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Preview: Rafael Nadal vs Antonio Veic – French Open 2011

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Preview: Rafael Nadal vs Antonio Veic – French Open 2011
Seventh day at Roland Garros will take off with the world number one, Rafael Nadal of Spain, in action against the Croatian qualifier, Antonio Veic in the third round clash in Paris, France. The top seed will take on his Croat opponent on Saturday afternoon on the red surface of the Court Philippe Chatrier to battle for a fourth round berth in the second Grand Slam event of this year.
The invincible Nadal had made it to the third round of the French Open after he took down Pablo Andujar in a most assertive manner in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(4), in the second round clash. The Croat opponent registered an upset victory in the second round, as he took down the former world number three, Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, in an exhilarating five-setter 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1, to meet Nadal in the round of 32.
The King of Clay, Nadal, had a shaky start to the French Open and narrowly escaped a loss in the opening round at the hands of American, John Isner. The Spaniard came to Paris to defend his grand Slam title but went through a tough time in his very first encounter against Isner. His second round victory over Andujar also lacked the typical Rafa aggression, as he has to win the opener at 7-5 and then the third set in a tie breaker round, against a 48thranked player.
The Croat competitor has been lingering around in the tournament and has dropped three sets in his two initial round matches. His first round match against Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay was curtailed due to his opponent’s retirement from the contest for the reason of injury in the fourth set, but Veic proved his mettle in the matchup against Davydenko. The Russian was anticipated as the favourite to win the contest but Veic displayed his amazing abilities to dispose of Davydenko from Roland Garros and book a date with Nadal in the third round.
The defending champion Nadal is eying his sixth French Open title this time round and he surely is capable of doing it. The reigning world number one is considered as the hot favourite for winning the Grand Slam in Paris but his performance in the two recent matches raises question on his form and fitness. He appeared a bit sluggish in his matches this week but it is expected that the top seed will gather up his pace in the more demanding clashes of the tournament later.
Nadal is reckoned to be the deadliest opponent on the clay surface and has already won two clay-court championship titles during the running ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) season. His 37-match winning streak on clay came to an end at the hands of the world number two, Novak Djokovic, when the Serbian defeated him in the final at the Madrid Open last month.
The Spaniard is certainly willing to bake up another winning streak on his favourite surface and is eyeing to initiate it at the French Open. He is no doubt to the favourite for the match against the Croat though the latter might create some trouble for the Spaniard.

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