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French Open Champion Rafael Nadal continues his Wimbledon preparations later today when he takes on Radek Sepanek in the third round of the ATP AEGON Championships.
Well known as ‘Queens’ this tournament gives players the chance to improve their grass game ahead of arguably the biggest tennis event of all on the courts of Wimbledon.
Fresh from his victory at Roland Garros, Nadal takes to the court today to face the Czech Republic’s Stepanek and there is no doubt that the Spaniard is expected to come out on top.
There may be some fatigue from the emotion of events in Paris, but Nadal is a model professional and isn’t the best player in the world for nothing.
The French Open victory will be forgotten about now and he will simply be focused on getting himself in the best shape possible ahead of Wimbledon.
He has enjoyed an easy path into the third round of the AEGON Championship so far and will be confident of progressing to the quarter-final stage with a victory today. He will then aim to secure the first grass court title of the year at Queen’s club tournament.
Being the focused individual he is, he won’t be taking Stepanek lightly. Of course he is overwhelming favourite to win, probably in straight sets, but he will know by now that opponents will attempt to raise their game against him.
Stepanek is a 6’1” right-handed player who is well known for his after-shot grunting and enthusiastic celebrations. A career spanning 15 years to date, he has won 7 titles with a highest world ranking of number 8 back in 2006.
The 32-year-old is certainly a lively character who will joke with the crowd regularly and attempt to put Nadal off his game.
He has been around many years now, so will not fear Nadal. There will be respect there of course, but he will look to take the game to the Spaniard.
For the crowd that turns out in London, this will hopefully be an entertaining match with a few twists and turns along the way.
Of course Nadal is expected to win, but if he is made to work hard for his place in the last eight, it will be more interesting as a spectacle as Wimbledon preparations continue.
