It is generally assumed that the biggest match of any tournament is the final.  That is the one that determines who is crowned champion, and traditionally it is the victor who leaves with the most confidence heading into his next event.   For sure, whoever leaves Rome as the champion will be feeling good about his odds for success at Roland Garros, but sometimes it is a match that occurs earlier in an event that potentially has greater ramifications in the grand scheme of things.  That may prove to be the case in Friday's quarterfinal between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, particularly if they set up a showdown a few weeks from now in Paris.

As two titans of the sport who have enjoyed a long and compelling rivalry, it is always “must-see” tennis when Djokovic and Nadal square off against each other.  They have contested some of the most notable matches in the last decade, and Friday's match is apt to be one more chapter in their entertaining rivalry.  Aside from entertaining, though, it could also turn out to be pivotal for their respective chances in Paris, which leaves the stakes feeling a little higher in this 49th meeting between the pair.

For Nadal, a victory over Djokovic would not only have him feeling confident heading into Roland Garros, but also a victory could pay dividends later in the season.  Nadal has made positive strides toward overcoming the obstacles he faced last year and some painful losses in 2016.  Securing titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona last month made many people, perhaps even Nadal, believe that the Spaniard could be poised to add to his Grand Slam tally in the French capital.  As big as those victories were, however, a win over Djokovic on Friday would likely mean as much and arguably more.  Nadal has lost six of his last seven meetings against the Serb, with his last victory coming in 2014.  In his recent losses to Djokovic – including two this year – he spoke about how he was moving in the right direction but was not quite at that level.  What better way to prove he is back at that top level by not only scooping up a title in Rome but defeating Djokovic in the process?

Naturally, Djokovic has his own reasons for seeking success on Friday.  The obvious motivating factor is a chance to back up his win in Madrid with a matching title in Rome, putting him in an excellent position going into Paris.  What could make victory in Rome more important than victory in Madrid, however, is going through Nadal to earn the title.  The Spaniard's rise in form will not have gone unnoticed by the current No. 1, and he is aware that people are starting to like Nadal's odds at Roland Garros.  Furthermore, although he captured Madrid, between his early loss in Monte Carlo, struggles to close out the latter rounds in Madrid, and shaky performances thus far in Rome, Djokovic cannot be happy with his level of play at the moment.  It is hard to imagine a better way to boost his own confidence and to show everyone, including the man many have proclaimed to be the greatest ever on clay, that it is Djokovic who is the player to beat at the year's second major.

Suffice it to say, there is more at stake in Friday's match than a berth in the semifinals.  These are two men jockeying for prime position before arriving in Paris, and it is anyone's guess who will emerge victorious.  Djokovic has played the overall better brand of tennis over the last several months, holds the edge in their rivalry, and based on their recent matches, must be in Nadal's head.  But if there were a time for Nadal to get the better of his rival, it is in Friday's quarterfinal.  They are on the surface that favors him in this rivalry, and this is the most vulnerable Djokovic has looked in recent memory.  No matter which way this one pans out, it should prove to be an entertaining talking point with Roland Garros just around the corner.