Rafael Nadal and Botic van de Zandschulp will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time in less than a month when they meet again in round four at Wimbledon on Monday. They just faced each other during third-round action at the French Open, where Nadal cruised 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
The question is: will grass make any difference?
Probably not. Both guys are all-court players, so the surface should not have any significant impact. Nadal may be the King of Clay, but right now he is the king of everything. The 36-year-old Spaniard has won each of the first two Grand Slams in 2022 and is No. 1 in the race to Turin by almost 2,000 points. He has improved his season record to 33-3 and extended his slam winning streak to 17 with victories over Francisco Cerundolo, Ricardas Berankis, and Lorenzo Sonego. Nadal dropped sets to both Cerundolo and Berankis in mediocre performances but raised his level considerably to crush Sonego 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
Van de Zandschulp has been great dating back to last summer–albeit not anywhere near Nadal’s level, of course. The 26-year-old Dutchman is up to a career-high of No. 25 in the world and this marks the second grass-court event of the summer in which he has won three matches (previously at Queen’s Club). Van de Zandschulp earned his spot in week two of Wimbledon by beating and Feliciano Lopez, Emil Ruusuvuori, and Richard Gasquet in mostly routine fashion.
“He’s a player that [has] been improving unbelievable the last year,” Nadal commented. “(It) was a good challenge in the French and I think he will be [again]. He’s a complete player with a lot of great [attributes], and I need to keep going the way that I played [against Sonego]–playing aggressive and playing with the right energy.
“He’s a tough opponent, but we are in fourth round. That’s the way that it should be.”
Van de Zandschulp does have a fair amount of firepower, but not enough to make him that prototypical player who would consistently give Nadal trouble. And given the way the second seed looked on Saturday, all signs point to this being one-way traffic.
Pick: Nadal in 3
Folks, I’m in the move, running errands etc of all days 🙄🙄🙄 surely not by design! And I’m on the bus so go figure! But I’m keeping score on google and I’m getting the pulse of match and performance by reading ure comments, so keep it going guys! 😀
That lad seems to be serving well! How comes Rafa can’t break him yet?!! He’s had quite a few chances though! Vamos, Rafa!!
Rafa breaks to take the first set!!😀
Excellent serving performance by Rafa. Best he has served in ages…
Oh nice to hear!! I’ve barely got off the bus and Rafa has already won first set?! Impressive!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Rafa had to save a bp! He survives!
Zandschulp has made some big big mistakes around the net..
Rafa breaks!
Fh is in the groove!😀
Rafa is serving very well. This guy has not been able to get a break against Rafa. Also Rafa’s movement is extremely good. I have noticed it from his first match.
Rafa did well to break to win the set. I think this guy is getting a bit tight playing Rafa on Center Court.
Good to see you nny!!
Second set Rafa!
Amy,
Yes I am here to cheer Rafa on! I can’t believe how well he is serving. As you said, the best he has served in ages. So important on the grass.
He has just got broken after being up 40- love.😠😠
Oh here we go again. Rafa gets broken to start the third set.
Brilliant by Rafa to break back!
The bhdtl!
Now hold…
The thing Rafole do better than anyone is their capacity to break back immediately after losing serve.
Very important gif Rafa to break back here. He should try to close this out in three sets.
Give me strength! Why can Rafa never serve it out!
I could feel that happening..
Oh for heaven’s sake! Why does this keep happening?
So annoying!
Now Zandschulp is energised…
This cannot happen moving forward. It is inexplicable
You never want to throw a lifeline to the opponent. He was serving for the match. Now it’s tied. They are losing the light so they may need the roof.
Tiebreak. Yuk!
Come on Rafa.
3 match points gone.
For God’s sake get a grip Rafa….
Thus is just unreal. Is Rafa trying to lose this tiebreak?