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Match Details
Fixture: (WC) Rafael Nadal vs (Q) Duje Ajdukovic
Date: July 20, 2024
Tournament: Nordea Open 2024
Round: Semifinal
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+
Rafael Nadal vs Duje Ajdukovic preview
Twenty-two-time Major champion Rafael Nadal will face qualifier Duje Ajdukovic in the semifinals of the Nordea Open.
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Competing for the first time since he fell in the first round of the French Open, Nadal was drawn against Leo Borg in his Bastad opener. He beat him 6-3, 6-4, and then secured a 6-4, 6-4 win over fifth seed Cameron Norrie to move into the last eight, where fourth seed Mariano Navone awaited him.
The Spaniard quickly fell behind 4-1 in the first set and spent most of his time trying to play catch-up, which he did. He saved a couple of set points and stopped Navone from serving out the set to make it 5-5. He held a couple of set points of his own on his opponent's serve at 6-5 but couldn't close it out.
It proved a costly mistake as Navone outplayed the former World No. 1 in the tie-break to take the set. Nadal raced ahead 3-0 in the second set only for the Argentine to bag the next four games and get back on serve.
However, Nadal swept the last three games of the set to take it and force a decider. He overcame a 2-0 deficit in the third set to go 5-2 up, though Navone didn't go down without a fight. He nabbed the next three games to level the score but the Spaniard put an end to his comeback as he captured the next two games to register a 6-7 (2), 7-5, 7-5 win.
Ajdukovic came through the qualifying rounds and defeated Luca Van Assche in the first round. He upset eighth seed Pavel Kotov in three sets in the second round to book a quarterfinal date with Thiago Monteiro.
Ajdukovic took the first set quite comfortably, and Monteiro struck back by claiming the second set. The former secured a break of serve at the start of the third set which sealed the match in his favor, completing a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win.
Rafael Nadal vs Duje Ajdukovic head-to-head
As this will be the first meeting between them, the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Rafael Nadal vs Duje Ajdukovic odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Rafael Nadal vs Duje Ajdukovic prediction
Nadal's fighting spirit was on display as he gave it his all to edge past Navone in four hours. He overcame frequent momentum shifts and a late charge from his opponent to reach his first semifinal of the season. He fired 33 winners during the match, though it was exceeded by his unforced error count, which stood at 42.
The Spaniard had flashes of brilliance as well as some questionable passive play, which could have cost him the match. However, when push came to shove, his killer instinct didn't disappoint him.
Ajdukovic was pushed to three sets as well, though he was able to wrap up his match in a little over two hours. It all comes down to how Nadal's body will hold up after such a physically taxing duel. He could potentially withdraw with an eye on doing well at the Olympics. If the Spaniard isn't too fatigued and does take to the court, he will be favored to win.
Pick: Rafael Nadal to win in straight sets.
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