8/03/2013

Levine could face Nadal in the second round in Montreal

The Canadian Jesse Levine learned much bad news Friday afternoon after the draw of the Rogers Cup. It could cross the road to Rafael Nadal in the second round if he manages to eliminate Belgian Xavier Malisse in the curtain raiser of the tournament.

The Spaniard, Fourth World racket, acknowledged that the crowd might be favorable to Levine, Ottawa, whether to confront the second round. However, this did not seem to bother too much.

"I often play against opponents who are at home, but I honestly have nothing to say against them, told Nadal. I always get the love of the public, even though I know that the local player will get encouragement from the crowd. I know that Montreal fans know tennis and follow the rules of "fair play", so I'm certainly not disappointed. "

Nadal, winner of 12 Grand Slam titles in his career, said Montreal and love the atmosphere that prevails there. He also admitted that the tournament will always hold a special place in her heart, especially since his victory at Jarry Park in 2005.

"It was a really special moment for me. It was my first career victory on a hard surface against one of the best players in history - Andre Agassi in the final - and I gave them one of my best performances of his career. These memories come back to me every time I come back here. "

On the other hand, Nadal was reassuring as to the condition of his left knee and said he did not intend to change his routine in preparation for the Rogers Cup. He has played only one tournament so far this season on hard surfaces in Indian Wells in March, and he won. The Mallorcan had at the same time won his 53rd career title and his first on the hard surface from the Tokyo in October 2010.

"I only played one tournament on the hard surface for about a year, but the experience was successful in Indian Wells. Playing conditions were particularly good - they were probably the best for my style of play on the hard surface. I arrived here on Wednesday to adapt my game to the surface, because I love this tournament, and I worked very hard to be ready for my first game.

"My last tournament was a few weeks - he was eliminated in the first round of Wimbledon on June 24, the 135th player in the world Steve Darcis - and I know it is not ideal to prepare myself, but I will do my best to be successful. "

Nadal, like the seven other top seeds - Switzerland's Roger Federer withdrew because of back spasms - received a bye in the first round. Eugène Lapierre, director of the Rogers Cup, returned briefly to the abandonment of the fifth player in the world at the end of the draw.

"I have not spoken directly to Roger, but his agent, told Lapierre. After the tournament in Gstaad, it became a question for Montreal. At the end of the game, he made it clear he was not feeling well and I think it would have been a surprise to see him here. "

Filip Peliwo, who received a bye into the main draw following the withdrawal of Federer, will face in the first round the Finn Jarkko Nieminen. Milos Raonic, the 13th player in the world, for its part, will cross swords with the French Jeremy Chardy. Their compatriot Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, British Columbia, on his side face the American giant John Isner in the first round, while Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ontario, will wait until Sunday evening before knowing the identity of the skilled player that will play.

The Rogers Cup, part of the circuit of the ATP Masters 1000 World Tour, offers a grant of more than U.S. $ 3 million and attracts top professional tennis players in the world. The tournament, which is part of the preparedness of the United States International, will run from August 2 to 11. The World No. 1 Novak Djokovic won the last men's Rogers Cup in Montreal in 2011, and he successfully defended his title last year in Toronto.

No comments:

Post a Comment