The Spanish Feliciano López overcame the first round of the 1,000 Masters in Paris on Monday after defeating Serbian Filip Krajinovic, 30 in the world, 7-6 (11) and 6-1, for what his compatriot will be measured Rafael Nadal, favorite number 1, who will seek before him his 1,000 victory on the circuit.
The manchego He is currently ranked 64th in the ranking, becoming the fourth player to win a match in a Masters 1,000 at the age of 39 and the most veteran who does it in Paris.
It will be the first duel between the two Spanish friends since 2015 and Nadal, who has lost the last two games against López, will seek his first win against him since 2012, although he has won 9 of the 13 previous appointments.
Four wins against Nadal
Feliciano is, with four wins, the second Spaniard who has beaten Nadal the most times, behind David Ferrer who defeated him six times. For the Toledo, the duel comes at a good time and he considered it “a gift.”
“It is a gift to play against Rafa, it will be a shame that the stadium is empty,” López lamented on restrictions on public entry due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“At this point in my career, I would have liked to play against the best in history, a friend, with a full stadium. But I will still enjoy it without an audience, I would have loved itdo enjoy it under normal conditions. It’s always a very nice game to play against Rafa, “he added.
Better indoors
López indicated that against Nadal “it is better to face him ‘indoors’ than on clay” but “it is always a challenge, because he is special, because of the intensity with which the games against him are lived, because of how demanding he makes you “.
“For any mortal player, facing Rafa or Roger (Federer) in a tournament like this, at 39, is a prize. Rafa is a great champion, he is in an incredible moment after winning Roland Garros. He is always the favorite, against me and against 99.9% of the players, “he said.
But López indicated that He is in good shape, having been able to play some games during the pandemic that have kept him well physically.
“At first I didn’t feel good physically, but I’ve gotten better. I feel good, the few games that I have been able to play I have not felt bad. I have no physical problems. But there has been little competition, it is difficult to chain weeks with games which is what it takes to feel good. There are not so many opportunities to compete, “said the manchego who said he wanted to” play one more year. “
