French Open 2019 – David Goffin vs Rafael Nadal Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is David Goffin vs Rafael Nadal taking place? Philippe-Chatrier, Roland-Garros, Paris
When is David Goffin vs Rafael Nadal on and what time does it start? Friday 31st May, 2019 – (not before) 12:30 (UK)
What channel is David Goffin vs Rafael Nadal on in the UK? ITV4 & Eurosport are sharing broadcasting rights for the French Open so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I stream David Goffin vs Rafael Nadal? Televised matches can be streamed via the ITV Hub & Eurosport Player
Where can I get tickets for David Goffin vs Rafael Nadal?
https://tickets.rolandgarros.com/en/home
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: David Goffin 1-3 Rafael Nadal
Last meeting: Rafael Nadal beat David Goffin 6-4, 6-0
THE PLAYERS
DAVID GOFFIN
- 27th seed David Goffin has so far coasted through Roland-Garros, dropping just four games in his first match before seeing off Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets in the second round.
- Goffin has some measured success at the French Open having reached the quarter-finals in 2016 where he lost out to one of this year’s favourites Dominic Thiem.
- The 28-year-old will face Rafael Nadal for the fifth time in his career and has a 3-1 deficit in their head-to-head, with three matches on clay and one on hard courts and no surprises as to who won where.
RAFAEL NADAL
- Rafael Nadal was in typically ruthless form early on against German qualifier Yannick Maden, dropping just three games in the first two sets, before some rhythm was lost in the third (6-1, 6-2, 6-4).
- As the world number two aims to break his own record for his 12th Roland-Garros title, it is interesting that he has lost to both Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem at Madrid and Barcelona respectively but beat Novak Djokovic in Rome. Arguably, these are the four favourites for the title.
- Nadal has three wins on clay over his third-round opponent David Goffin since 2017 (Monaco, Madrid and Barcelona).
THE PREDICTION
David Goffin is an industrious and sometimes silky player to watch but he will take little comfort from his only win over Rafael Nadal on a hard court. The pair have faced off three times on clay, with Goffin not managing a set, and the Spaniard is likely to raise his game for Goffin after his first two matches. The Belgian could play well and still not claim a set here.
