Levine Wants To Be Cool When He Plays Nadal In Montreal

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 7th August 2013

Levine Wants To Be Cool When He Plays Nadal In Montreal

epa03762634 Canada's Jesse Levine celebrates a point against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 27 June 2013. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

Canadian Jesse Levine is hoping to show no fear as he heads into a second-round match with Rafael Nadal in Montreal as the Spaniard plays singles for the first time since losing in the Wimbledon first round six weeks ago. Nadal and Pablo Andujar tuned up with a doubles win, 12-10 in the third set with No. 4 Nadal looking fit in his hardcourt start.

Levine, ranked 132, began his home week with a defeat of good friend and Florida training buddy Xavier Malisse of Belgium. The Canadian hopes to take the right attitude into his match with Nadal, their second meeting north of the US border.

“The last time I played Rafa was in Toronto, 2008, he’s definitely a tough task,” said the underdog. “Obviously this time I’ll have nothing to lose. I can swing freely.” Lapsing into a baseball analogy, the Canadian added: “I don’t have to bat leadoff and have the pressure of getting on base, I can bat clean up and swing for the fences. I’ve got no pressure.

“It’s nice to play in front of a home crowd and hopefully they’ll get behind me. I’ll do the best I can and we’ll see what happens.”

An older and wiser Levine, 25, hopes not to make the same mistake he did in his previous match with the Spaniard. “I got off to a really, really good start, up 4-1 in the first set. I remember kind of looking at the scoreboard and saying, ‘There’s something wrong about that.’ Next thing you know, I lost the set/

“Obviously, Nadal is one of the best in the history of the game. It’s a tough task. I’ll sit down with my coach and work on some things.”