Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Italian Open
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov on and what time does it start? Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov will take place on Thursday 12th May, 2022 – not before 18:00 (UK)
Where is Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov taking place? Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov will take place at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy
What surface is Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov being played on? Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov will take place on an outdoor clay court
Where can I get tickets for Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov
What channel is Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov on in the UK? Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov will be televised live on the Amazon Prime app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov live on Prime Video, while Tennis TV subscribers can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
RAFAEL NADAL
World number four Rafael Nadal started the defence of his 10th Italian Open title with an assured straight-sets victory over John Isner, conceding just four games. The 35-year-old beat Novak Djokovic in the final here last season in one of the best matches of 2021 but the Serb had the last laugh with a four-set victory in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros soon after. Nadal won the Australian Open back in January to set a new Men’s Singles Grand Slam record with 21 major titles. Nadal lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz for a first time in the quarter-finals of last week’s Madrid Open.
DENIS SHAPOVALOV
World number 16 Denis Shapovalov beat Nikoloz Basilashvili in straight sets on Tuesday to win back-to-back matches for the first time since reaching the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships in February. The 23-year-old owns just one ATP title so far from the 2019 Stockholm Open but he has a very high ceiling as a Wimbledon semi-finalist last season, with a run to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open this January ended in five sets by Rafael Nadal. Shapovalov reached the semi-finals here in Rome back in 2020 before losing to eventual runner-up Diego Schwartzman.
THE PREDICTION
There has always been a spot of extra needle in matches between Rafael Nadal and Denis Shapovalov after the Canadian stunned Nadal as a raw teenager in their first meeting at the 2017 Canadian Open. In many ways 23-year-old Shapovalov is still that same raw, talented teenager and that has seen Nadal repay in kind over the years to lead their head-to-head record 4-1, including a five-set thriller at the Australian Open back in January. The pair met at this stage of the Italian Open last season, where Nadal saved match points in a three-set victory, and there is potential for more of the same here if Shapovalov finds his very best level. Back Nadal to win outright here with three sets a distinct possibility.
