Italian Open 2021: Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev – Preview, Head to Head and Prediction for Rome Masters
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Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev
In a repeat of the Madrid Masters quarter-final, Rafael Nadal will face Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open 2021. Nadal is ranked 3rd in the world while Zverev is the World No.6.
Match Details
| Tournament: | Italian Open 2021 |
| Match: | Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev |
| Round: | Quarter-finals |
| Date: | 14th May, 2021 |
| Prize Money: | € 45,100 |
| Venue: | Rome, Italy |
| Surface: | Clay Court |
Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev: Preview
Rafa Nadal and Sascha Zverev will meet for the second time in as many weeks. Nadal has been not on top of his game this Clay season. Although he won the title in Barcelona, he lost in the quarter-finals at Monte Carlo and Madrid.
This week in Rome, he has played two incredibly talented young players. In the second round, he defeated Jannik Sinner in straight sets while in the Round of 16, Nadal got the better of Denis Shapovalov in a three set epic 3-6,6-4,7-6(3).
His opponent, Alexander Zverev is coming off a title winning performance at Madrid. The German has shown his metal this Clay season and has defeated the likes of Nishikori, Thiem and Berrettini. He also stunned Nadal in Madrid.
At the Italian Open this week, he defeated Hugo Dellien in straight sets. In the following round, he was taken to the distance by Kei Nishikori but eventually won 4-6,6-3,6-4.
Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev: Head-to-Head
This will be the 8th meeting between the duo. Nadal leads the H2H 5-3. They met at the Madrid Masters last week where Zverev won in straight sets.
Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev: Prediction
This match promises to live upto its expectation. Nadal will look to take revenge from Zverev over last week’s defeat but that won’t be easy. The German is playing high quality tennis while Nadal is no where near his peak.
But both the players are coming off tough 3-setters from the Round of 16 and hence will be tired. Rafa showed glimpses of his vintage self in the later stages of his match against Shapovalov and would carry a lot of confidence. On the other hand, an otherwise flawless Zverev was left to ponder in his match against Nishikori when he lost the first set. Expect a tough match, with Nadal cruising into the semi-finals.
Prediction: Nadal to win in three sets.
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Lakshya Chopra
(2595 Articles Published)