Rafael Nadal vs Reilly Opelka Indian Wells 2022 Preview

With Gael Monfils seeing off Daniil Medvedev on Monday, Rafael Nadal is now the heavy favorite to make the ultimate at Indian Wells from the highest half of the draw. The No. 4 seed will play Reilly Opelka for a spot within the quarters-final with a possible thriller with Nick Kyrgios on the playing cards ought to he advance.

Opelka achieved his greatest efficiency ever at a Masters 1000 within the USA because of a powerful win towards Denis Shapovalov 6-7 6-4 6-4. A powerful serving efficiency shaped the idea for the win with Opelka hitting 11 aces and saving all 4 break factors he confronted.

Nadal had a a lot simpler time towards Daniel Evans than in his earlier match, beating the Brit in straights 7-5 6-3. He did begin slowly although, falling 2-4 behind earlier than taking management with a run of eight video games in 9 from that stage. “The match didn’t begin the best way that I needed,” Nadal mentioned, “however I used to be in a position to hit a few good passing pictures in some key moments, after which issues began to construct a bit higher.”

Whereas Nadal has prolonged his Masters 1000 document by way of matches gained to 400, he’s nonetheless one title behind Novak Djokovic. Beating Opelka would transfer him one step nearer to tying that but it surely gained’t be simple towards the American. The floor will go well with the Amercan greater than the one of their solely assembly to this point, the place Nadal gained a good two setter in Rome. His document towards the large servers has typically been good although with them ultimately failing to take care of the highest spin and serving lights out all match usually being unsustainable.

Prediction – Rafael Nadal in straight units