French Open 2022: Djokovic, Nadal and the question with the night session
In the quarterfinals of the French Open, there could be a clash betweenNovak Djokovic andRafael Nadal . The possible giant duel is already casting its shadow.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 29, 2022, 06:36 am
Since the draw at the Stade de Roland Garros, the entire tennis world has been waiting for just one duel: that between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal . Since biathlete Quentin Fillon Maillet drew the two exceptional talents into the same quarter at the ceremony before the start of the tournament, there could be a direct duel between the two in the round of eight on Tuesday.
The expected giant duel between Djokovic and Nadal also provided plenty to talk about at the weekend, specifically it was about the possible scheduling of the quarter-finals game: Since last year the French Open Night Sessions have also been taking place, the Serb and the Spaniard could meet in the evening.
Nadal: 'I don't like playing on clay at night'
This would be a clear advantage for Djokovic, who would probably cope with the conditions much better than Nadal. After his third round win over Botic van de Zandschulp, he made no secret of his preference: "I don't like playing on clay at night because the humidity is higher, the ball is slower and the conditions can be very 'heavy' - especially when it's is cold."
In view of these circumstances, Djokovic would probably control Nadal's spin - which would then no longer be quite as aggressive - much better than in warm conditions during the day. "I can only say that Rafa and I would make different applications," said the world number one when asked whether he would rather play during the day or in the evening.
Since the encounter between Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz could be another extremely attractive match on the program, a lot still seems to be open in view of the schedule for Tuesday. In any case, all four have to play their round of 16 matches beforehand. Djokovic meets Diego Schwartzman, Nadal meets Felix Auger-Aliassime. In the second quarter, Alcaraz faces Karen Khachanov, Zverev plays against Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
Here the individual tableau in Roland Garros
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