Barcelona Open (Photo : Getty Images)
Top-seeds Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori will try to book a semifinal seat on Friday, but both are facing testy challenges with Rafa set to take on a familiar foe in Fabio Fognini while Nishikori plays seasoned netter Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Rafael Nadal vs. Fabio Fognini at 9:30 a.m US ET: Tennis Channel, Live Stream on Tennis Channel everywhere, Sports Stream / Scores & Stats - Pro Tennis Live
What's at stake? The Bull of Monacor looks to continue his incredible run that started all the way back in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters. Nadal is on a seven-match winning streak and he totally doesn't want to end either the streak or his bid to become a 9 time Barcelona Open champion at the hands of Fognini, who has given him all sorts of trouble the past 2 years.
Nadal may have the lead in head-to-head encounter 6-3 but Fognini won two of their last three matches. Last year, the Italian beat Rafa for the first time on the very same clay in Barcelona 6-4, 7-6. On Friday, Fognini wants nothing but another win over the man known as the King of Clay.
Prediction & Predicted Winner: Talking about a championship atmosphere in the quarterfinal round of Barcelona Open, Nadal may have been the gold standard on clay for the last 10 to 12 years but Fognini is one of the better clay-court players today.
It's going to be toe-to-toe match with Nadal launching deep forehands while Fognini countering with his all-out style of playing. I am predicting another classic showdown between these two gallant clay-court masters, but I believe this version of Nadal, though still notches below his former dominant self, will be enough to dispatch the Italian. Nadal 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
Kei Nishikori vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov at 8:30 a.m US ET: Tennis Channel, Live Stream on Tennis Channel Everywhere, Sports Stream / Scores & Stats - Pro Tennis Live
What's at stake: Nishikori stressed he entered the tournament with a goal of nothing less than a three-time crown in Barcelona. Through his first two matches, Japan's no.1 easily disposed Theimo de Bakker and Jeremy Chardy in straight sets. In short, he has never been pushed that much in the tourney.
Dolgopolov, on the other hand, survived a three-set battle with Evgeny Donsky of Russia 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 before fending off Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-5 in the third round. Despite mixed results in the past two matches, Dolgopolov is known to be really tough opponent in the ATP tour.
Prediction & Predicted Winner: Although it's true that Dolgopolov will give Nishikori some test in their upcoming face-off, I am still picking the Japanese to emerge as the winner. Nishikori has been laser focused in this tournament that a third final appearance is almost in the bag. Nishikori 6-3, 6-3.
