Rafael Nadal continues his quest for a ninth French Open crown tonight in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Join The Roar live from 8:30pm AEST for all the action, and have your say in the comments below.
He will play little known Dusan Lajovic who (like his countryman Novak Djokovic) has reached the round of sixteen here in Paris and will be looking to take the biggest scalp of his career against the Spanish superstar.
Both players have been extremely impressive so far in the tournament as they have not lost a set as yet.
Lajovic ranked 83 in the world, has beaten three unseeded players on his way to the fourth round as he has taken advantage of a relatively easy draw to this point.
Rafa Nadal has done likewise, however he is carrying a back injury which may impact him from now onwards as we enter the second week of the tournament.
For Lajovic this will easily be the biggest test of his career. To play “the King of Clay” on the biggest court in France will be a massive challenge for the Serb. However with Nadal’s back injury and his recent performances he may be able to push the man from Spain. You would think he won’t have the game or the class for Nadal.
The winner of this match will book a spot in the Quarter Finals and will play the winner of Kevin Anderson from South Africa or the more likely opponent in the fifth seed from Spain and runner up from 2013, David Ferrer.
A massive match for Lajovic to show the tennis world what he has got but don’t underestimate the importance this match has for Rafa too as he looks to embark on a ninth French Open title to continue his position as the top player in the world.
You can catch all the action from tonight’s match here from 8:30 AEST.
Prediction:
Can’t go past Rafa. Nadal to win in three competitive sets.
rosetta baker
Guest
My cable channel does not carry tennis channel so I have watched all the fench open on espn2, why does espn2 tell us who won before we see the match. It makes no since to watch it if they tell us before hand that sharapova has already won before we see the match
Johnno
Guest
Too easy Nadal. 8 French opens maybe going on 9. If Rafa gets to 10 French open's he may well be the best tennis player ever.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Set - Match - Rafael Nadal. There it is for Rafael Nadal! It was another break of serve through another brilliant topspin forehand winner that puts the "King of Clay" through to the quarter finals once again here at Roland Garros. Nadal who is searching for his ninth French Open title and his fifth in a row was simply too good for the young Serbian Dusan Lajovic today who will learn a lot from the master class given towards him by Nadal today. He broke him at the start of every set and despite breaking Nadal twice, Lajovic himself got broken numerous times throughout the day as Nadal broke him physically and mentally. Dusan will now move on to Wimbledon as he prepares himself for his third Grand Slam title, while for Nadal he will now start to be tested. His next game against David Ferrer should be a beauty and will be a replay of last years final that Nadal won comfortably. Thats all from me here at the Roar today until next time, good night! Final Score: Rafael Nadal (1) defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 in just 90 minutes.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Lajovic. Credit to Lajovic who breaks Nadal as he serves for the match. A ripping backhand cross court to finish that game and get himself on the board in this final set. Nadal still leads 5-1 however.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Another strong hold for Nadal. As we look at the draw now it seems as though he will take on fellow countryman David Ferrer who got through his game today against Kevin Anderson. He leads 5-0 third set and is now about to serve for the match.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Just a matter of time now before Rafa moves onto the quarter finals and Dusan looks forward to Wimbledon. Rafa leads 4-0 third set.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Double fault from Lajovic pretty much sums up his match so far today. Just the quality of Nadal compared to his first three opponents is something he has not been able to deal with. Both the speed and power from the Nadal racquet is just phenomenal. Rafael Nadal leads 3-0.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Rafael holds yet again in this one sided match however Lajovic is playing better tennis now. He will learn a lot out of todays match and we will see a lot more of him in the future. Serbian tennis is looking strong with him and Djokovic both making the round of sixteen here. Nadal leads 2-0 in the third set.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Early break yet again for Nadal. He has just shattered the confidence of Lajovic at the start of every set today. Dusan has had to play from behind all day and it seems it will remain that way until it finishes. Rafa continues to put on a clinic and leads 1-0 at the start of the third and most likely final set.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Set - Nadal. After Lajovic had three break points in that game unfortunately for him he could not convert any. Nadal then converted his chance and therefore held serve and took the second set. Lajovic is starting to show what he is made of yet the scoreline shows the nature of the match. Nadal in cruise control and is looking very good on Court Philippe Chatrier. Nadal leads 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Lajovic. Back to back holds for the Serb. Looks to be finally setting into the match which is great to see. Nadal will serve for the set though after the change of ends. Nadal leads 5 games to 2.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. The strong performance continues. The top seed leads 5-1 in the second set as the game approaches the hour mark.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Lajovic. Well done. Lajovic does well to hold serve their in the fifth game of the set. Despite the scoreline Lajovic looks to be a decent player and one to look out for in the future. He is finding out today just how hard he will have to work if we wants to become a great player. Nadal has been simply awesome so far. He leads 4-1 in the second set.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. 18 out of the last 19 points have gone to Rafa. Total domination. Hopefully Lajovic keeps his head up and possibly Nadal may drop his level. No signs of that however. Rafa leads 4-0.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Wow. This is just a clinic from Nadal. Starting to feel sorry for Dusan Lajovic. He is not playing poorly at all in this match however Rafa just looks superb. He now has a double break in the second set. Nadal 3-0.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Unbelievable force from Nadal especially off the forehand wing. He is really freeing up now and looks to be playing games with him now. This could be over pretty quickly. Nadal 2-0 as he consolidates the break.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Well Rafa continues where he left off. Lajovic continues to struggle especially on serve. Serving at 58% and has already made 20 unforced errors. Easy work for Rafa. Nadal 1-0 second set.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Set - Nadal. So as expected an easy start for Nadal here on Court Philippe Chatrier. Lajovic showed some better signs towards the end of that set but he is still struggling with the spin and bounce coming from the Nadal racquet as the unforced errors rose rapidly during that set. The "King of Clay" takes the opening set 6-1 in 31 minutes.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Lajovic. He is on the board! The crowd get behind the Serb and finally he pulls through in this opening set. Credit to him he is working very hard but Nadal is just unbelievable on this surface. He will serve for the set next as he leads 5-1.
Will Taylor
Roar Guru
Game - Nadal. Looking comfortable and untroubled at this stage Rafa. He leads 5-0.