2013 French Open: A Rested Fabio Fognini Might Spell Trouble for Rafael Nadal

While Rafael Nadal battled Martin Klizan on Court Suzanne Lengien in the second round of the 2013 French Open, his third-round opponent, Fabio Fognini, was enjoying the day off.

Due to rain delays, Nadal will have to play two days in a row. Fognini was able to complete his second-round match yesterday, a 6-2, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-1 win over Lucas Rosol.

Unhappy about his disadvantage, Nadal called the French Open scheduling “a joke”.  He told BBC Sport:

"

I cannot play third after men's and girls when my possible opponent plays second after girls. That's not fair. And today I was playing almost three hours on court, and my opponent was watching the TV in the locker room.

"

A rested Fognini might spell trouble for Nadal, who displayed some uncharacteristic erratic play against Klizan.

Nadal dropped the first set to Klizan. It was the second time the Spaniard dropped the first set in this tournament. He also had two double faults at a pivotal moment, tied 3-3 in the first.

Even after taking control in the second set, Nadal hit a couple of wild shots and sprayed forehands long.

Could the mounting minutes on court impact Nadal against Fognini?

After the match, Nadal told RolandGarros.com writer Andrew Lilley that it was too little play that disrupted his rhythm.

"

I have played very little tennis in three days so I started the match with probably not the right intensity with more doubts than usual. . .And positive thing - I had a good reaction at the beginning of the second set, playing the way I had to play, with good intensity.

"

Nadal has looked nothing short of brilliant in his return from a knee injury. However, he has yet to play in a five-setter since coming back.

In the opening round, Nadal played a tough match against heavy-hitting German Daniel Brands.

Brands had a chance to go up two sets. He held a 3-0 led in the second-set tiebreaker before Nadal stormed back. Nadal went on to win 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-3. 

Unlike Brands, Fognini moves well on clay and can stretch rallies.

Nadal easily defeated Fognini, 6-1, 6-3, in Rome. 

However, with an extra day of rest, Fognini becomes a looming speed bump in Nadal's road to a semifinal match with Novak Djokovic.