Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal – Semi-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Indian Wells Masters
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THE FACTS
When is Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal on and what time does it start? Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal will take place on Saturday 19th March, 2022 – not before 21:20 (UK)
Where is Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal taking place? Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, USA
What surface is Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal being played on? Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal
What channel is Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal on in the UK? Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal will be televised live on the Amazon Prime app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal live on Prime Video, while Tennis TV subscribers can also stream the match live
THE LOWDOWN
CARLOS ALCARAZ
18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz continued his breakneck rise up the ATP rankings with a career-high of at least 15th reached after defeating the defending Indian Wells champion, Cam Norrie, in straight sets on Thursday. Alcaraz is now riding a nine-match winning streak from his ATP 500 Rio Open title once last time out, with only world number six Matteo Berrettini able to beat him this season in five sets at the Australian Open.
RAFAEL NADAL
World number four Rafael Nadal can usurp Alexander Zverev into third place of the ATP world rankings by reaching the final on Sunday and he can match Novak Djokovic’s Masters titles record of 37 by winning it. The 35-year-old overcame a fiery Nick Kyrgios in three sets on Thursday to win his 19th match of the season – a perfect record so far for 2022 with three tournament wins in a row at Melbourne 1, the Australian Open and the Mexican Open. Former world number one Nadal set the new Men’s Singles Grand Slam record in January when he beat Daniil Medvedev in five sets to win his 21st major.
THE PREDICTION
In many ways this showdown deserves to be this Sunday’s Indian Wells final between the master and the apprentice, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. 35-year-old Nadal has said this week that Alcaraz will one day be “unstoppable” but the Spaniard has been in a rush since he burst onto the scene last season and he is yet to drop a set this campaign as he makes gain after gain towards the top 10. Alcaraz first played his idol and compatriot Nadal on his 18th birthday in the second round of the Madrid Masters last season, where he lost to the tune of just three games won. This time around anything could happen, with Alcaraz’ form suggesting he could even beat Nadal here weighed up against the emotions that could get in his way.
It remains to be seen, namely, if the teenager becomes overawed or tight in the key moments against a legend of the sport who exudes pressure on the other side of the court. For that reason, backing Nadal to win at least a set as the likelier man to win the occasion, despite carrying a recurring injury, is the sensible move here.
