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Match Details
Fixture: Rafael Nadal vs (10) Alex de Minaur
Date: April 27, 2024
Tournament: Mutua Madrid Open
Round: Second round
Venue: Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: €7,697,965
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Rafael Nadal vs Alex de Minaur preview
Former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will square off against Alex de Minaur in the second round of the 2024 Madrid Open.
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After a 12-month injury break on the sidelines, Nadal returned to the men's tour at the Brisbane International. He defeated the likes of Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler en route to the quarterfinals, but couldn't make his mark against Jordan Thompson as the Australian outlasted him 5-7, 7-6(7), 6-3.
The Spaniard entered Madrid on the back of a second-round exit in the Barcelona Open. He began his campaign by cruising past Darwin Blanch in the first round, 6-1, 6-0.
Alex de Minaur, meanwhile, has made a propitious start to the season by chalking up 23 wins from 31 matches, including a title-winning run in the Mexican Open and a runner-up finish in the Rotterdam Open. He also reached the quarterfinals in Monte-Carlo, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
The Australian will enter Madrid on the back of a third-round exit in the Barcelona Open. He began his campaign with a solid win against Rafael Nadal but fell to Arthur Fils in the last 16. The Frenchman defeated De Minaur in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2.
Rafael Nadal vs Alex de Minaur head-to-head
Nadal leads the head-to-head against Alex de Minaur 3-2. The Australian won their most recent encounter in the 2024 Barcelona Open.
Rafael Nadal vs Alex de Minaur odds
All odds sourced by BETMGM (Remaining odds will be updated once available)
Rafael Nadal vs Alex de Minaur prediction
A thrilling encounter is on the cards between Rafael Nadal and Alex de Minaur in the second round of the Madrid Open. The duo will lock horns with each other for the second time this month on clay.
Considering his frequent knack of picking up an injury, Nadal has been cautious about his schedule this year. He will be hoping to raise his level with considerable game time under his belt. The Spaniard has an outrageous record on clay and possesses all the shots in the book to complement his game.
De Minaur, on the contrary, has evolved into a serious competitor on tour. His results this season showcase his potential to perform consistently at a high level. The 25-year-old will only improve further in the next couple of years. He is known for his counter-punching ability from the baseline and effortless movement on the court.
Ultimately, the player who begins well and wins the tactical battle in the opening hour will have the upper hand in this bout. Nadal faced a stern challenge from the Australian in Barcelona but should be able to raise his level this time around. If the Spaniard moves well on the court and finds his range from the word go, he could cause problems for De Minaur's run in Madrid.
Pick: Nadal to win in straight sets.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
