PARIS:
Rafael Nadal will briefly step back from his assault on a 10th French Open
title to support his beloved Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final
against Juventus.
The
Spaniard stormed into the last 16 at Roland Garros on Friday, thrashing
Georgia's Nicoloz Basilashvili 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 for his most lopsided Grand Slam
victory.
Nadal
turns 31 on Saturday and while he admitted he wasn't asking for any particular
gifts, the 14-time Grand Slam winner would love to see Real claim another
European title.
"Tomorrow
at 8.45 I'm going to be in front of the TV for sure supporting my team, hoping
that Real Madrid will win another time," said Nadal.
"Very
close match. It's obvious that anything could happen. Juve I think only
conceded three goals in the whole Champions League. Going to be so
difficult.
"And
Madrid probably one of the teams with the most potential to score goals."
Eleven-time
winners Real are seeking to become the first team in the Champions League era
to defend their title, but Nadal predicts it being a tough road back for
Zinedine Zidane's side if they fall behind in Cardiff.
"I
think for Madrid it will be so important to score before than Juve, because
defensively Juve is so strong. So if Juve scores before, then it's gonna be
tough."
Nadal
will return to action on Sunday when he faces compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut,
the 17th seed, for a place in the quarter-finals.
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