Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are acquainted foes.
However virtually at all times, they’re squaring off towards the tip of a tennis match — not the second spherical.
The latter situation is what we’ve got on the Olympics after Nadal beat Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 within the first spherical on Sunday at Roland Garros.
The win arrange a get-your-popcorn-ready, Spherical-of-32 conflict in Paris, following Djokovic’s 6-1, 6-0 win over Matthew Ebden of Australia on Saturday.
“If we get to face one another, it’s going to be probably the final time we’re going to face one another on a giant stage,” Djokovic instructed reporters Saturday, per ESPN. “So I’m certain that individuals would take pleasure in it. I’m trying ahead to it, and I’ll be prepared for that matchup.”
Djokovic, the highest seed, has a slim 30-29 lead on Nadal in head-to-head competitors. They’ve by no means performed towards one another earlier than the quarterfinals in a standard match.
Nadal, who was chosen to participate within the Olympic torch-lighting ceremony on the Paris opening ceremony, beat Djokovic within the semifinals of the 2008 Beijing Video games en path to gold.
The Spaniard, 38, is the king of clay, having received 14 profession French Open titles on the similar Roland Garros stadium.
However Djokovic, 37, has a file 24 Grand Slam titles, two greater than Nadal.
The Serb remains to be searching for his first Olympic medal.
