Three to See, Madrid: Halep takes on Sevastova; Nadal plays Goffin

In 13 career matches against Nishikori, Djokovic is 11-2.

Published May 12, 2017

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Each day this week, we'll preview and predict three must-see matches at the Madrid Open.

Novak Djokovic vs. Kei Nishikori

Get there, or get up, early because the highest-profile quarterfinal of the day goes off first, at noon, in Estadio Manolo Santana. The differences between Djokovic’s and Nishikori’s ultra-efficient baseline-based games are not vast, but it doesn’t take much to make a head to head lopsided. Djokovic leads theirs 11-2, has won 10 straight dating back to 2014 and rolled in their last meeting, 6-1, 6-1, at the 2016 World Tour Finals. But the closest of those 10 matches came last year, on clay in Rome, and Nishikori likes this court even better than that one. He reached the Madrid final in 2014 and the semis in 2015 and 2016. Djokovic won their semifinal in Madrid last year, 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Winner: Djokovic

Simona Halep vs. Anastasija Sevastova

Halep and Sevastova played in the quarters two weeks ago in Stuttgart, and Halep won easily, 6-3, 6-1. Can Sevastova dig any deeper into the Romanian’s game? Sevastova has been a steady presence on clay this spring, and she knocked off No. 2 seed Karolina Pliskova in the second round this week. But as smooth as Sevastova is, Halep has another gear, and the defending champ appears to be reaching it in Madrid again.

Winner: Halep

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Rafael Nadal vs. David Goffin

After nine years on tour together, these two had never squared off in an ATP match until they met in Monte Carlo last month. Now we get an immediate rematch, which is not such a bad thing because the first one was marred by a terrible call that went against Goffin. He has the shots and the speed to stay with Rafa on clay, but does he have the size and physicality to do it for two or three sets? Probably not when Nadal is as sharp as he is at the moment.

Winner: Nadal

Three to See, Madrid: Halep takes on Sevastova; Nadal plays Goffin

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