Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will be part of the year’s greatest day in tennis–the second Monday at Wimbledon. The multiple Wimbledon winners are heavy favorites against unseeded opponents Jiri Vesely and Karen Khachanov.
Jiri Vesely vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Nadal reaching the second week at Wimbledon is never a foregone conclusion. The world No. 1 was 7-for-12 in such efforts and 2-for-5 in his last five appearances heading into this fortnight. But an early exit hasn’t been–and may not be–in the cards this time around, as Nadal is just as good if not even better with age at 32 years old. Coming off his 11th French Open title, the Spaniard has improved to 33-2 for the season following straight-set victories at the All-England Club over Dudi Sela, Mikhail Kukushkin, and Alex De Minaur.
Up next for Nadal on Monday is a second career contest against Vesely, who lost their only previous meeting 6-4, 7-6(2) on the red clay of Hamburg in 2015. Grass obviously gives the 6’6” Czech a much better chance, mainly because of the man on the other side of the net but also due to his own prowess on the green stuff. Vesely is now 10-4 lifetime in main-draw action at Wimbledon and this is his second trip to the second Monday. The world No. 93 earned his spot in the last 16 by defeating Florian Mayer, Diego Schwartzman, and Fabio Fognini, surrendering sets to Mayer and Fognini in the process. Vesely’s lefty serve and backhand slice are effective on grass, but despite his frame he is not the kind of player who is going to blast Nadal off the court and take the racket out of his opponent’s hands.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 11-14 games
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Karen Khachanov vs. (12) Novak Djokovic
Djokovic’s comeback has been a roller-coaster ride in 2018, but he has been able to get up for the Grand Slams. The 21st-ranked Serb has now won at least three matches at all three of the majors; he has accomplished that feat in just two of his other seven appearances. Of course, Djokovic has been good just about everywhere of late–with a 15-3 record in his last 18 matches and trips to the Rome semifinals, the French Open quarters, and the Queen’s Club final during this stretch. The 12-time slam champion punched his ticket the last 16 by disposing of Tennys Sandgren, Horacio Zeballos, and Kyle Edmund, donating only one set to Edmund along the way.
The second Monday will see Djokovic go head-to-head with Khachanov for the first time in their careers. Khachanov’s place in round four was earned in far more difficult fashion, as he held off David Ferrer in four sets before beating both Marcos Baghdatis and Frances Tiafoe in five. The 40th-ranked Russian trailed Tiafoe by two sets to love on Saturday before storming back for a 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-1 victory. Khachanov is now 8-2 in his last 10 matches with a fourth-round performance at Roland Garros and a quarterfinal showing on the grass courts of Halle. Some bad news for the 22-year-old, however, is that he has never advanced past this stage of a major and he is 0-7 lifetime against former Grand Slam winners.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
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Stay focused, remain confident and be strong, Rafa!
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Rain is forecasted today in the evening. I am worried
rain rain go away
Please come back another day
Rafa wants to play!
ESPN is so lame! Y arent they showing the matches, only centre courts matches?!! Argghhh!!!
Check out ESPN2, hon. Atm they’re showing Nish-Gulbis, but I expect they’ll switch out after the tb.
I was about to praise ESPN for devoting 2 channels to Manic Monday but they’ve gone to their awful split screen, insuring that you can’t really see either match!
I live in the Caribbean, St. Lucia, we dont get ESPN 2 anymore on cable, smh!! But thanks anyway! Lol
Im watching other matches on live streaming, Hot.com
Who is the female umpire??
Hasn’t rafa has problems with one of the female umpires?
must be Asderaki
Oh no!
Could feel that double fault coming!😀😀
Didn’t Asderaki issue him with loads of tvs?
Well done rafa!!
Rafa breaks to love!!!😀😀
OMG nadal has more aces than vesely.
Rafa has more aces than Roger!! Lol! Maybe not!!
Rafa is starting to serve much better. He is tinkering with his serve speeds. He hit an ace at 120 mph. Then he lowers the speed into the low 100’s and stays in the 111 to 116 range.
Second set Rafa!!😀😀
I know Vesely is a bit hobbled, but Rafa is playing awesome! i really like what i see thus far!
Ffs!!
Really sloppy by rafa!
Choops!! Lost focus for a split second!
Rafa got sloppy and pays for it by getting broken. Nuts!
But he broke back!!😀😀
Yeah, luckily! Vesely is not really thinking out there! Good thing!
Delpo is getting really frustrated with Simon, lol!! Simon is a pest, Delpo forgot that!! Not sure who Id prefer Rafa to meet!
Yes, Rafa focused and broke back. But Vesely does not seem to have a game plan. Rafa needs to get the break and close thisvout now to get to his first quarterfinal since 2011.
Delpo is way more dangerous!
Yeah, but Rafa can wear him down bcos hes not a great mover on grass, see how Simon is getting too him!
What in gods name was that dropshot at 30-15 from Vesely?! 😂 😂 Looks like a 3 3 and 3 win for Nadal is coming soon.
I was trying to figure out what that drop shot was about. Vesely is not a great thinker out there.
I thought so but V is trying to hold on!
Somebody plz answer! Who u want to meet Rafa, Delpo or Simon,and Y?
Simon. No question about it. Delpo is much more dangerous.
I really dont know! Rafa hates playing Simon! I think they r equally dangerous but in different ways!
No mona!!! Delpo is much more of a threat!
By a mile
Sorry to only have livescore – I keep wanting to type – Congrats to Rafa and Rafa fans but Vesely is hanging on.
Kasatkina and Ostapenko through rc!!!😀
Did angie win? I saw some of her match and she was playing very well!
Yes. But Pliskova didn’t come to play today. I got up early to watch that one.
I’ll post on the WTA thread about it.
Right now, enjoy Rafa’s win 🙂
Yesss!!! Quarter final!!!!😀😀😀
Hard to believe it’s been since 2011 that Rafa has made the final eight at Wimby. Well deserved win champ.
Thanks, Benny! And grats to you and RF too. May they meet in the final! 🙂
At the risk of jinxing Rafa, every time he’s made the quarters he’s gone on to play the Final!
that is WILD