2020 Nitto ATP Finals – Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas on and what time does it start? Thursday 19th November, 2020 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas taking place? The O2 Arena, London
What channel is Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match via Amazon Prime Video
Where can I get tickets for Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas? The Nitto ATP Finals will be played without spectators
THE LOWDOWN
RAFAEL NADAL
- World number two Rafael Nadal shared an incredible match with Dominic Thiem on Tuesday afternoon, losing in straight sets despite playing exceptionally well.
- It appears Nadal will have to go back to the drawing board for future bouts with Dominic Thiem as the Austrian has beat him twice this year with similarly outstanding performances.
- The format at the ATP Finals is such that Nadal will still be confident of making the knockout phase and going in as second or first seed will not make much difference against the likes of (most likely) Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
- Stefanos Tsitsipas had to dig deep against Andrey Rublev after the Russian fought back from a torrid first set loss to force a decider, and even four match points, before the Greek came through.
- This tournament really seems to mean it most to 22-year-old Tsitsipas, especially after an average year on tour winning just one title and as the defending champion here.
- Tsitsipas lost to Nadal at last year’s ATP Finals after talking the first set against the then world number one but he will take heart from the fact that he went on to win the entire competition on debut.
THE PREDICTION
The 5-1 head-to-head record, in favour of Rafael Nadal, that these players share is phenomenal in terms of pressure. Nadal has won two finals, two semi-finals and last year’s ATP Finals fixture over the Greek, with Tsitsipas taking the other semi-final at last year’s Madrid Masters. With so much at stake in all of their matches thus far we should be in for another ATP Finals classic here, especially as last year’s edition went to a lengthy decider. However, it does not look good for the defending champion after his two matches so far. The Greek has shown glimpses of brilliance, and he always displays a courage beyond his years, but he has been angry at himself throughout in a way that Nadal will have researched and can exploit when they face each other for a seventh time. Nadal, too, needs this match more than any match he’s needed this season as he seeks out a first title at the year-end event and the way in which he lost to Dominic Thiem will have left him rueful but confident. Whether or not this goes to a decider seems entirely down to Tsitsipas’ sheer determination but after his loss to Thiem, Nadal is going to be as ruthless as he is desperate and that should result in a straight-sets victory for the world number two.
