Six Kings Slam 2024 Semifinal: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Rafael Nadal preview, prediction, and live stream details
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal will be reuniting in the Davis Cup tie for Spain after this Six Kings Slam encounter.
Rafael Nadal (L) and Carlos Alcaraz are set to take part in the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh (via Daily Express, CNN)
For the final time, Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal will face off on the ATP tour at the inaugural Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia. Nadal announced his retirement last week and stated that the Davis Cup tournament would be his last professional event.
However, the left-hander is in Saudi Arabia, where he will go head-to-head against his compatriot, Alcaraz. Given the history between both players, this could be an emotional occasion.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal: Match Details
- Prize money: $6 million
- Tournament: Six Kings Slam
- Match: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Rafael Nadal
- Date: October 17, 2024
- Venue: The Venue, Riyadh
- Round: Semifinals
- Time: TBD
- Surface: Hard Court
Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal: Match Preview
Carlos Alcaraz seems to have recaptured the form that led him to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back this season. The 21-year-old struggled after losing the Olympic Singles Gold medal to Novak Djokovic in August, as he lost in the opening round in Cincinnati and then crashed out in the second round of the US Open.
However, a couple of wins in the Davis Cup, a Laver Cup victory, and a title run in Beijing seem to have helped him regain his form. Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in a classic three-set final at the China Open. Despite losing in the quarterfinals in Shanghai, the 21-year-old appears satisfied with his performance in the later stages of the season.
On the other hand, this is just the second tournament that Rafael Nadal is playing outside of clay in 2024. The first was in Brisbane, which marked the Spaniard’s comeback tournament after recovering from hip surgery in 2023.
Nadal has not played an official match since losing to Djokovic at the Olympic Games. He was scheduled to compete in the Laver Cup but withdrew at the last minute due to fitness concerns.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal: Match Prediction
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal have faced each other three times on the ATP tour, with the elder Spaniard holding a 2-1 advantage. They have not competed against each other since the 2022 Madrid Open quarterfinal, where Alcaraz secured his only win over his idol, earning the title for the first time in his career.
Nadal and Alcaraz have only met on hard courts once, which was in the 2022 Indian Wells semifinals. The left-hander secured a hard-fought three-set win in that match.
However, the situation is extremely different today. While Nadal was still a threat back then, Alcaraz has matured as a player, won four Grand Slams, and has become World No. 1. As a result, the younger Spaniard is the heavy favorite to potentially inflict the last singles defeat of Nadal’s career.
Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to win in two sets.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal: Live Streaming Details
Tennis fans from across the world can watch the Six Kings Slam on DAZN.
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