Nadal looks to extend 19-match winning streak in Madrid

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ANI London [U.K]
Last Updated : May 09 2018 | 11:40 AM IST

World number one Rafael Nadal will look to add to his 19-match winning streak on clay when he begins his Madrid Open campaign against French player Gael Monfils in their round-of-32 in Spain on Wednesday.

The Spaniard tennis maestro, as the top seed in the tournament, was handed a bye into the second round and so he is yet to take to the court in Madrid Arena.

Five-time champion Nadal is heading into Madrid on the back of his 11th titles in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, respectively.

Nadal, who had extended his consecutive sets won on clay streak to 46, will look to snap John McEnroe's 49-set winning streak on carpet in 1984.

Monfils, on the other hand, defeated French qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in his opening-round match in Madrid, the ATP website reported.

Nadal has dominated the head-to-head rivalry over the years, going 13-2 against Monfils in his career.

In another last-32 clash, former world number one Novak Djokovic will lock horns with Britain's Kyle Edmund for the fourth time in the men's singles event.

Two-time champion Djokovic will look to build on his impressive 7-5, 6-4 win over Japan's Kei Nishikori, while Edmund will be keen to turn around on his previous meeting with the Serbian.

It should be noted that 10th seed Djokovic had never lost a set in three prior ATP Head-to-Head encounters with the 23-year-old.

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First Published: May 09 2018 | 11:40 AM IST

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