Rafael Nadal faces Benjamin Becker on Wednesday in Round 2 of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. The match is slated for 7 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE.
World No. 3 Nadal continued an impressive season last week by adding the Rogers Cup to his list of titles, making eight for the year. He's 48-3 so far, and with the US Open around the corner, can make it nine for the season with win at the Cincinnati Masters.
After an early exit in Wimbledon's first round, Nadal looked in form and healthy at the Rogers Cup final when he defeated Milos Raonic in two sets (6-2, 6-2).
"To win here, I have to be playing my top level," Nadal told the Associated Press after winning his third Rogers Cup. "Very happy the way that I played almost every match in this tournament. Is very important for me, this title. Just very happy for everything."
Now Nadal is aiming to nab his first Rookwood Cup. Becker is the first obstacle in Nadal's way.
Becker, ranked No. 100 in the World, is the clear underdog. He's 5-14 with zero titles this year. The German has only one WTA title to his name and has a career-record of 102-147. The furthest he reached in a Grand Slam tournament was the fourth round in the 2006 US Open. This year, he fell in the second round of the Australian Open and the first round of the French Open.
Still, Becker can take hope in Steve Darcis, the World No. 152 who bounced Nadal from Wimbledon in the opening round.
Wednesday will be the second meeting ever between Becker and Nadal, who defeated the German in two sets at 2008 Miami.
*Stats via ATPWorldTour.com and MatchStat.com.
