By: Sarah Alvanipour (Exclusive to VamosRafael.com)
May 30, 2024
The sun broke through the clouds today in Paris, shining brightly down on the Terre de Battu and perhaps on Rafael Nadal�s French Open hopes as well. The Parisian crowd, too, donned a more cheerful disposition as they assembled for the continuation of yesterday�s partisan fourth-round match between Nadal and the local favorite, Sebastian Grojsean. The match had see-sawed in momentum with the young Nadal routinely taking the first set before a controversial call and light rain dampened the atmosphere, rattling Nadal�s game and allowing the Frenchman to claim the second set. It was not over for birthday boy Grosjean, however, as Nadal came back to break him early in the third set to take a 3-0 lead before play was officially suspended.
When Rafa took the court today, he looked to build on that lead. With a stare of determination that is often engraved on his face, the Spaniard prepared to receive serve in the fourth game. Some crafty net play from Nadal that tested both his nerves and his reflexes as well as a gift from Grosjean, a double fault�only his second of the match�gave Rafael break point. When a forehand crosscourt sailed wide off of Sebastian�s racquet, the No. 4 seed and tournament co-favorite earned a 4-0 lead.
As the wind picked up, sweeping the clay with gusts in excess of 20 mph, the sun also picked up as did Nadal�s game. With temperatures on the rise and a drier court, the conditions at least favored the youngster, if the crowd did not. Rafael was tested by Grosjean who continued to hit deep into the court, but a balance of offensive and defensive play from the Spanish No. 1 held him in good stead as he continued to coast through the second set to hold at 5-0. Grosjean, perhaps feeling the pressure on double set point in the sixth game, netted a backhand volley attempt to concede the third set 0-6.
The fourth and final set, was a demonstration in grit and determination from both players, as they struggled to save break points. Rafael faced two break points, the first since being broken in the second set, at 1-1, but managed to hold for a 2-1 lead. While both players engaged in a series of hard-hitting rallies, it was Nadal who broke through on the crucial eighth game to take a 5-3 lead and the chance to serve out the match. While Grosjean saved the first of three match points, he was not able to keep the French hopes alive any longer as lone hope remaining in the men�s field. A shot sailed just wide to give Nadal the win and a berth into his first quarterfinal appearance at a Grand Slam. For today, �V� stood for both �vamos� and �victory.�
Meanwhile, out on Court 1, the defending French Open champion, Gaston Gaudio squandered a 4-0 lead in the fifth set to bow out to David Ferrer, who will next face Nadal in the quarterfinals. Nadal leads their head-to-head meetings 2-1 with their last encounter just weeks ago in the semifinals of the AMS Roma, where Nadal prevailed in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 7-5) en route to winning his second Masters Shield.
Another Argentine, Guillermo Coria, a sentimental favorite after experiencing a �Jana Novotna� moment in the final last when he fell to his compatriot, also suffered a similar fate, losing to a resurgent Nicolay Daveydenko, leaving Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as the tournament�s main hopes. Should both men live up to their respective seedings, they will clash in a much-anticipated semifinal encounter, with the winner heavily favored to win the crown.
**Please do not reproduce without giving credit to the original source and VamosRafael.com.**
Return to VamosRafael.com.
Return to VamosRafael.com Articles
.
