5 players who can beat Rafael Nadal at the 2018 French Open

The stiffest challenge in men’s tennis is to take down Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. Over the years, only Robin Soderling and Novak Djokovic have managed to pull off the unimaginable upset. While certain players have managed to live with him over three sets in other clay tournaments, they have struggled to deal with the Spaniard’s sheer brutality at the French open over five sets.

To get the better of Nadal at the French Open one should play an extremely high-risk game and hope it’s their day or Nadal should have a terribly off day.

Currently, Nadal is going through a purple patch on clay, winning 43 consecutive sets and making life difficult for the opponents. However, there are some effective players who can cause the Spaniard some trouble on the Parisian clay.

Dominic Thiem:

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell - Day 5

Dominic Thiem is arguably the second best player on clay after Nadal and his game is best suited to this surface. Having beaten Nadal twice on this surface the Austrian is capable of upsetting Nadal on his day if he executes his game plan to perfection.

One of Thiem’s best performances on clay came against Nadal last year at Rome where he defeated the Spaniard in straight sets. Thiem played a high-risk game and it paid dividends for him, however, he couldn’t replicate the same performance at the French Open when he faced Nadal in the semis. Thiem would be hoping to change his fortunes this time around when he faces the king of clay.

Stan Wawrinka:

2018 Australian Open - Day 4

Stan Wawrinka is one of those players who rises to the big occasion and delivers his best. His progress since 2014 has been magnificent to watch and he is always a big threat to any top players in Grand Slams. Who can forget his spellbinding performance against Novak in the 2015 French Open final?

Wawrinka has been struggling with a knee injury that has kept him away from the tour for a while. However, the Swiss is looking to make a return and will be hoping to have a good run. Though the 33-year-old was outclassed by the Spaniard in the French Open final last year, he could be a potential threat to Nadal winning his 11th French Open crown.

Novak Djokovic:

Day Nine: The Championships - Wimbledon 2017

Novak Djokovic is going through the worst phase of his career with five victories and five losses thus far in 2018. His return to Tennis after elbow surgery hasn’t been great and the Serb is working hard to get back his lost mentality and take on the best players.

After his horrific run in Indian Wells and Miami, Novak showed signs of improvements in Monte Carlo, but then he ran into a red-hot Thiem and lost in a tight three-set affair.

Over the years, Novak has caused many problems for Nadal on clay and he has the most effective game to get the better of the Spaniard. While most of the players on the tennis circuit struggle with Nadal’s lefty topspin, Novak has the strongest of backhands to counter Nadal’s strongest weapon. If Novak gets his act together and finds his rhythm he could be the opponent whom Nadal wouldn’t like to face.

Juan Martin del Potro:

BNP Paribas Open - Day 14

Players with a big serve and heavy groundstrokes always have a chance against Nadal. Isner could have joined the likes of Soderling and Djokovic in 2011 when he gave the mightiest of scares to the Spaniard and took him to five sets. However, Nadal, with his strong mental fortitude, emerged victorious.

Del Potro is one of those players who can push Nadal and can stay with him mentally and will fancy his chances if he gets a crack against the world no.1.

David Goffin:

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell - Day 6

David Goffin has improved his game immensely over the years. Though the Belgian lacks the firepower in his groundstrokes, he has a tremendous fighting spirit. Goffin was one of those players who gave Nadal a run for his money when they met in Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Goffin's ability to raise the bar against the top players has earned him a top 10 ranking and his athleticism has transformed him well over the years. His ability to maintain a fine balance between attack and defense sets him apart from the rest.

Goffin will be looking to push Nadal as he did in their previous meetings and if he has his fair share of luck he could cause a potential upset.