Easy stuff for Rafa that looks to be the absolute master of the draw.
Seeded no.1, the Mallorcan will start from the second round. His first match should be against the Argentine Guido Pella (world no.94).
Then Rafa is expected to play a Spaniard in the quarters. It will be either Gimeno-Traver (head to head 1-0 for Rafa… 6-1 6-1 in 2nd round of Barcelona 2011) or Montanes. (head to head 4-0 for Rafa that has never lost a set).
In the semifinal the King of Clay may play either Chardy (never played before), Lorenzi (that was very close to upset him in Rome 2011) or his dear friend Robredo (head to head 6-0 for Rafa).
Rafa should play the final against his pal Pico Monaco (head to head 4-1 for Rafa).
To recap this should be Rafa’s opponents (seeded players):
2nd round – Pella
Quarters – Gimeno-Traver
Semifinal – Chardy
Final – Monaco
The winner will take 74.000 dollars and 250pts. It shouldn’t be so important for Rafa as it seems that he got 1.2mil dollars only to participate.
We can see only one champion in this tournament… unless Rafa has problems to his knee… touch wood!
Rafa’s first training
