REVEALED: Rafael Nadal’s path to Grand Slam record-extending Australian Open title

Rafael Nadal will have to go through some tough opponents to clinch his third Australian Open title and 23rd overall Grand Slam.

REVEALED: Rafael Nadal’s path to Grand Slam record-extending Australian Open title

Rafael Nadal (Image: ATP)

Spanish star Rafael Nadal is ready to defend his crown in the Australian Open. The Spanish star faced some hiccups in the season as he could give the expected start in the United open. But as the tennis caravan is moving to Melbourne for the next fortnight, Nadal is primed for a fresh start. 

In the United Cup mixed-gender team event, Rafael Nadal lost to Cameron Norrie. Following that defeat, Nadal had to answer some tough questions off the court. However, in the Australian Open, which begins next week, Nadal is the top seed and one of the favorites. 

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After the draws were announced, the path to the final for the 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal became clear. In the opening round, he will meet the 21-year-old Brit Jack Draper, which will be an easy challenge for Nadal. The next couple of rounds will also not pose a major threat to the 36-year-old.

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The complete path to Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open triumph 

Rafael Nadal in 2022 Australian Open (Image: ATP)

Rafael Nadal will not face many difficulties in sailing through the first four rounds of the season’s first Grand Slam. Even the peak Australian summer does not pose much risk for the Spanish. After the First Round meeting with Jack Draper, Nadal will face either of the Americans, Brandon Nakashima or Mackenzie McDonald. 

In the Third Round Nadal is expected to fight against Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka or Spanish Jaume Antoni Munar Clar. The road after the 3R will be a bit challenging for Nadal. In the Fourth Round, he would have to go past Frances Tiafoe or Karen Khachanov to set up the Quarterfinals meeting with Russian Daniil Medvedev or Polish Hubert Hurkacz. 

If Nadal succeeds to overcome all these challenges, he will set up a thrilling semifinal encounter with either the third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, current World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, or Italian Jannilk Sinner. If everything goes according to the plan for Nadal, his Serbian rival and nine-time champion Novak Djokovic or the second seed Casper Ruud or Russian Andrey Rublev will be waiting for him in a mouthwatering final to cap the Australian tour. 

Rafael Nadal’s path to Australian Open title

  • R1: Jack Draper
  • R2: Brandon Nakashima/ Mackenzie McDonald
  • R3: Yoshihito Nishioka/ Antoni Munar
  • R4 : Frances Tiafoe/Karen Khachanov
  • QF: Daniil Medvedev/Hubert Hurkacz
  • SF: Stefanos Tsitsipas/Felix Auger Aliassime /Jannik Sinner
  • F: Novak Djokovic/Casper Ruud/Andrey Rublev

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