Mutua Madrid Open 2021 Draw and Bracket: Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem in the Same Half, Daniil Medvedev Handed an Easy Path

The WTA draw of Mutua Madrid Open 2021 has already begun. Now it’s time for the men’s draw. Rafael Nadal headlines the playing field after a late withdrawal from World No.1 Novak Djokovic. Read below to know who the record five-time champion could face in his home tournament.

Nadal is the top seed given his World No.2 ranking. Trailing him is the young crop of players – Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

A tough path beckons for Rafael Nadal at Mutua Madrid Open 2021

Nadal could face tough challenge from Adrian Mannarino or Spanish teenager Carlos Alcarez in the second round. Then according to the seeds, he could face Italian sensation, Jannik Sinner, in the 3rd round. Then Nadal could face Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals and furthermore he finds Dominic Thiem in his half itself.

Nadal‘s clay-court reign was shaken after a shock loss to Andrey Rublev in Monte Carlo. But the Spaniard returned to his old prowess in Barcelona by winning a record 12th title. At Madrid Open 2021, without the challenge from his prime rival, Djokovic, Nadal is a huge favorite.

Will Daniil Medvedev get a good return after recovering from COVID-19?

Medvedev has a relatively lighter draw to Nadal. His first seeded encounter will be against Cristian Garin in the third round. Then in the quarterfinals, based on the rankings, Medvedev will have an Italian challenge in the form of Matteo Berrettini. Medvedev has Tsitsipas on his side.

Daniil Medvedev has fully recovered from the COVID-19 virus. It was unfortunate that he caught the virus because he was coming with confidence this time for the clay-court season. Medvedev’s clay-court credentials are not in accordance with his high ranking, but in 2021 it looked like the Russian might have improved his skills. He will be keenly watched in Madrid.

Dominic Thiem’s path towards maiden Madrid Open title

Thiem will face a qualifier first. Then he could face Grigor Dimitrov. And then in the quarterfinals, one could see Rublev against Thiem. Afterward, a clash with Nadal is also slated in the semifinals according to the seeds

Thiem has had a tough 2021 mentally and physically. After the highs of 2020, Thiem has come crashing down because of mental discomfort coupled with injuries. He is yet to play in the clay season, and in the past years, he has been closer to Djokovic and Nadal on clay.

Stefanos Tsitsipas’ road to redemption at Mutua Madrid Open 2021

Tsitsipas could face Felix Auger Aliassime in the 3rd round. And then, in the quarterfinals, he could play Diego Schwartzman. He is on the same side as Medvedev.

Tsitsipas has surprised everyone this clay season. Despite his seeding of fourth, he is the second favorite to win in Madrid. In the two tournaments, he has played on clay this year he won the Monte Carlo Masters and then nearly beat Nadal in the Barcelona Open final.

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