PHOTO OP: Wonder Twin powers ACTIVATE!

 

"Shape of a Babolat AeroPro Drive GT...PLEASE."

So, yeah, that's my update on Rafael Nadal and the defense of his Madrid Masters 1000 title. Insightful, eh? He's been steamrolling as usual and even got a walkover when Juan Martin del Potro withdrew yesterday with the hip injury he sustained in Estoril (uber *sad face* for Delpo but happy he's being cautious with Roland Garros on its way). I was so looking forward to that match but it wasn't meant to be in Madrid. Let's hope we see those two ball where it really matters, though, at RG.

Today, the top seed pummeled Michael Llodra 6-2, 6-2 bringing him to 36 straight matches on clay. You could tell he wasn't in the mood to putz around early on though the Frenchie's serve and volley tactic probably wasn't the right one either. The Spaniard now gets either Roger Federer or Robin Soderling. Good luck to them. Really.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]