Rafael Nadal is about to start his bid for his first title at an ATP Finals where he will face Sascha Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas in Round Robin.
Nadal’s injury and his bid for the world no.1 rank
Unfortunately, Rafa has been dealing with a nasty abdominal injury that made him withdraw from the recent semifinal in Paris against Shapovalov. The Spanish sensation is still not sure that he can compete in London and even if he will go and train in the UK, he will make the final decision before facing Zverev on Tuesday.
Rafa is also battling with Novak Djokovic for the year-end world no.1. The King of Clay looked in a great position to end the year at the top of the ranking ahead of the Bercy. However, his injury and the fact that Djokovic won the ATP1000 showing a great form is making things tricky for the Mallorcan. If Rafa competes and wins at least 2 matches in the Round Robin he will put a lot of pressure on Djokovic that to regain his world no.1 status should win the competition.
H2H Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev
Talking about Rafa’s upcoming opponents. He is expected to face Sascha Zverev in the first match. The H2H is 5-0 for Nadal, but they have never played each other on indoor hard courts where the German might have an edge (details of Nadal vs Zverev H2H).
Nadal vs Tsitsipas
Rafa will face an in-form Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Round Robin. The Greek is getter better and better and even if he has always struggled against the King of Clay, he found the way to defeat him in the semifinals in Madrid this year.
The head to head is 4-1 for Nadal, but they have never competed on indoor hard courts.
H2H Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev
Rafa will also face Daniil Medvedev in what will be a repetition of their fascinating US Open final when the Spanish legend won in 5 sets. The H2H is 2-0 for Nadal, but they have never played on indoor hard courts.
Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2019
Now the world no.1, Rafael was meant to play on the 2nd of November when he conceded the walkover to Denis Shapovalov in the semifinal in Paris.
This year Nadal has a 50-6 win-loss record. Nadal clinched 4 titles in 2019 in Rome, at the French Open, in Montreal and at the U.S. Open. The Spaniard was the finalist at the Australian Open.
Alexander Zverev’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.7, Alexander played his last match on the 31st of October when he surrendered to Denis Shapovalov 6-2 5-7 6-2 in the 3rd round in Paris.
This year Zverev has a 39-22 win-loss record. Alexander conquered 1 title in Geneva. The German was the finalist in Acapulco and in Shanghai.
Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev played each other 5 times. The head to head is 5-0 for Nadal.
The last time that they fought against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-1 1-6 6-3 in the final in Rome in May 2018.
Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev |
| Embed from Getty Images |
