On Thursday, nine-time champion Rafael Nadal will play his second round match at the French Open against Argentine Facundo Bagnis (World No. 99), who beat Frenchman Kenny De Schepper in three sets.
The Argentinian lefty player has never reached the third round of a Grand Slam. He has played 13 tournaments this season and all of them have been on clay.
This is the first time these two competitors will meet on the professional tour.
Date: May 26, 2016
Match time: Rafa is 2nd match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Approximately 1 PM local time / 7 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 12 noon BST – United Kingdom / 1 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 9 PM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Our champ, who won Roland Garros in 2005-08 and 2010-14, is trying to become the first player in the Open Era to win 10 titles at any Grand Slam event. He already is the only man in history to have won five consecutive titles at Roland Garros. Rafa is 71-2 in Paris.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Earlier today I wondered if Rafa would be doing his pre-tournament routine. Sure enough Twitter has a pic of him doing so. A must see.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa I luv U. CONGRATZ on your 2nd match win. Keep going forward Champ! Disprove EVERYONE who said you got the worst draw. Fly through your next 5 matches as easily as you did for 1 & 2. So very proud of you.
Keep mixing it up.
RAFA ROCKS
That is very wrong. Of course he’s slower than he used to be – we all bloody are. And im sure rafa will not be ‘finished’ if he doesnt win rg this year – he’s a warrior and will carry on. Just heard rafa is 5 3 up in 3rd set
Oh no teresa – what type of stuff is he saying? I usually like jim but am not impressed with that!
Various over the tournament: ‘He is slower than he used to be. Novak annihilated him last year. If the doesn’t win this he is finished’ GGGGGRRRRR
Jim Courier has practically written Rafa off for this tournament. I’ve only heard negative comments from him. He is irritating the hell out of me:(((
Oh good god – theyve taken rafa off to show novaks match. I feel violated! But rafa is 2 sets up so hope he has a smooth 3rd
Had Rafa been losing they would have shown it for the sadistic drama!
Slow start for Rafa – he looked a little out of sorts – mean and moody – now got his rhythm. Love you Raffy. No mercy! VAMOS xxxx
C’mon Rafa, 2 sets to go. YOU CAN DO IT.
RAFA ROCKS