Rafael Nadal has already established a great 2013 months since returning from damage and illness, and with only two losses over the year, he hasn't become tested much. That changed on Friday as a result of a hard-fought match vs countryman David Ferrer, that will set Rafa up for success at the French Open.
According to BBC Sport, Nadal outlasted his fellow Spaniard in a few sets; 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0. Nadal clearly wasn't at his best early within the match as he dropped the first set and had to be able to will his way on the second, but he ultimately identified his footing and made sure he put Ferrer away inside third.
After the match Nadal was fully aware that he didn't play to the most effective of his capabilities. He even suggested that the better player didn't end up on top, according to be able to Carole Bouchard of L'Equipe.
Perhaps Ferrer played a much better all-around match on Friday, but the most important thing is coming away which has a victory. It's great for Nadal to be able to win a match of any kind at this stage after missing seven times with knee tendinitis, but rolling past lower players won't do much for him down the road.
Ferrer may not be at the same level as Nadal, but one is currently the No. 4 player on the globe and is excellent concerning clay. Most expected Nadal to walk with the competition en route to somewhat of a Madrid Open title, but Ferrer gave your ex all he could handle and may have ensured that Rafa will be focused moving forward.
Nadal has played in six tournaments this season and he has built the finals in they all. Rafa also has 3 titles to his credit, so he hasn't had to face much adversity. Ferrer tested him in a very big way, though, now Nadal knows that she's capable of winning matches regardless if he isn't playing your partner's best tennis.
Had Nadal beaten cheaper players in straight sets throughout the Madrid Open, perhaps he wouldn't are generally fully prepared for this French Open. His opponents can be trying that much trickier to knock him off of at Roland Garros, so he'll has to be ready for anything. There shall be at least one French Open match in which he'll have to battle from start to finish and grind released a victory, much prefer he did against Ferrer.
Unfortunately Nadal won't have got another big challenge on his hands with the semifinals as Roger Federer has been upset by Kei Nishikori. Pablo Andujar then upset Nishikori with the quarters, so Nadal will face the Spanish qualifier inside the semifinals.
Nadal won't let this guard down after a very tough match against Ferrer, so expect him to take care of Andujar and ultimately roll for a Madrid Open title. Nadal has won countless titles on clay that you more probably won't can much for him with a confidence standpoint. That conquer Ferrer should be extremely meaningful advancing, however.
Rafa is arguably the top clay-court player in tennis game history; he is usually a threat to acquire the French. In truth, he has won with Roland Garros in seven of the past eight years. Having won the French Open a lot of times, though, it is required to be difficult for him to keep up his intensity level. His win over Ferrer should serve as inspiration to take some action.
Tennis fans certainly remember Nadal's most recent Grand Slam match as he was ousted inside the second round of Wimbledon last year by Lukas Rosol. Nadal's injury was obviously a big reason for that loss, but complacency may have had something to do with it as well. After Nadal has been tried, that shouldn't be an issue this year.
Nadal is playing terrific tennis in 2013 and additionally he is finding several unique ways to win too. Rafa figures to be onto his game at your French Open, but even though he isn't, his conquer Ferrer proves that they can triumph anyway.
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