Rafael Nadal performs down hopes of one other well-known win over Novak Djokovic in Paris

Rafael Nadal performed down his hopes of one other well-known win over Novak Djokovic when the 2 outdated rivals contest a blockbuster second-round Olympic conflict on Monday.

The 2 most profitable male gamers of all time have performed one another a document 59 occasions earlier than, with Djokovic main by one, however not since a quarter-final received by the Spaniard on the French Open two years in the past.

Now they’ll meet on the identical stage and for a second time on the Olympics, 16 years after Nadal edged a detailed contest within the semi-finals in Beijing.

There was a collective consumption of breath when the draw positioned the 2 outdated stagers so shut collectively in Paris, and Djokovic wanted lower than an hour to see off Australian Matt Ebden on Saturday.

Nadal had been weighing up whether or not to play the match in any respect after considerations over a proper thigh drawback and a late end to his doubles opener with Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday evening.

However the draw of an eleventh duel with Djokovic on the Parisian clay proved robust and Nadal, who missed Wimbledon to arrange for this occasion, gritted his option to a 6-1 4-6 6-4 victory towards Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.

Nadal had received eight of the ten earlier matches, however he stated: “(We’re at) totally different conditions in our careers. He’s coming from being within the last of a grand slam and I’m coming with out being very aggressive within the final two years.

I’m extra unpredictable now, however I all the time have hope, I all the time imagine

Rafael Nadal

“Let’s see, it’s in a particular place. I’m simply going to attempt to give my greatest and revel in it as a lot as potential. It has all the time been tremendous particular to play towards Novak.

“Little doubt about that, however the distinction is often we’ve got been enjoying for finals or semi-finals however that is the second spherical.

“Virtually each single match I performed towards him I used to be in a special state of affairs than I’m as we speak, in order that makes it far more tough for me. I’m extra unpredictable now, however I all the time have hope, I all the time imagine.”

Djokovic described the potential of the match-up as “one final dance” after the draw and, talking on Saturday, he stated of the 14-time French Open champion: “Taking part in him is like finals for me.

“In any event and significantly right here, figuring out what he has achieved and what he’s executed for our sport – significantly right here in Roland Garros – his document speaks for itself.

“So I sit up for it. If we get to face one another, it’s going to be, presumably, the final time we face one another on an enormous stage, so I’m certain that folks would take pleasure in it.”

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova saved her profitable working going, surviving a deciding tie-break towards Sara Sorribes Tormo, whereas there have been additionally victories for Coco Gauff, Caroline Wozniacki and 2021 gold medallist Alexander Zverev.