[59] Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) vs. [438] Tommy Robredo (ESP)
It’s been a difficult road back for Tommy Robredo, once ranked in the top ten (#5 in 2006), his ranking started to decline due to protracted issues with his foot and dropped drastically after a long layoff due to foot surgery in 4/2016 and a long recovery. He is no stranger to battling back after surgery though; he had hamstring surgery in 2011 and hardly played much in 2012. Once again he is trying to bounce back, but he is older now and it does not get easier with age; yet, he loves the sport and will keep fighting.
The confidence takes a beating when you lose so many times in the first round and you begin to doubt if you can ever get back to the level you once were. It does not help that the players are younger and hitting the ball harder, especially when he has a single-handed backhand. Basilashvili is one of those players who knows only two speeds: hard and harder, and Robredo was pushed around for much of the first set by the pace and unpredictability of his opponent’s game.
One of Robredo’s weapons is his mental strength and although it has taken a beating, he still believes in his ability and will fight no matter the score. It was not an easy victory for the Spaniard; he almost gave away the second set after fighting hard to get back in the match. Once he secured the second set, he relaxed and played his best tennis in the third set, never giving his opponent an opportunity to break him and won 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. His next opponent will be Sam Querrey, which interestingly favors Robredo (he leads their head-to-head 4:0), but this is a different Querrey.
SOURCE OF IMAGE: Getty Images (Matthew Stockman)
