Barcelona Open (Photo : Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal will try to sustain the momentum he gained from his triumphant stint in Monte Carlo, as he begins his mission of winning a record 9th Barcelona Open against Marcel Granollers. Kei Nishikori, on the other hand, opens his campaign for a third consecutive championship in Barcelona when he takes Thiemo de Bakker in the second round.
Rafael Nadal vs. Marcel Granollers: at 9:00 a.m US ET on Tennis Channel, Sky Sports (UK) / Live Stream on Tennis Channel Everywhere, ESPN Watch & Stream Hunter / Scores & Stats on Pro Tennis Live
On the line: Nadal, fresh off his 28th Masters 1000 tournament title in Monte Carlo, enters Wednesday's match against Granollers oozing confidence after putting up a vintage performance last week. Nadal showed to everybody why he was and still is the King of Clay by beating top-notch foes (Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray) on his way to the finals.
In the championship match, Nadal faced a steep challenge from Frenchman Gael Monfils who was playing spectacular tennis throughout the week in Monte Carlo. Their match went all the way to a third and deciding set, where Nadal took over and never looked back.
Granollers, meanwhile, dispatched Manuel Munoz de la Nava in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. The Spaniard has always been a decent clay-court technician who reached the fourth round of the French Open twice. He faced Nadal three times in his career, losing each of them in straight sets.
Prediction & Predicted Winner: Just over 48 hours after his Monte Carlo victory, Nadal will be back in his bullish self, pummeling his foe with deep forehand and sharp crosscourt shots. It's going to be an all-out clinic for the Bull of Manacor, unless Granollers comes up with a perfect game plan on Wednesday. Nadal 6-3, 6-2.
Kei Nishikori vs Thiemo de Bakker at 7:00 a.m US ET on Tennis Channel, Sky Sports (UK) / Live Stream on Tennis Channel Everywhere, ESPN Watch & Sports Stream / Scores & Stats on Pro Tennis Live
On the line: Nishikori wants to keep his stranglehold of the Barcelona Open intact, despite the fact that he could face a better version of Nadal in the finals. Making a statement would be key for the Japan's no.1 in this match. If he wants to be known as legit contender in the tournament then he has to play like one.
As for De Bakker, the Dutch barely survived a three-set confrontation with 20-year old Swede Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in the first round. The 29-year old de Bakker has eight ATP challenger titles around his belt, but hasn't made any statement in the ATP tour up to this point. Beating a perennial top-10 player like Nishikori would be huge for a career seeking for a big moment.
Prediction & Predicted Winner: Nishikori will be just too much for de Bakker. While de Bakker will have some moments in the match, the Japanese overall talent will overwhelm him from the get-go. I have Nishikori 6-1, 6-2.
