Alexander Zverev against Rafael Nadal. The Olympic champion from Hamburg against the clay court king from Spain. The in-form Rome champion against the doubtful old master. The first round duel between the two tennis stars at the French Open has many facets – and a long history.
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Zverev (27) and Nadal (37) have already faced each other ten times, for the first time in 2016 and most recently in 2022 in a memorable semifinal at Roland Garros. At that time, Nadal was the top favorite, but Zverev pushed the record winner to his physical limits for two sets – and then collapsed himself with serious consequences at 6:7 (8:10), 6:6.
Zverev collected three victories in a row in 2019, 2020 and 2021 – and one of them even on clay. Three years ago he defeated Nadal in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters in Madrid and then won the title. In Grand Slam tournaments, the record is 0:2 – Zverev lost in five sets at the Australian Open in 2017 as a 19-year-old. Then two years ago there was the drama on Court Philippe Chatrier.
After that, Zverev began a period of suffering, from which he emerged brilliantly. Nadal, on the other hand, struggled with injuries in 2023 and 2024; two decades at the top of world tennis have left their mark. He missed almost all of last season, and this year Nadal has performed well below his potential. – The previous duels between Zverev and Nadal:
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2022 French Open, semi-final: Nadal – Zverev 7:6 (10:8), 6:6 retirement Zverev
2021 ATP Masters in Rome, quarterfinals: Nadal – Zverev 6:3, 6:4
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2021 ATP Masters in Madrid, quarterfinals: Zverev – Nadal 6:4, 6:4
2020 ATP Masters in Paris, semi-final: Zverev – Nadal 6:5, 7:5
2019 ATP Finals in London, Group: Zverev – Nadal 6:2, 6:4
2018 ATP-Masters in Rom, Finale: Nadal – Zverev 6:1, 1:6, 6:3
2018 Davis Cup, Group: Nadal – Zverev 6:1, 6:4, 6:4
2017 ATP Masters in Monte Carlo, Round of 16: Nadal – Zverev 6:1, 6:1
2017 Australian Open, Round 3: Nadal – Zverev 4:6, 6:3, 6:7 (5:7), 6:3, 6:2
2016 ATP Masters in Indian Wells, Round of 16: Nadal – Zverev 6:7 (8:10), 6:0, 7:5
2024-05-24 04:41:36
#Zverev #Nadal #duel #history
