PARIS, JULY 29 :  Spain’s Rafael Nadal is set to face his long-time rival Novak Djokovic in a thrilling second-round match at the 2024 Olympic tennis tournament. The two legends, who together hold an astounding 46 Grand Slam titles, will meet earlier than usual in a clash that promises high drama and exceptional tennis.

“It’s always special to play against Novak,” Nadal commented. “Usually, we face each other in finals or semifinals, but this time it’s the second round. Every match against him is tough, and my current situation makes it even more challenging. But I always have hope, believe in myself, and will give my best.”

Nadal’s upcoming match follows his hard-fought victory over Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics on Sunday. Cheered on by the fans at Roland Garros, Nadal triumphed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 after two and a half hours of intense play.

Despite a brief setback when Fucsovics led 3-2 in the third set, Nadal’s resilience carried him through to victory.

Reflecting on his performance, the 38-year-old Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion at Roland Garros, said, “I started well in the first set but lost my rhythm and focus. When that happens, the opponent gains momentum, and I was in trouble. However, I’m happy with the win; it means a lot to keep going and have the chance to play again tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, China’s female players made impressive strides in the singles competition, with all advancing to the second round.

Wang Xinyu, 22, quickly dispatched Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour. Her compatriot Wang Xiyu followed with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Czech player Linda Noskova. Yuan Yue overcame a tough match against Ekaterina Alexandrova, winning 7-5, 6-7(0), 6-2. “It was a long game, but I gave it my all,” Yuan said. “Regardless of the result, I’m satisfied with my performance. It’s my best match on clay this year.”

Zheng Qinwen, the tournament’s sixth seed, completed the Chinese women’s success with a decisive 6-0, 6-0 win over Italy’s Sara Errani. “With the tight Olympic schedule, it’s crucial to finish matches quickly to conserve energy for tougher opponents,” said Zheng, who recently defended her title at the Palermo Ladies Open. “Clay courts test your endurance, and the longer the match, the greater the physical toll.”

However, it was a challenging day for China’s sole male player, Zhang Zhizhen, who succumbed to dizziness and a headache, losing to the Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac in three sets.(UNI)