In is possible that Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer will meet in the semis at Roland Garros. They have a long way to go, three more matches to win, and for sure, whomever they play, they will be the favorites.
However, anytime, any day, they can break down. With Nadal and Federer, that has been very rare, but it happens, here and there. At the Grand Slams, they have played brilliantly, and the 17-time Grand Slam champ Nadal is totally focused on clay, while the 20-time Grand Slam victor Mr. Federer is a master performer. However, they can hick-up. If it happens for one hour, or two, even these great champions can be eliminated. Nadal and Federer have done that before, and they can do it again this week, and next week.
On Wednesday, Nadal crushed Yannick Maden 6-1 6-2 6-4, while Federer was solid, beating Oscar Otte 6-4 6-3 6-4.
On Friday, Nadal will have to face David Goffin, which should be a fun match, but how will the Belgian attack Nadal’s sometimes-soft backhand, and leap on his second serve. Other than that, Nadal will push him into the wall with his massive forehand, his heavy
first serve and his deep return. Nadal will likely be comfortable, and Goffin does get nervous. If Goffin wins a set, he will be thrilled. But Nadal will move on.
Federer’s next opponent is Norway’s Casper Ruud, who is only 20-years-old. Ruud can play well on all surfaces, and in February, he was ranked No. 135. Now he he is ranked No. 63. He is coming up. However, dealing with Federer is totally different. He has so many shots. Plus, Ruud has to walk out of the court and listen to the fans, who absolutely love Federer. Emotionally, it will be difficult for Ruud to be very calm and forceful. It is possible that Ruud can grab one set, but not more
than that.
Four of the top men won on Wednesday: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kei Nishikori, Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian Dimitrov is rising up again, but the same goes for Wawrinka, who won this tournament before. Stan the Man is the favorite, but Dimitrov can change it up. He hopes.
NOTES, THE WOMEN
I am waiting to see Karolina Pliskova actually win a major. She has been very close, but she still hasn’t found a way to shake it off and grab a Slam. Pliskova just won Rome, and she is ranked No. 2. She is quicker than she used to be. But on clay? I am not sure she can focus every match at RG. On Wednesday, Pliskova destroyed Kristina Kucova 6-2 6-2, with so many winners.
American Sloane Stephens took out Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1, 7-6. Stephens reached the final last year and she was locked in. She hasn’t had a great year, though, so she has to raise herself, immediately.It is too bad that the Canadian Bianca Andreescu withdrew due to a right shoulder injury. She won Indian Wells and shortly after, she had to stop at Miami. Now she has done it again. She has to fix it and be 100 percent before she plays again.