Federer, Djokovic, Kerber, Osaka, Halep, Pliskova, and Thiem will all play their second round matches. In addition, Juan Martin Del Potro returns to the singles court a day after a successful return to doubles with partner Kei Nishikori. And in what could be the last match of his career, David Ferrer takes on a fellow countryman who is the best candidate to take on the nickname “Little Beast.”
Roberto Bautista Agut vs. David Ferrer (WC)
Does Ferrer have one last big win in him before retiring? The 37-year-old announced this tournament in his home country would be his last. In his opening round, he’ll face a Spaniard six years his junior with a similar style of play, and similar fighting spirit. This will be their first career meeting outside of a Major. Their previous three matches were all extended battles decided in four sets. Ferrer took the first two in 2013, while Bautista Agut prevailed more recently at the 2017 Australian Open. David already accumulated a few impressive victories on his farewell tour, most notably over Sascha Zverev in Miami. And in what could be a twist of fate, Zverev awaits the winner of this match in the next round. Two weeks ago in Barcelona, Ferrer lost to another fellow Spaniard, Rafael Nadal. A loss on home soil to a dogged competitor like Bautista Agut would seem an appropriate way to go out, though you know Ferrer give his all to the last point. And a victory is not out of the question, especially on clay which is not Roberto’s strongest surface. And this will surely be an uncomfortable assignment for Bautista Agut. Perhaps I’m picking with my heart, but I think we may just see one more thrilling Ferrer victory before he calls it quits.
Simona Halep (3) vs. Johanna Konta
This will be the first match of the day on Manolo Santana. Overall Konta has gotten the better of this rivalry, leading their head-to-head 3-2. Their biggest encounter was in the Wimbledon quarterfinals two years ago, which Konta won 6-4 in the third to reach her second Major semifinal. But since that career highlight in her home country, she has struggled with her confidence as well as with injury. Konta only has two victories at a Major since that Wimbledon, has no titles, and is ranked outside the top 40. And clay has never been a good surface for the 27-year-old. However, Konta got some momentum going on the terra baute just last week, making the final in Rabat. Meanwhile Halep has been steady this year, yet less than stellar. She has 19 match wins, but has only made one final with no titles. Perhaps reuniting with her former coach Daniel Dobre will help Simona lift a trophy over the next few weeks. This stretch of the clay season has been good to Halep in the past, but she’ll surely feel the pressure of having 2,800 points to defend between Madrid, Rome, and Paris. Still, Halep will be the favorite against Konta on clay.
Other Notable Matches on Tuesday in Madrid:
- Novak Djokovic (1) begins his 2019 Madrid campaign against 21-year-old American Taylor Fritz (Q), who yesterday upset Grigor Dimitrov.
- Dominic Thiem (5), the second-best clay courter in the world over the past several seasons, also faces a young American, in the 6’11” Reilly Opelka (Q).
- Roger Federer (4) will play his first match on clay since May of 2016 against Richard Gasquet. Federer leads their head-to-head 16-2, but Gasquet’s two victories both came on clay.
- World No.1 Naomi Osaka (1) vs. 22-year-old Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo (WC).
- Angelique Kerber (4) vs. Petra Martic, who just won a clay title in Istanbul nine days ago.
