Rafael Nadal to play these TWO players as he bids to challenge Roger Federer at Wimbledon
RAFAEL NADAL will play two matches at the Aspall Tennis Classic this week, an exhibition event in Hurlingham, as he prepares for Wimbledon.
Nadal, 32, returned to the top of the ATP rankings yesterday after Roger Federer’s shock defeat to Borna Coric.
He is yet to play a grass-court match this year but did spend last week practising at the Mallorca Open, a WTA event.
The Spaniard is now flying into England where he will compete on Wednesday against Hyeon Chung.
He will then take to the court again on Friday to face Frenchman Lucas Rouille.
Nadal has won two Wimbledon titles while arch rival Federer has won eight.
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Elsewhere, Dan Evans has been drawn against Ilya Ivashka in the first round of Wimbledon qualifying.
Evans was not given a wild card by the All England Club this week, despite some impressive results following his return from a drugs ban.
That meant he had come through pre-qualifying, playing twice on Friday to make it through to full qualifying in Roehampton.
He is paired with world 105 Ivashka on Monday, the first of three matches he must win if he is to make the main draw at Wimbledon.
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Hurlingham schedule
Tuesday 26th June
3pm - Maria Sharapova v TBC
5pm - Richard Gasquet v Lucas Pouille
Followed by Bahrami/ Philippoussis v Enqvist/Pernfors
Wednesday 27th June
2pm - Maria Sharapova v TBC
Followed by Hyeon Chung v Rafael Nadal
Not before 5:30pm - Bahrami/Rusedski v Enqvist/Pernfors
Thursday 28th June
2pm - Grigor Dimitrov v Karen Khachanov
Followed by Kevin Anderson v ATP Player
Not before 5:30pm - Bahrami/Enqvist v Philippoussis/Rusedski
Friday 29th June
2pm - Rafael Nadal v Lucas Pouille
Followed by Pablo Carreno Busta v Karen Khachanov
Not before 5:30pm - Bahrami/Rusedski v Philippoussis /Pernfors