The French Open draw has been made in Paris and Rafael Nadal faces a major test if he is to claim ‘La Decima’. He has been drawn in the same half of the draw as defending champion Novak Djokovic, Milos Raonic and Dominic Thiem.
Rafa will meet Benoit Paire in the first round as he looks to add to his incredible 72-2 record at the clay-court Grand Slam championship, where he has clinched the 2005-08, 2010-14 crowns.
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Beniot Paire
- 2nd round: Viktor Troicki
- 3rd round: Gilles Simon
- 4th round: Jack Sock
- Quarter-final: Milos Raonic
- Semi-final: Novak Djokovic or Dominic Thiem
- Final: Andy Murray or Stan Wawrinka
Potential French Open 2017 quarter-final draw (if top seeds win through):
- Andy Murray v Kei Nishikori
- Stanislas Wawrinka v Marin Cilic
- Milos Raonic v Rafael Nadal
- Dominic Thiem v Novak Djokovic
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
Rafa’s [Singles] Roland-Garros Record
-72 wins [all-time record], 2 defeats.
-9 titles. He’s unbeaten in final.
-5 straight titles [all-time record] from 2010 to 2014. 39-match winning streak [all-time record] between first round 2010 and QF 2015.
-12 participations at RG prior to 2017, the first in 2005, the year of his first title.
-56 matches played on center court [all-time record, like Stefi Graff in women’s], Rafa’s first was in 2005 vs Xavier Malisse.
NOTABLE WINS OVER:
Roger: semi-final 2005, final in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011.
Nole: QF 2006, semi-final’s 2007, 2008, 2013; final’s in 2012 and 2014.
Andy: semi-final in 2011 and 2014.
Stan: QF 2013.
[from Roland-Garros.com]
I just noticed that some of the stats I posted from Roland Garros.com already had been posted by RNF in the Paire post. My apologies for the redundancy.
RAFA ROCKS ROLAND-GARROS
I am calling on the original Greek Olympians to guide you through your on-paper, relatively easy draw, to a win in the final. Let this draw translate to a win.
I know you will give it your all so the best to you in your quest for that tenth, that decima, that dixième.
RAFA ROCKS ROLAND GARROS
Hi Rafa, I know you always do your best on every match. You will just have to adjust your way to each individual opponent but always be aggressive and focus and not waste your shot. Do not keep going back and forth too many times as your opponent will take a chance on the open court, you have to use it instead. Good luck we are all for you, Vamos Rafa