Rome Masters (Photo : Getty Images)
The Italian Open quarterfinals kick off with two exciting matches featuring the much-anticipated battle between tourney favorites Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and the duel between old rivals Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova
Nadal vs. Djokovic at 10:00 a.m US ET: Live Stream @ ESPN Watch, Sports Stream / Scores @ Pro Tennis Live
What's at stake: After back-to-back victories in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, Nadal's momentum was halted after bowing in straight sets to Murray in the semis of Madrid Masters. A win over the Briton could have set him up for a blockbuster final with Djokovic. He could have had the opportunity to prove that he's back as the King of Clay. Instead, the Serb claimed his 29th Masters title.
Roughly a week later, here they are: Nadal and Djokovic will face off for the 49th time. While the Rome Masters title isn't at stake on Friday, the title as the presumptive favorite entering the French Open championships will be on the line in Rome.
Prediction: both coming off hard-earned victories, the 49th encounter between Djokovic and Nadal has all the makings of another clay-court classic. The Serb hasn't been as dominant as he was in Madrid, but analysts believe the world's no1 early rounds hiccups won't be a factor at all as he has a tendency to elevate his game when facing quality foes.
As for Nadal, he's expected to come out on fire right from the get-go. The Spaniard has been on the losing end of his rivalry with Djokovic the past six matches. In fact, Nadal's last win over the Serb dates back to 2014 when he defeated him in the finals of Roland Garros.
Every point is important in this match of this magnitude, especially if it goes the distance. When the dust settles, I predict Nadal to book straights set win over Djokovic, sending the message for the entire tennis world that he's the back as the man to beat at the French Open.
Williams vs. Kuznetsova at 1:30 p.m US ET: Live Stream @ ESPN Watch, Sports Stream / Scores @ Pro Tennis Live
What's on the line: Williams never missed a bit after skipping the past four weeks of European clay-court season. Seeking for an Open Era record-tying 22nd Grand Slam, Williams knows very much the importance of bagging the Italian Open before kicking off her Roland Garros campaign. Facing her will be long-time rival and former French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, who defeated the world's no.1 at the Miami Masters.
Prediction: Based on her performance the past two matches, I see Williams cruising through a straight set victory over the Russian. Williams Kuznetsova has been playing fine tennis through the early rounds, though Williams is much tougher opponent at this stage of the tourney. Williams winning 6-3, 6-3.
