Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Indian Wells Masters
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THE FACTS
When is Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios on and what time does it start? Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios will take place on Thursday 17th March, 2022 – not before 22:00 (UK)
Where is Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios taking place? Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, USA
What surface is Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios being played on? Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios
What channel is Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios on in the UK? Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios will be televised live on the Amazon Prime app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios live on Prime Video, while Tennis TV subscribers can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
RAFAEL NADAL
World number four Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak to 18 matches after a tight straight-set victory over an impressive Reilly Opelka via two tiebreaks on Wednesday. The 35-year-old can usurp Alexander Zverev into world number three by reaching the final this weekend after miraculous form so far in 2022 sees him with three titles to his name already. Nadal won a record-breaking 21st Men’s Singles Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and he can equal Novak Djokovic’s Masters titles record of 37 if he wins on Sunday.
NICK KYRGIOS
Former world number 13 Nick Kyrgios was afforded a helpful break when Jannik Sinner handed him a walkover to the quarter-finals. The Aussie used the time to hold an impromptu Q&A session with fans on Wednesday, with his charm offensive likely to win him a spot more support in this blockbuster with his nemesis Rafael Nadal. Kyrgios can break back into the top 100 with another win at Indian Wells after beating world number eight Casper Ruud and blasting past Argentines Federico Delbonis and Sebastian Baez.
THE PREDICTION
This is as blockbuster as they come on the ATP tour as Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios meet for the ninth time in their careers. There is no love lost between the two after the Aussie labelled Nadal ‘salty’, with Kyrgios’ on-court antics far removed from the 110% effort and stoic iconography that the Spaniard embodies. Their difference is what makes their matches so incredibly exciting, with a teenage Kyrgios shocking Nadal in four sets in the round of 16 at Wimbledon way back in 2014 but Nadal getting the better of their head-to-head record over the years for a 5-3 lead after returning the favour in the round of 16 of the Australian Open in 2020.
Kyrgios beat Nadal most recently at the 2019 Mexican Open, where he went on to win the fifth of his six ATP titles. Their last three meetings have seen a set go to either player and the fact of the matter is Nadal is playing with a concerning injury in his problem foot once again. The Spaniard will be desperate to continue this run through to a fourth title to take his stunning inning streak home for a rest until the clay swing starts in April but backing Kyrgios to win at least a set here looks the shrewd move to leave the winner up to chance.
