When it seemed that the most repeated rivalry in the history of tennis, between the Serbian Novak Djokovic and the spanish Rafael Nadalmight not offer any news, chapter 59 arrived: for the first time they are measured on clay in the Parisian night.
Since it was implemented the night shift two years ago in Roland Garrosallowing him to get more money for tickets and for television rights, programming prestigious posters at that time of day has been an obsession of the organizers.
This edition has one of the most attractive both at a sporting and profitable level. The most awaited match takes place in the quarterfinals between the winners of 15 of the last 17 editions. The television pressures have been superlative to convince the Spaniard, little friend of the night game on clay.
The first set went in 49 minutes with a remarkable exhibition of singlista of Mallorca. Rafa didn’t give any chance to Nole and he kept the partial with a forceful 6 a 2.
The one from Manacor arrives without much preparation on clay, crippled by injuries that they only allowed him to play in Rome, where his foot injury prevented him from fully competing.
The star clash comes too soon, without his tennis having had time to grease up, with doubts following have been shaken in eighths by Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who, for the third time in his career, forced him to play five sets at Roland Garros.
Quite the opposite of the number one in the world, imperial in each of his four previous duels, without losing a setwithout any worrying symptoms. The Serbian pursues the third crown in Paris and, by the way, match 21 greats with Nadal precisely on the stage that has given the Spanish the most glory.
All indicators point to a victory for Djokovic31 once morest Nadal, the third in the ten duels at Roland Garros, the ninth of 28 on clay, the second in a row following last year’s semifinal at Philippe Chatrier.
But statistics are relative between these two contenders, especially when Nadal has already given evidence of being reborn when he was left for dead.
TV: ESPN 2 y Star+
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(With information from EFE)
