On Thursday, Rafael Nadal will face countryman Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (No. 69) in the third round of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. The veteran right-hander advanced after Kei Nishikori retired down 3-6.
Date: April 26, 2018
Match time: Rafa is third match on Pista Rafa Nadal. Around 2.30 PM local time / 8.30 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 1.30 PM BST – United Kingdom / 2.30 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 10.30 PM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on playing Garcia-Lopez:
He is aggressive, he has good punches and good service, he will not go out on the court without believing he can win, he has experience in important matches and he has won good people.
I have to be prepared to play better than today.
Rafa leads their head to head 4-1 and he won their last meeting, at the Barcelona Open in 2012.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2010 | Bangkok Thailand |
Indoor Hard | SF | Guillermo Garcia-Lopez | |
| 2008 | Chennai India |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2005 | Valencia Spain |
Indoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
Good luck & Vamos Rafa!
Source: ATP World Tour
Love your wins. Off to the QF.
Great score for Rafa. Garcia-Lopez is the third Spaniard who lost today.
Dimitrov made it to the QF after having dropped his second set and winning the third set decider 7[10] vs Jarizi 6[8]. That was close. I suspect more surprises ahead.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Dimitrov, as usual, is playing his repulsive primadonna role. Hope he also leaves ASAP.
Wamos Rafa,you are the best.
Finish him in record time Rafa! And if you can’t? Well, just finish him:)
Rafa all the best today against you fellow country man.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Vamos Rafa <3