10SBALLS SHARES DIMONATOR’S VIEWS OF THE 2017 FRENCH OPEN TENNIS FROM PARIS • RAFA THE KING OF CLAY

Written by: Staff on 30th May 2017

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

10SBALLS SHARES DIMONATOR'S VIEWS OF THE 2017 FRENCH OPEN TENNIS FROM PARIS • RAFA THE KING OF CLAY

epa05997596 Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Benoit Paire of France during their men?s 1st round single match during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 29 May 2017. EPA/CAROLINE BLUMBERG |

Rafael Nadal, who “knows he’s not gonna lose,” back on court for round two at French Open

By Ricky Dimon

According to Nick Kyrgios, there is no need to play out the rest of the French Open.

Nope. Don’t have to do it. Let’s just save time and move on to grass. This tournament’s over.

That might as well have been what Kyrgios said during his press conference on Tuesday. The Australian was asked about 20-year-old Alexander Zverev’s recent triumph at the Rome Masters–specifically if it signaled a changing of the guard on the men’s tour.

Not so fast, Kyrgios responded.

“Nadal, I don’t think he’s worried at all about anyone in this tournament, to be fair,” he offered. “Best of five–it suits him. He knows he’s not gonna lose. Let’s be realistic.”

Robin Haase has to hope Nadal does, in fact lose. And he has to hope that it happens on Wednesday. The Dutchman is Nadal’s next opponent as second-round action gets underway at Roland Garros.

The nine-time French Open champion is leading the head-to-head series, including 1-0 on grass and 1-0 on hard courts. These two veterans also squared off in the second round of a Grand Slam seven years ago, when Nadal outlasted Haase 5-7, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 on his eventual way to the title. Nadal also prevailed 6-3, 6-2 early last year in Doha.

The Spaniard’s bid for a 10th triumph on the red clay of Paris got underway on Monday with a straight-set victory over Benoit Paire. Nadal is now 19-1 on clay in 2017 and 73-2 lifetime at Roland Garros. Haase, meanwhile, trounced Alex De Minaur 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 in his opener.

“A player I know very well and he knows me very well,” Nadal said of the world No. 46. “Dangerous opponent. He hits the ball very hard, so I need to be very focused on the serve because [returning] can be tough.”

In Kyrgios’ opinion, on the other hand, nothing will be tough for Nadal–not against Haase and not against anyone else.