Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal will clash in a finger-licking final in the ATP 500 in Barcelona. In normal times, Rafael Nadal would have been considered the absolute favorite to win the final. However, Stefanos Tsitsipas has been playing incredibly well on clay during the last two weeks after winning Monte Carlo and reaching the final in Barcelona without conceding a single set.
On the other side, Rafael Nadal is not looking as devastating as always on the dirt. The King of Clay lost in the quarterfinals to Andrey Rublev in Monte Carlo and he conceded already two sets in Barcelona.
Stats comparison
Stefanos Tsitsipas has much better statistics than Rafael Nadal in Barcelona this year. Stefanos played less than 2 hours than Rafael Nadal in Barcelona (5h27 vs. 7h41). Therefore, he might have more energy than the King of Clay even if Rafa had a smooth win in the semi-finals against the Pablo Carreno-Busta after winning in just 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Stefanos also has a much better ratio in terms of winners. During the event in Barcelona, Tsitsipas won 48% of his points with winners (Rafa only 41%).
Stefanos was also better than Rafa in terms of points won behind his first and second serve. Tsitsipas won 77% points on his first serve (Nadal 73%) and 58% behind his 2nd serve (Nadal 53%).
Also, Nadal committed 10 double faults (Tsitsipas 4) and he was broken 6 times during the tournament (Tsitsipas only 1). Finally, Nadal conceded 23 break points (Tsitsipas 13).
Nadal is still the favorite to win the final,, but it will not be a huge surprise if Tsitsipas will come out as Victorious after their match on Sunday.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal played each other 8 times. Their actual record is 6-2 for Nadal. Previously, the last time when they fought against each other, Stefanos Tsitsipas won 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 17th of February 2021.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Tsitsipas in Barcelona, ranking, and results in 2021
At the moment ranked no.5 (career-high), Stefanos has an overall 26-5 record in 2021. Stefanos is now having a run in Barcelona where he toppled Jaume Antoni Munar Clar 6-0 6-2, Alex De Minaur 7-5 6-3, Felix Auger Aliassime 6-3 6-3 and Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-3.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will square off with the world no.3 Rafael Nadal in the final on Sunday at 4:00 pm on PISTA RAFA NADAL. Their current record is 6-2 for Nadal.
Tsitsipas conquered 1 title in 2021 in Monte-Carlo. Tsitsipas reached the final in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel).
The Greek won 6 titles in his career: 2 on clay courts and 4 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Nadal in Barcelona, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.3, the Spaniard owns a composed 10-2 match record in 2021. Rafael is currently playing in Barcelona where he ousted Ilya Ivashka 3-6 6-2 6-4, Kei Nishikori 6-0 2-6 6-2, Cameron Norrie 6-1 6-4 and Pablo Carreno-Busta 6-3 6-2.
The Spaniard won 86 titles in his career: 21 on hard courts, 60 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal |
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