Sony Ericsson Open: Rafael Nadal vs. Feliciano Lopez – Preview
World number 1 Rafael Nadal of Spain will take on his compatriot and good friend, world number 41 Feliciano Lopez in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open on Monday.
Nadal prevailed over Japanese Kei Nishikori, ranked 62nd in the world, in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 in the second round. Lopez, on the other hand, battled past world number 28 Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina
in three thrilling sets 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4 to reach the third round.
These two have faced each other eight times before with Nadal leading Lopez 6-2 in the head-to-head record.
In their last meeting, Nadal prevailed over Lopez in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 16 at the US Open last year.
Lopez’s last of the two wins against Nadal came at the grass courts of Queen’s Club, when he upset the 24-year-old 7-6(5), 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the AEGON Championships. He also defeated Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) when
the pair met for the first time in the round of 32 at the Swiss Indoors Basel in 2003.
Nadal has won 15 out of 18 matches this season. He began the year at Qatar ExxonMobil Open, losing to Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 2-6 in the semi-final. The Spanish was upset by compatriot David Ferrer 4-6, 2-6, 3-6 in the quarterfinals
at the Australian Open. In his last tournament, the left-handed was beaten by Novak Djokovic of Serbia in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 in the final at the BNP Paribas Open.
Lopez has a 6-8 win/loss record this year. Before the start of the Sony Ericsson Open, the Spanish did not go past the third round of any of the seven tournaments he played at this year. He lost to Juan Martin Del Potro of
Argentina 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 6-7(3) in the opening round at the Medibank International Sydney. The 29-year-old was upset by Australian Bernard Tomic in straight sets 6-7(4), 6-7(3), 3-6 in the second round at the Australian Open.
Nadal is looking to win his maiden Sony Ericsson Open title. He lost to Roger Federer 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 3-6, 1-6 in the final in 2005. The Spaniard was defeated by Davydenko in straight sets 4-6, 2-6 in the title match
in 2008.
Nadal is in good form and is expected to prevail over Lopez. However, he is aware of the fact that his compatriot can pose a serious challenge in their coming match.
Talking about his match against Lopez, the King of Clay said, "I know it is gonna be a difficult match because he has a very good serve, good volley, and he's an aggressive player. I have to play aggressive with my forehand,
try to move him, and go to the net when I have the chance."
The winner of this match will meet either Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine or French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round.
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