May 31, 2009

Rafa advanced to the fourth round of the French Open for the fifth consecutive year by beating Aussie Lleyton Hewitt on Friday afternoon.

Rafa, now 44-4 in singles matches this year, made quick work of the world's former No.1 player, scoring a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 straight sets victory.

Facing Rafa in today's fourth round of action is Sweden's Robin Soderling. Soderling, who is playing in his sixth French Open, will be making his first ever appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam event. 

HEAD-TO-HEAD ANALYSIS

Rafa has never dropped a match to the 23rd-seeded Soderling, earning a perfect 3-0 record against the Swede.

The two last clashed at the 2009 Masters Series Rome, Rafa delivering a comprehensive 6-0, 6-1 beating to Soderling in the round of 16.

The pair have battled twice at a Grand Slam event, including a well-documented, dramatic five-set match at Wimbledon in 2007. Rafa prevailed after losing a two-set lead in the round of 32, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5.

It’s no secret to anyone that Rafa and Soderling aren’t the best of friends, (like you could have seen at the Wimbledon match) “I’ve said ‘Hi’ to him about seven times since I started playing professionally and he never answers back. I’ve asked other players and it seems I’m not the only one,” said Rafa two years ago after the Wimbledon encounter.

Despite that though, Rafa still respects Robin and no matter what happens, he “will never say anything bad about any player. If I ever have something to say, I would say it to them [personally].”

TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY

Play starts at 11:00

Fernando Gonzalez vs Victor Hanescu

Followed by

Dinara Safina vs Aravane Rezai

Followed by

Rafael Nadal vs Robin Soderling

Vamos Rafa!