A few kilometers from Roland-Garros, Rafael Nadal has launched his Parisian Masters 1000.
After some fears against Feliciano Lopez, finally dismissed 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in the second round in 2:30.
These two know each other by heart (they sometimes team up twice).
Lopez, on a fast surface, has the capacity to upset the world No. 2.
Before the Masters 1000 in Paris, he had won 4 of the 13 matches between them (on carpet, grass and hard).
Paris and Rafa.
They just go together #RolexParisMasters |
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- ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) November 4, 2020
Where were you when ... @ RafaelNadal hit 1000 wins? #RolexParisMasters |
: @ TennisTVpic.twitter.com / IPrpMbUagf
- ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) November 4, 2020
This Wednesday, the Madrid tournament director took matters into his own hands with a quick break to lead 2-0 and stability in his service games (93% of points scored on his 1st serve) allowing him to hold his engagement and to dismiss the threat of an express return of his rival to complete the 1st set.
Applied but upset
Applied but upset to read Lopez's service and stumbling when converting the break points (0 out of 5 at the start of the second set), Nadal hung on.
Hoping to see the door open but stumbling until the tie-break snatched 7-5.
Before moving on, freed, by a break (the 1st after more than an hour and a half of play) quickly pocketed to take the reins, never let go and offer themselves a 1000th symbolic victory on the circuit.
Flashback, the first date in 2002 (against Paraguayan Ramon Delgado, in Mallorca), the 900th fell at Roland Garros in 2018 against Richard Gasquet, in the third round… Rafael Nadal joined the closed circle of players counting 1000 victories, including Jimmy Connors (1274 wins), Roger Federer (1242) and Ivan Lendl (1068).
He who, Monday, will beat a record for the number of consecutive weeks spent in the Top 10. With 790 weeks (since April 25… 2005), he will be ahead of Jimmy Connors (789) and Roger Federer (734).
In Paris, Rafael Nadal likes round numbers.
On October 11, by disposing in the Roland-Garros final of Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, the Spaniard signed his 100th victory (2 defeats) in the French Open table (his 13th title at Roland-Garros, the 20th Grand Slam crown).
The world n ° 2 has, this Wednesday, added a line to his legend with a 20th victory (5 defeats) in the Masters 1000 of Paris-Bercy which offered him only one final (2007) and three semi-finals ( 2009, 2013, 2019).
"One of the five greatest champions in the history of sport"
Richard Gasquet
On the occasion of this 1000th anniversary, two rankings allow us to appreciate the impressive longevity of the Spanish collector.
The Top 10 tournaments in which he distinguished himself the most: Roland-Garros 100 victories;
Monte-Carlo 71;
Australian Open 65;
US Open 64;
Rome 63;
Barcelona 61;
Indian Wells 54;
Wimbledon 53;
Madrid 52;
Miami 40.
And the Top 10 of his favorite rivals: Novak Djokovic (27 wins), David Ferrer (26), Roger Federer (24), Tomas Berdych (20), Stan Wawrinka (19), Andy Murray and Fernando Verdasco (17), Richard Gasquet (16), Nicolas Almagro (15), Philipp Kohlschreiber (15).
Asked at a press conference on the phenomenon, Richard Gasquet assured: “He is one of the greatest athletes of all sports.
It is one of the sport's greatest achievements.
I don't see 50,000.
It's hard to compare other sports, but when you win Roland-Garros 13 times, I don't know what to say.
It's hard to compare individual sports, team sports.
But on top of that, he's definitely one of the five greatest champions in the history of the sport.
There is nothing to say.
He is always there.
I'm afraid it's not over… ”
In the round of 16, Rafael Nadal has, this Thursday, an appointment with the Australian Jordan Thompson whom he has never met on the circuit.
Results of the 2nd round:
Davidovich Fokina
(Esp) -Bonzi (Fra) 6-4, 6-4
Medvedev
(Rus, 3) -Anderson (Rsa) 6-6 (5/2) ab.
Schwartzman
(Arg, 6) -Gasquet (Fra) 7-5, 6-3
Mannarino
(Fra) -Nishioka (Jap) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3
Raonic
(Can) -Herbert ( Fra) 6-4, 6-4
Zverev
(All, 4) - Kecmanovic (Ser) 6-2, 6-2
Thompson
(Aus) -Coric (Cro, 15) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
De Minaur
(Aus, 16) -Sonego (Ita) 6-3, 7-5
Nadal
(Esp, 1) -Lopez (Esp) 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4
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