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Everything points to what could be the most one-sided match of the French Open when the king of clay Rafael Nadal takes on big-serving Aussie Sam Groth. Join The Roar for live scores from 8:30pm (AEST).
While Nadal has always produced his best results on the clay court – being a nine time winner at Rolan Garros – Groth has traditionally struggled.
With Groth’s serve being his main weapon, which clay doesn’t generally suit, and the rain around Paris over the last few days slowing the court further makes the result almost a formality.
This is only the second time the Australian has appeared at the French Open, being bundled out in the first round last year. He did however, make the third round at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon last year.
Groth historically wins only just over 50 per cent of his clay court matches – which is rather astounding when you consider that mark is closer to 70 on grass.
His form coming into the tournament wouldn’t exactly fill him with hope either, given he hasn’t played a single match on clay and has only won three of his last ten. That includes retirements at each of his last two tournaments, citing fitness issues.
Nadal comes into the tournament as the fourth seed, although he hasn’t seen the quarter-finals of a grand slam since this time last year. His run of poor form all came to a head in January, when he was knocked out of the Australian Open in the first round by Fernando Verdasco.
But with strong form coming in, this is Nadal’s chance to turn things around and put himself back on top of the tennis world.
He has had four tournaments on clay since the middle of April, winning in both Monte Carlo and Barcelona, before losing to Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in Madrid and Rome respectively.
This pair have never faced off before this meeting, which may be the only advantage Groth can draw on, given Nadal has never seen the serve.
Prediction
If Groth wins more than a few games, let alone a set, it would be a miracle. Despite the decline of Nadal over the last few years he won’t be troubled here.
Nadal in straight sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this first round match from 8:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde