Colombia’s no.1 tennis player Santiago Giraldo will take on world no.1 Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Barcelona Open after defeating Albert Ramos, Caracol Radio reported Wednesday.
Giraldo dismissed Spaniard Ramos 6-3 4-6 6-3 in his second round match Wednesday to set up a date against his more fearsome compatriot Nadal, who came through his tie with ominous ease.
Nadal took just over an hour to dispose of Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-1 6-1, coming just a few days after winning the Monte Carlo Masters for the seventh consecutive year as he seeks his sixth victory in Catalunya.
Colombian Giraldo knows that he will have his work cut out in his third ever clash against the clay court master, who is unbeaten on the surface since 2009, but his appearance in the third round alone is enough to raise his world ranking to no.52.