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Match Details
Fixture: (4) Mariano Navone vs (WC) Rafael Nadal
Date: July 19, 2024
Tournament: Nordea Open 2024
Round: Quarterfinal
Venue: Bastad Tennis Stadium, Bastad, Sweden
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: €579,320
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Mariano Navone vs Rafael Nadal preview
Fourth seed Mariano Navone will lock horns with 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the Nordea Open on Friday, July 19.
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Navone received a bye into the second round, where he was up against Sumit Nagal. The Argentine went down a break to trail 2-0 in the first set but bagged the next five games to go 5-2 up.
Navone then stepped up to serve for the set but Nagal secured a break of serve, and followed it up with a service hold to keep himself afloat. However, the fourth seed didn't make the same mistake twice and was able to close out the set on his second attempt.
Nagal had his chances in the second set but Navone outplayed him to surge ahead 5-2. The Argentine dug deep to close out the match as his opponent put up a fight. Four match points passed him by, and then he had to save a break point as well. He finally wrapped up the proceedings on his fifth match point for a 6-4, 6-2 win.
Nadal commenced his campaign in Bastad with a 6-3, 6-4 over Leo Borg, the son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg. He took on fifth seed Cameron Norrie for a spot in the last eight. Both players remained quite steady on serve for the first few games.
Nadal made his move in the seventh game as he broke Norrie's serve to go 4-3 up. He later served for the opener at 5-4, and after saving a couple of break points got the job done.
Norrie raced to a 4-1 lead in the second set, and a deciding set looked imminent. However, the Spaniard quickly turned things around as he swept the next five games to win the match 6-4, 6-4.
Mariano Navone vs Rafael Nadal head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between them, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
Mariano Navone vs Rafael Nadal odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Mariano Navone vs Rafael Nadal prediction
After falling behind in the second set, Nadal took control of the reins in no time. He finished the match on a high and won 20 of the last 21 points. It was also his seventh consecutive win at the venue, having won the title in 2005 in his previous appearance.
Navone got the better of Nagal to reach his third quarterfinal of the season. He struck 27 winners in contrast to 17 unforced errors and won 64 percent of his first serve points.
Nadal's movement is far from what it used to be but he's still making it work. His ground game, on the other hand, has remained quite sharp. With more matches under his belt, he will be even more lethal on court.
Navone dropped the ball on a few occasions in the previous round, and while he made it through, Nadal won't be as forgiving. Throwing the Spaniard a lifeline is as good as giving away the match. The former World No. 1 seems to be building momentum here, and could prevail over his younger rival provided he improves his level even further.
Pick: Rafael Nadal to win in straight sets.
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