May 8, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Rafael Nadal, seeking his fifth title in seven tournaments to date in 2013, defeated Benoit Paire of France 6-3, 6-4 on in the second round of the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open. "That’s an important victory today," said Nadal. "Each match in this kind of tournament is very demanding from the first round. He was a very uncomfortable opponent. He makes you play quite badly. He doesn’t give you any rhythm. He has one of the best backhands in the circuit, without any doubt."
Since returning in February from a knee injury, Nadal has compiled a 27-2 match record and won singles titles in Sao Paulo, Acapulco, Indian Wells and Barcelona. He is looking for his third Mutua Madrid Open title, following victories in 2005 and in 2010. Next up for Nadal will be either 11th seed Nicolas Almagro or Mikhail Youzhny.
Also in action was seventh seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who set a third-round matchup with Fernando Verdasco after defeating Dutch qualifier Robin Haase 7-6(5), 7-6(2). Tsonga is coming off a semifinal appearance at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters where he lost to Nadal and takes a 2-1 lifetime head-to-head lead into the match with Verdasco.
