Italian Open 2021: Rafael Nadal vs Reilly Opelka –Preview, Head to Head and Prediction for Rome Masters
Follow Us
Rafael Nadal vs Reilly Opelka
Italian Open 2021 gets it’s first semi-finals draw confirmed. World No. 3 and 3rd seed Rafael Nadal will be challenged by World No. 47 Reilly Opelka in what is anticipated as an exciting clash between the young American Opelka and King of Clay Nadal.
Match Details
| Tournament | ATP Rome Masters 1000 |
| Match | Rafael Nadal vs Reilly Opelka |
| Round | Semi-Finals |
| Date | 15th May, 2021 |
| Prize Money | € 82,300 |
| Venue | Rome, Italy |
| Surface | Clay Court |
Rafael Nadal vs Reilly Opelka : Preview
Rafael Nadal is always the favourite whenever he is at a Clay tournament and he has proven his tag at the Italian Open 2021 as well. Chasing his 10th Rome title, the Spaniard is looking in great form to win it.
He reaches semi-finals from a straight set victory in the quarter-finals over Alexander Zverev who knocked him out in the Madrid Masters quarter-finals last week. He previously saved 2 match points in his thrilling 3-set win over Denis Shapovalov in the Round of 16.
Reilly Opelka has surely turned some heads from his performance at the ongoing Rome Masters. The 23-year old American before coming to Italy had a record of 2-7 this season, and is the biggest surprise of the tournament. The big American has already hit 77 aces so far in his 4 games which is the highest so far.
He has made it to his first Masters semi-finals on the back of 4 consecutive straight set victories which includes his Round of 16 victory over in-form Russian Aslan Karatsev.
Rafael Nadal vs Reilly Opelka : Head to Head
This will be the first ever meeting between the duo on the tour, hence the head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Rafael Nadal vs Reilly Opelka : Prediction
Rafael Nadal has made it to the semis on the back of some tough victories including his first round win over Jannik Sinner. Even though he has been pushed back, he has come back stronger and grabbed those wins which would have boosted his confidence.
Opelka comparatively had a better set of fixtures which he won comfortably relying on his serves and strong powerful shots. His test will be the ability of Nadal to take matches deep and win it from there which he is yet to do as his victories have been in straight sets. Nevertheless, an exciting tie awaits tennis fans.
Prediction: Rafael Nadal to win in 3-sets.
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)