TennisSection previews the 2022 Rome Open as Rafael Nadaltakes on Denis Shapovalov in the third round on Thursday, May 12th, 2022.
Rafael Nadal knows the challenge that awaits him in third round of the Rome Open. Last year he came so close to fall at the hands of Denis Shapovalov, saving match points and going on to win the title. So, 12 months on, could the Canadian left-hander make it right?
Rafael Nadal made an emphatic start to his latest Rome Open adventure as he nullified the big serve of John Isner to win 6-3 6-1. The Spaniard, playing in just his second clay-court tournament of the season, hardly looked in trouble against the towering American, whose erratic misses proved costly against the King of Clay. Nadal overcame a nervy opening set in which he saved two break points at 3-all, and went on to break Isner to establish a cushion. In the second set, it was one-way traffic as Isner’s serve completely disintegrated, handing Nadal an easy passage into the third round.
Denis Shapovalov, for his part, reached the third round of the Rome Open after surviving the challenge of Lorenzo Sonegoand the slightly-improved Nikoloz Basilashvili. Shapovalov has made an encouraging return to winning ways at the Eternal City following last week’s calamitous defeat to Andy Murray in Madrid. The Canadian is a former semifinalist in Rome and came mighty close to defeat Nadal last season in a thrilling contest.
Rafael Nadal holds a 4-1 lead over Denis Shapovalov on the ATP Tour. Their only meeting this season before the Rome Open took place at the Australian Open where Nadal knocked off the Canadian in a pulsating quarterfinal. These two tend to get the best out of each other simply due to their varied game styles. Shapovalov’s attacking brand of tennis has its own limitations and he can be erratic most of the time. Safe money is clearly on Nadal whose defensive approach makes him so tough to beat even in this rollercoaster of a season for him.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Rafael Nadal to win in 3 sets.
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