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How Can Novak Djokovic and Others Stop Rafael Nadal at French Open 2021?
20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has built yet another flawless camp at the French Open 2021. Without losing a set since 2019, the Spaniard has entered the last eight in Paris for the 15th time.
But while Nadal has the best chances to win, some aspects of the game might keep him from winning. However, the margin of the possibility of him losing at Roland-Garros is also considerably low.
Without further ado, let us find out where Nadal has fallen short against his opponents. For this, we will also look at the stats of his most prominent threat, Serbian World No.1 Novak Djokovic, to understand the situation better.
Watch this story: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, And Other ATP Players’ Maiden Tour Title
Factors that put Rafael Nadal’s French Open title defence in question
First and foremost, the Spaniard has not been as dominating as usual on the big points of a match. So far, Nadal has 55% (10-18) of break points saved and 49.1% (26-53) converted.
Comparatively, Djokovic has rescued a substantial 84.2% (16-19) break points and converted 67.6% (25-37) times. Hence, the 35-year-old Mallorcan might want to see through the crucial moments in his next matches.
Another staggering factor that puts Nadal behind Djokovic is their service game. Admittedly, the Spaniard’s serve has bothered him since the start of the clay season and has had its ups and downs.
Until the QFs, Nadal has delivered 17 aces and equal doubles faults on the Parisian clay. On the other side, Djokovic has hit 30 aces and is level with the Spaniard on double faults.
Moreover, Nadal hasn’t hit as many winners as Djokovic, and he has made unforced errors more than the Serb. Unquestionably, the 35-year-old would want to change that in the later stage of the tournament.
Above all, Nadal also hasn’t faced a competitive match in the French Open 2021. While all credits go to the genius of his game on clay, his next opponents might not go down quietly.
8 men. 1 #RolandGarros title.
pic.twitter.com/QTyYxAv19A
— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 8, 2021
Also, all his challengers are more eager than ever to take the Spaniard down at Roland-Garros. Thus, Nadal’s hunger for his 21st Grand Slam title would also be under test up to the fullest.
Who will Rafael Nadal play in the Roland-Garros 2021 QFs?
Nadal will meet his last year’s semifinal’s opponent Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals. Notably, the Argentine has the experience of defeating the Spaniard on clay before. Hence, he will leave his everything on the court to stop Nadal at Roland-Garros.
If the Mallorcan passes the Argentine safely, he will meet either Matteo Berrettini or Novak Djokovic in the SFs. The Serb is the only player in the current draw to have beaten Nadal at Roland-Garros before.
Ultimately, the Spaniard could face Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev in the final. Both have enough weapons and drive to take on the Spaniard challenge on the revered clay court.
Conclusively, things might take a turn for Nadal from this part of the tournament. However, his calibre to cross every hurdle has stunned the world many times in the past.
Will Nadal go on to win his 14th French Open title?
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