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Gilles Simon has placed World No.1 Rafael Nadal of winning the French Open 2014 crown ahead of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka.
In an interview with L'Equipe, Simon opened up about the star players' chances of triumphing at the forthcoming prestigious event in Paris.
"I have faced Nadal in Rome a week ago but I have not noticed any difference in him compared to past seasons," Simon spoke off Nadal's chances. "We think Rafa is in a hole because he won only Madrid and made final in Rome.
"I'm not worried about him. Players, who believe they can beat Nadal, face him in the best of 3 sets. When you play the best of five sets, Nadal is unplayable."
Simon believes that Djokovic is the only guy who can pester Nadal on clay.
"Novak is not far from Rafa because he has a game that is well suited to its characteristics," he added, speaking on the Serb's odds. "Djokovic has the biggest chance to beat him. I think Rafa has a better chance of reaching the final against Djokovic."
What about Federer and Wawrinka? "They can play at a high level but the certainty of seeing them in the semi-final is less than I have for Nadal and Djokovic."
Gilles Simon has placed World No.1 Rafael Nadal of winning the French Open 2014 crown ahead of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka.
In an interview with L'Equipe, Simon opened up about the star players' chances of triumphing at the forthcoming prestigious event in Paris.
"I have faced Nadal in Rome a week ago but I have not noticed any difference in him compared to past seasons," Simon spoke off Nadal's chances. "We think Rafa is in a hole because he won only Madrid and made final in Rome.
"I'm not worried about him. Players, who believe they can beat Nadal, face him in the best of 3 sets. When you play the best of five sets, Nadal is unplayable."
Simon believes that Djokovic is the only guy who can pester Nadal on clay.
"Novak is not far from Rafa because he has a game that is well suited to its characteristics," he added, speaking on the Serb's odds. "Djokovic has the biggest chance to beat him. I think Rafa has a better chance of reaching the final against Djokovic."
What about Federer and Wawrinka? "They can play at a high level but the certainty of seeing them in the semi-final is less than I have for Nadal and Djokovic."