He is 21-17 for his 2016 campaign and has reached at least the third round in three of his last four events. The trend should continue for Baghdatis against an opponent who is short on confidence and coming off a tough five-setter.
Pick: Baghdatis in 5
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WWW?
Rafa in 3 (again I’ll take the over on the 8-10 games).
Baggy in five. (Hope it’s a night match.)
#Epic
#Popcorn
Paire in five and Rafa in three losing 8-10 games
Marcos and Rafa
Rafa for the win, losing 8-10 games.
Paire and Baggy should be a good one. You just never know with Paire, but I am going with Baggy in five sets.
Also never know with Paire, he might just have been given a boost by that match or he might just lose a 6-2 6-3 6-1. and therefore ill go with the safer pick in Marcos to win…
Rafa in 3 sets, dont see Seppi as a problem
Rafa in a beatdown and Bagman in 4.
Rafa in 3 comfortable sets
Benoit Paire vs Marcos Baghdatis. Hmm, nice.
Voted for Paire in 5. But it could be anything. Marcos is more likely to show up ready to make the effort necessary to win. Benoit is unpredictable as heck, I just refuse to give up on him.
Rafa in 3 — 5-7 games for Seppi.
rc,
I went back and forth with Paire and Baggy. Paire is certainly capable of winning this match if he plays the way he is capable of playing. But for me, you just never know with him. He is so unpredictable. I just went for Baggy because he will come out and give it his best effort.
I like your pick of 5-7 games lost by Rafa! I always try to be a little conservative.
Stay focused, remain confident, be brave and show your fighting spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrM-RSrXEAA4GcR.jpg
Rafa time? And if any 5 to 8 seed had to go, i am glad it is from rafas quarter??
Yes! Bring on Rafa! Finally!
JMsc talking about Rafa’s serving stance. Also saying that he is being distracted by the crowd as the chair umpire calls for them to settle down.
Rafa holds after being down 0-30 in his first service game.
Ooh! Wicked DTL forehand winner from Rafa on seppi’s serve!
30-30
You beat me to it.
Amaaaazing!
Break point Rafa!
Rafa chokes a BP opp.
Yep!
Rafa hit another DTL forehand winner!
Rafa breaks!
Now Rafa has two break pints against him. JMac saying it’s the buzz in the crowd that us distracting Rafa.
Long rally and good stuff from both players. Nice defense from Rafa!
Rafa’s fh is off the hook!
CCBH working nicely as well.
Nice volley from Rafa!
Rafa in another tight service game.
Ad Rafa
Rafa holds.
So many long points! Not to Rafa’s advantage; he must improve his serve to try and win some cheap points.
Jesus why can’t the crowd just STFU like with golf.
I agree! The crowd is being so annoying! They said it’s bothering Rafa!
Cc backhand winner from Rafa to get another break for 4-0!
Vintage Rafa.
A joy to watch.
Where have you been for so long???
Rafa is looking sharp right now.
Seppi is trying to hang in there, but Rafa is getting the better of him.
Rafa flattening out that serve for an ace.
He actually started this well against fognimi last year for two sets and then tightened up. Fog just took advantage.
Please don’t remind me of that match!
It’s threatening to rain.
Vamos Rafa 😀 He looks good, no?
rc,
I think so! The ESPN commies said there were some rain drops and the supervisor was out there checking the conditions. At least there is a roof now! It would mean a delay for the players if they have to close it.
Yeah JMac is going on about wanting the roof to close so he can hear how the noise is amplified. Crazy guy.
Seppi trying to make a match of it. Rafa is pumped!
I can’t believe Mugu lost. WTH? She shouldn’t be losing to Sevastova.