Australian Open: Nadal vs McDonald Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Australian Open as Rafael Nadal takes on Mackenzie McDonald in the Round of 64 on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

Will Rafael Nadal get the win? Will Mackenzie McDonald pull off the upset? This will be a fascinating one, where we have the defending champion looking to make waves in his part of the draw. Who will triumph and move through to the Round of 32 at the 2023 Australian Open?

Rafael Nadal got an epic win over Jack Draper, taking him out in 4 thrilling sets, with Draper unfortunately succumbing to injuries in the 4th set. Nadal’s level was high, despite some shaky play in parts of the match, it was mostly positive signs for him in the opening round. Mackenzie McDonald is by no means an easy match, but he played a brutal 5 setter right before, and Nadal is just too good at getting through these early stages, let’s see how the top seed is feeling as he looks to move through to the Round of 32 at the 2023 Australian Open.

Mackenzie McDonald took out Brandon Nakashima in 5 epic sets, taking a 2 set lead before dropping the next two and then serving it out in the 5th set. He certainly won’t be happy to see Rafael Nadal’s name in his draw, but he’ll be hyped about his first round win and he’ll go out there and give it his all anyway as these two face off for a spot in the Round of 32 at the 2023 Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal and Mackenzie McDonald have met once before, with Rafael Nadal leading the head to head 1-0. Interestingly enough, their only previous meeting came in the 2nd round of a major at the 2020 French Open, with Nadal dropping just 4 games to win that one. Although I don’t expect as dominant of a display here given the conditions, Nadal should get a solid win to send himself to the third round here at the 2023 Australian Open.