2021 Australian Open Round of 16 – Fabio Fognini vs Rafael Nadal Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Fabio Fognini vs Rafael Nadal taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Fabio Fognini vs Rafael Nadal on and what time does it start? Monday 15th February, 2021 – not before 04:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Fabio Fognini vs Rafael Nadal? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Fabio Fognini vs Rafael Nadal on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Fabio Fognini vs Rafael Nadal in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
THE LOWDOWN
FABIO FOGNINI
- 16th-seed Fabio Fognini has finally found his mojo again and was exceptional in a straight-sets victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who will have admittedly suffered for the sudden lack of spectators.
- Fognini has beaten Rafael Nadal on four previous occasions over the years, most notably in their last Grand Slam meeting over five sets at the 2015 US Open, though they are 7-1 to Nadal since then.
RAFAEL NADAL
- World number two Rafael Nadal has reached the second week of the Australian Open in his customary fashion, by winning his first three matches without conceding a set to Laslo Djere, Michael Mmoh and most recently to a tough test from Cam Norrie.
- The 34-year-old is all about conserving energy in the earlier rounds of majors as he targets a Men’s record-breaking 21 Grand Slam titles, but just his second Australian Open title, here.
THE PREDICTION
This is the first Australian Open fixture with some real history behind it as Rafael Nadal meets Fabio Fognini here leading a 12-4 head-to-head record over the firebrand Italian. The way that Fognini has rediscovered his form in 2021 is quite astounding seeing as he started the season off with a comfortable defeat to then world number 100 Dennis Novak at the ATP Cup. 33-year-old Fognini beat Nadal three times in 2015 to amp up his record against the world number two but since his epic five-set win in the third round of the US Open that season it seems the Spaniard has turned the screw. Nevertheless, the way that Fognini has developed here in Melbourne suggests he can take asset here which is an achievement in itself. Whilst Nadal is yet to be truly challenged at the Australian Open this year this is only his fourth match and will certainly be his toughest test of the tournament. Both players to take a set in a win for the Spaniard should offer some value here as the world number two could just as easily up his game to storm through in three. This is a must-watch match between Fognini’s incredible precision and Nadal’s legendary everything. There will be fireworks.
