Rafael Nadal’s path to third Wimbledon title: Matteo Berrettini threat and a potential title showdown against Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal’s path to third Wimbledon title: Matteo Berrettini threat and a potential title showdown against Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has been in amazing form this season and has won the first two grand slams against all the odds. For the first time in his elusive career, he now has the chance to gun for a calendar slam. He enters Wimbledon as the second seed and has a good chance to go all the way. He has had treatment on his foot after his French Open triumph and looks physically good.

Nadal has been handed a fairly easy draw early on but will have to beat some top players in the second week. He will open his campaign against Francisco Cerundolo in the first round, which shouldn’t be a difficult outing for Rafa. Nadal will then face the winner of the match between Sam Querrey and Ricardas Berankis in the second round.

After a couple of solid matches, Nadal would’ve had enough much-needed match practice on grass. He is then expected to face Lorenzo Sonego in the third round. Sonego isn’t a grass-court specialist and hence tackling him won’t be an issue for Nadal. Into the second week, Nadal is drawn to face former Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic in the fourth round.

FS Video

Also Read: “Few days ago we were eating outside, now we are at Wimbledon”- Serena Williams introduces her team for the 2022 Wimbledon Championships

Easy first week for Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal

If Nadal manages to tackle Cilic, he will face Felix Auger-Aliassime. The two met at an exhibition event ahead of Wimbledon where Felix defeated Nadal in three sets. Despite that, Nadal will still go in as the favorite to reach the semifinals. He is drawn to face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini. And in the end, Nadal is projected to face his arch-rival Novak Djokovic in the final. This would be the toughest match of the year for Nadal.

Rafael Nadal’s path to Wimbledon title:

  • 1R: Francisco Cerundolo
  • 2R: Sam Querrey
  • 3R: Lorenzo Sonego
  • 4R: Marin Cilic
  • QF: Felix Auger-Aliassime
  • SF: Stefanos Tsitsipas/ Matteo Berrettini
  • F: Novak Djokovic

Also Read: Iga Swiatek’s path to maiden Wimbledon title: Jessica Pegula and Anett Kontaveit the biggest hurdles

Also Read: “The beauty of tennis is the solo battle” Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya complete opposes ATP’s off-court coaching decision