Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev – Semi-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 French Open
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THE FACTS
When is Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev on and what time does it start? Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev will take place on Friday 3rd June, 2022 – not before 13:45 (UK)
Where is Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev taking place? Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev will take place at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France
What surface is Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev being played on? Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev will take place on an outdoor clay court
Where can I get tickets for Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev
What channel is Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev on in the UK? Eurosport will be televising major matches so it is worth checking their schedule for Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev
Where can I stream Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev in the UK? discovery+ subscribers can stream Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev live while the match can be streamed on Eurosport Player and Amazon Prime Video if it is televised
THE LOWDOWN
RAFAEL NADAL
13-time Roland-Garros champion Rafael Nadal produced a stunning display against world number one Novak Djokovic late on Tuesday night, beating the defending champion in four exhilarating sets. The 35-year-old is the last remaining pre-tournament favourite in Paris after Carlos Alcaraz’ defeat to his next opponent, Alexander Zverev, earlier on Tuesday and he can enjoy an extra day’s rest before Friday’s clash. Nadal has lost just three matches in 18 appearances at Roland-Garros; to Robin Soderling in 2009 and Djokovic in 2015 and last season’s semi-final. The Spaniard set a new Men’s Grand Slam record at the Australian Open back in January, claiming a 21st major title from two sets down to Daniil Medvedev.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV
World number three Alexander Zverev had a point to prove in a rematch with Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday after the Spanish prodigy dismissed him for four games in the Madrid Open final last month. The 25-year-old enjoyed his best season on tour last year with a Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, a second ATP Finals crown and four further ATP titles on tour – bringing his career-total to 19. Zverev lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros last season, in five sets, but his best Grand Slam showing to date is finishing runner-up to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.
THE PREDICTION
With the greatest of respect to the other side of the men’s draw, the winner of this semi-final should go on to lift the famous Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday. World number five Rafael Nadal came in with less expectation than usual at his spiritual home but his performance against Novak Djokovic on Tuesday was sublime. The Spaniard started fiercely to grab the first set with both hands and he will need to maintain that intensity with his foot injury currently likely hovering around the manageable/unbearable pain threshold.
A fast start against Zverev is wise anyway, as the German can often start slowly and then become jaded if he goes down two sets too quickly. Carlos Alcaraz missed a trick on Tuesday with a poor performance by his standards but Zverev was excellent and firing cleanly from the service line to suggest there will be sets in this for both players. Nadal leads Zverev 6-3 in their head-to-head, most recently beating the 25-year-old in straight sets at last season’s Italian Open on his way to the title. Much of this match, and the next if he comes through, relies on the Spaniard recovering properly. Back Nadal to win outright here with four sets more likely than three.
