Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin Del Potro will be squaring off for the 15th time in their careers and in a second consecutive Grand Slam when they meet again in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Nadal is leading the head-to-head series 10-5 after dominating Del Potro 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 in the French Open semifinals. The Spaniard is 6-2 in their last eight encounters and 2-0 in their last two, having also prevailed 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in the 2017 U.S. Open semis. They previously collided at Wimbledon in 2011, when Nadal got the job done 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 on the second Monday.
This marks the second consecutive occasion on which Del Potro is facing Nadal with no days of rest after winning a delayed match. It happened at Roland Garros due to rain, as the Argentine eventually outlasted Marin Cilic in a fourth-round affair. Del Potro’s match against Simon was the only fourth-rounder that did not finish on Monday, as play was suspended due to darkness with the world No. 4 leading two sets to one. He returned on Tuesday to battle back from a break down in the fourth and win 7-6(1), 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5).
Del Potro preceded that result with more straightforward victories over Peter Gojowyczk, Feliciano Lopez, and Benoit Paire. The 2009 U.S. Open champion is now 32-7 for the year and fourth in the race to London–less than 1,000 points out of second.
Nadal had struggled at Wimbledon over the past five seasons, but he has been armed with good health ever since skipping the February and March hard-court swing. Following continued dominance on clay, the world No. 1 now finds himself in his first quarterfinal at the All-England Club since 2011. Nadal has advanced so far without dropping a set while disposing of Dudi Sela, Mikhail Kukushkin, Alex De Minaur, and Jiri Vesely.
“Of course it’s an important result for me,” the second seed assured. “But when I came here, I came here thinking that I could produce a good result…. I will practice for one hour (on Tuesday). I (will) do some treatment with my physio and I am going to watch the [World Cup]. Then I am probably going to be relaxing a little bit at home; maybe cooking a little bit at lunchtime.”
Del Potro, on the other hand, was busy finishing off his tough one against Simon on Tuesday. Although the underdog is capable of taking the racket out of Nadal’s hands and blowing him off a grass court, conditions are suiting Nadal just fine this fortnight and Del Potro will almost certainly be unable to win this one quickly. If a competitive contest that approaches or even exceeds the three-hour mark is in store for Wednesday, Nadal should have a considerable edge in the stamina department.
Pick: Nadal in 4
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To win, Nadal just needs to stay focused on his service games. Can’t make sloppy mistakes when serving. He will get his chances on Del Po’s serve if he keeps the pressure on. Just can’t let Del Po gain momentum from a break or anything.
I for once think jim courier got it right saying delpo in 5. The more it goes the more it reminds me if muller
*of
Rafa really does look pumped out there.
He’s playing much better now.
Andy Murray saying it makes no difference who serves first in final set! Really!?
Anyway rafa is now playing way better😀😀
This is becoming a phenomenal battle. I’m sad I missed most of Fed-Anderson but I’m glad to see this one panning out to be a really enthralling match. These guys are warriors.
This match will be finished in four plus to five hours at least, not going to help whoever wins here for the next match.
I hate it that Rafa has to play this way, practically grinding away.
They have a day’s rest. That should help.
But,adv certainly to Novak Nny!..
MA,
We will see.
😘
Hehehe..Yes Nny!..We will see!
luckystar your logic is flawed. DelPo is fresh after 4 hours of tennis with no rest but Rafa won’t be against Djoker. At least talk logical. I agree he wont be fresh, but he would be up for it against Nole knowing that they have a wonderful chance with Fed out.
Also, I have seen Rafa’s last year Aus open match against Zverev and Dimitrov. Those were more physical.
I am really glad someone said it. Delpo has been able to hold his own today even after tough matches.
Rafa is as fit as they come. He will be ready. First he has to win this match. Then we can worry about how much he has left in the tank.
Yeah those were more physical fedexal, and so Rafa had it tough against Fed in the final. Djoko is a very fit guy and he doesn’t mind grinding; can Rafa out grind Djoko, after this five hours match?
The one area where rafa is consistently excellent is at net…
Yess!!!😀😀😀 what a backhand!!
Why are Rafa and Delpo slipping and falling so often? Even Fed slipped during his match vs Anderson. Its strange that now the grass has gone off a bit, the ‘clay’ surface becomes so slippery.
Now Rafa must consolidate!!
Rafa, please hold your serve!
What a hold!!!😀
Here comes rafa!!😀
Isner has broken the seemingly unbreakable Raonic twice today. This may sound crazy but I think Isner is a legit contender to win it all. If he keeps serving this well, and he is able to break someone like Raonic twice, then he might blast his way to a Wimbledon title.
God i hope not!
He invited the fascist moron to come and watch!
Or on the day, his serves may not work and lose!! No more predictions plz! Everyone has been wrong thus far!!
Now Vamos, Rafa!!!
Scratch that. He broke him three times. Isner through in a flash
Isner is the only man that has not been broken yet in this tournament. Isner should be able to get past Anderson, (He has beaten him the last five times), and then he could possibly beat Djokovic or Nadal.
Yeah, its likely Benny.
Be positive rafa! Don’t start grinding again!
I don’t understand why Rafa keep give the ball back to Delpo’s BH…He should give it to his FH too considering that area always empty…
#Don’tunderstand!
Agree mira! It’s driving me mad!
I AM already MAD!!!
And he his serves, just not good enough!
God i am half dead!
It’s Delpo going for the forehand winners! Come on rafa!
What a hold!!😀