2021 Monte-Carlo Masters Quarter-Final – Andrey Rublev vs Rafael Nadal Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Andrey Rublev vs Rafael Nadal taking place? Monte Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
When is Andrey Rublev vs Rafael Nadal on and what time does it start? Friday 16th April, 2021 – not before TBC (UK)
What surface is Andrey Rublev vs Rafael Nadal being played on? Clay (outdoor)
Where can I get tickets for Andrey Rublev vs Rafael Nadal? No tickets are available as this tournament will take place without spectators
What channel is Andrey Rublev vs Rafael Nadal on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Andrey Rublev vs Rafael Nadal? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match live via their platform. Subscribers of Tennis TV can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
ANDREY RUBLEV
- World number eight Andrey Rublev exacted revenge on Roberto Bautista Agut for beating him last month in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open with a fierce three-set victory on Thursday.
- 23-year-old Rublev will face Rafael Nadal for the third time and the first on clay in what should be a steep learning curve in his development as a top ten mainstay.
RAFAEL NADAL
- 34-year-old Rafael Nadal can bounce straight back into the world number two spot if he continues in this form in Monte-Carlo, conceding just two games on his way to defeating Grigor Dimitrov for a 14th time.
- The Spaniard is chasing a record-extending 12th Monte-Carlo Masters title this week and his campaign has been made all the easier by the shock defeat of Novak Djokovic on Thursday by Dan Evans.
Monte-Carlo Masters sixth seed Andrey Rublev was red hot against an in-form Roberto Bautista Agut in the round of 16 to prove a few doubters wrong but he should have nothing to prove in a third meeting with Rafael Nadal, the best player there will probably ever be on clay. Rublev has lost to Nadal in both their previous matches without getting near taking a set at the 2017 US Open and last year’s ATP Finals and this will be tougher challenge on Nadal’s favoured surface. 34-year-old Nadal has completely dismissed his first two Monte-Carlo opponents in Federico Delbonis and an out-of-sorts Grigor Dimitrov to reach this stage without really breaking a sweat and the draw continues to open up for him. Without Djokovic and Medvedev in the draw the Spaniard has no distinct predators in this tournament and he should be able to exert enough pressure to beat the fierce force of Rublev in straight sets again here. Rublev will test him throughout, which is more than most do, but the Russian can still sometimes falter when facing the elite players on tour.
