By Chris Soderstrom
Compatriots David Nalbandian and Juan Martin Del Potro are set to clash for the third time in a month tomorrow at the BNP Paribas Masters, in what will prove a defining match of their respective seasons.
Both are hoping to qualify for the upcoming Shanghai Masters, and a loss to either of the Davis Cup duo may cost them the chance of making the elite field.
Fresh off a runner-up finish in Basel, Nalbandian, the defending champion, showed shades of brilliance during his 7-6(5), 6-3 defeat of Nicholas Kiefer to set up the showdown.
“This is going to be the third time I have played him in three weeks so it’s a bit strange,” said the 26-year-old of his impending match-up.
“It will be a difficult match. We know each other very, very well and we train together a lot because we are in the Davis Cup team.”
The pair is locked at one win apiece from their two previous encounters, with the elder statesman recently going down to the rising 20-year-old star at the Madrid Masters.