The Italian Open is set to witness thoroughly intense clashes with all the top ATP stars set to fight it out in Rome for the coveted title
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are set to begin their campaign at the Italian Open in the Round of 32. Let us take a look at their projected paths to the final.
Rafael Nadal –
Round of 32: U.S.A’s John Isner is the likely opponent for Nadal in the second round. This will be their first meeting since 2017. Nadal has won all four of their encounters on clay.
Round of 16: Canada’s Denis Shapovalov is Nadal’s potential RO16 opponent in Rome. If Shapovalov falters in the early stages, Nadal could find himself up against Dan Evans instead. Neither player is likely to trouble the Spaniard in their current form.
Quarter-finals: If we go by the seedings, Casper Ruud is the likely opponent of Nadal in the quarters. Hubert Hurkacz is another potential opponent. He has been playing extremely well of late. He made the quarterfinals in Monte-Carlo and Madrid and could make it three in a row in Rome.
Semi-final: Rafael Nadal is likely to face old rival and World No.1, Novak Djokovic in the semis. They’ve squared off nine times at the Italian Open over the years, with the Spaniard winning on six occasions.
Final: Nadal’s likely opponent for the final is Stefanos Tsitsipas. If the Greek stumbles, Germany’s Alexander Zverev is next in line to challenge the Serb in the title round.
Novak Djokovic –
Round of 32: Djokovic is likely to face Russia’s Aslan Karatsev in the second round. Karatsev hasn’t been in the best of touches and has been winless on clay so far this season.
Round of 16: U.S.A’s Reilly Opelka is Djokovic’s potential opponent in the RO16. Reilly Opelka started his clay season by winning the title in Houston but hasn’t won a match since then. This will be the first encounter between the two players on the ATP tour.
Quarter-finals: Djokovic is likely to face emerging star and World No.10, Felix Auger-Alliasime in the quarters. Djokovic has not played against the Canadian so far. The youngster has often fallen short against top-ranked players, which could well end up being the case against the Serb.
Semi-final: Novak Djokovic is likely to face an old rival and King of Clay, Rafael Nadal in the semis. They’ve squared off nine times at the Italian Open over the years, with the Spaniard winning on six occasions.
Final: Djokovic’s likely opponent for the final is Stefanos Tsitsipas. If the Greek stumbles, Germany’s Alexander Zverev is next in line to challenge the Serb in the title round.
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