Rafael Nadal is one win away from clinching the year-end world No. 1 ranking. Standing in his way on Wednesday in London is Stanislas Wawrinka.
Rafael Nadal and Stanislas Wawrinka will be going head-to-head for the 12th time in their careers when they collide on the second day of Group A competition at the World Tour Finals on Wednesday night.
Nadal has won all 11 of their previous encounters, including six on hard courts. In fact, the Spaniard is 24-0 in total sets against Wawrinka and only four have progressed to tiebreakers. They have faced each other three times this season, with Nadal cruising in Madrid (6-2, 6-4), at Roland Garros (6-2, 6-3, 6-1), and most recently in Shanghai (7-6(10), 6-1).
Wawrinka’s struggles in this matchup have continued even though this has been by far the best and most consistent year of his professional life. The Swiss is 50-21 and up to a career-high ranking of No. 8 in the world. His first appearance at the year-end championship got off to a strong start on Monday, when he held off Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-7(0), 6-3 in two hours and 25 minutes.
Nadal kicked off his London campaign on Tuesday by avenging a Paris loss to David Ferrer. The world No. 1 had lost to his countryman 6-3, 7-5 last week, but he hammered Ferrer 6-3, 6-2 this time around. Nadal owns an incredible 10 titles in 2013, including four on hard courts, but he is still in search of his first since the U.S. Open. He lost in the Beijing final and in the semis of both Shanghai and Paris. However, Nadal has not lost to anyone outside the top five since Wimbledon.
An indoor setting, where Wawrinka has not faced Nadal since 2007, should help the underdog. Nonetheless, this particular court is likely playing too slow and ball are bouncing too high for Wawrinka to pull off what would be a borderline stunner. Nadal should be able to dictate baseline rallies and neutralize his opponent’s best shot by once again pounding heavy topspin at the Wawrinka one-handed backhand.
With a win, Nadal would clinch the year-end world No. 1 ranking. To say he will be determined would be an understatement.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 8 games or fewer
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Phew. 🙂 🙂 🙂 VAMOS!!!!!!
#NID????
6 games away from YE#1………….
Do stop it RITB please.
Big hold needed here for Rafa. Let downs occur too often after winning a tie break. ot just Rafa.
Anyone seen Rafa’s FHDTL? Haven’t seen it all match so far…………
21 points away!!!!
Stan has complained to Bernades about U.Toni ‘talking’ ie. coaching.
^^heard complaint was about Nadal team encouragement, not coaching……..i.e. they were shouting “Vamos” too loudly each time Stan was about to receive….
RITB: The few times Rafa has tried a FDTL it’s been long, so I think he’s not feeling it today and is playing conservatively instead.
Oh, thanks @Jpacnw
Why is Rafa shying away from the FHDTL shot today?
Much as I like him, Stan is playing altogether too well for my liking.
Rafa is not playing with calm.
too much at stake, ed251137, too much at stake. Rafa wins here he is in the semis and he snags YE#1….
If Rafa can serve well consistently, he won’t have too many problems.
Luckily Stan is making more UEs than Rafa but he’s lethal when he comes into the net.
Now Rafa. Time to bring down the hammer. That’s an order.
Another game gifted by Stan.
Rafa tight as a drum….
2 games away………..
huh…what is Carlos Bernandes doing in this match?!!! Is he asleep or what?
Carlos is only there to give Rafa a time violation warning.
Rafa is so tentative out there now…………
Rafa gets broken, serves him right for being so tentative.
Come on Rafa, bring the hammer down!!
I don’t BELIEVE it 🙁