Rafael Nadal dumps Marcel Granollers in the third round – BNP Paribas Open 2012
Second seed, Rafael Nadal of Spain, reached the fourth round for the seventh consecutive year, as he outclassed compatriot Marcel Granollers in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 in the third round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells,
USA on Tuesday.
The Spaniard toppled his countryman in an hour and 27 minutes.
Nadal came roaring into the match, grabbing first three games to attain a 3-0 lead. The Spaniard allowed Granollers to claim only one game in the entire set, breaking him twice to seal the opener 6-1.
Ranked number two in the world, Nadal gave an above average serve performance, putting in 70 percent of the first serves and converting 12 of the 14 of them into points. In comparison, Granollers was below average, as the world
number 26 hit a mere 33 percent of the first deliveries and won just four of the 12 points on the second ones.
Granollers put on a better show in the second set. Although Nadal struck early to take a 2-0 lead, Granollers didn’t lose any more of his serves after that. He had a chance to break back in the sixth game but Nadal saved two threats
to maintain his lead. The Spaniard converted his third match point to seal it 6-4.
Nadal and Granollers had the same first serve percentage, as both hit 61. However, Nadal hit a higher number of aces and was better than his opponent in the conversion rate.
The two-time for champion said, “I think I played well. It was a comfortable first set. I think I did very well in the first set. I didn't play my best in the second. I stopped the legs a little bit in the second for moments, and
at the end in the set I was in a little bit danger. The truth is I had a few mistakes, especially for the backhand and in the second, and then I was in a little bit trouble. But I am happy that I finished the match well.”
Nadal is slated to play 21st seed, Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, in the fourth round.
Commenting on the playing style of his next opponent, Nadal said, “He’s a crazy player because you can expect everything. He can play really aggressive, he can play very fast, he has a very good serve, and the ball is going too
fast sometimes.”
The Spaniard has won both of the previous two meetings between these two.
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