Rafael Nadal vs Andrey Rublev: Nitto ATP Finals Preview and Prediction

Second seed Rafael Nadal kickstarts his campaign with a tough encounter against the seventh seed Andrey Rublev

Key Insights

• Nadal leads the head to head record 1-0 against Rublev.
• The Spaniard is aiming to win his first ATP Finals title in his 10th attempt after finishing as runner-up two times in 2010 and 2013 where he lost to his great archrivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
• Rublev has won two indoor hard court titles triumphing in St.Petersburg and Vienna this year.
• Nadal has won only 1 indoor title in his career, the Madrid Open in 2005.
• Rublev has won a record five titles this year surpassing Djokovic's tally of four.
• Nadal has 79 wins and 33 losses on indoor hardcourts in his career.
• Rublev has won 89 matches and lost 49 clashes on indoor hardcourts in his career.
• Rublev is making his debut in the ATP Finals.
• Nadal has won 18 matches and lost 14 at the ATP Finals.

The 'King of Clay' is coming into this tournament after a straight-sets defeat to Alexander Zverev in the semifinals of the Paris Masters. 

Rublev is arriving after a tough three-set loss to Stan Wawrinka in the pre-quarterfinals in Paris. 

Rafa always struggles to generate the same amount of topspin and velocity of his groundstrokes on indoor hardcourts when compared to other surfaces which hurt his chances of winning most of the time. 

Rublev has a powerful forehand, a big serve, and a newfound maturity which made him the most improved player on the tour in the last 12 months. 

While the Spaniard overpowered Rublev in straight sets in their only previous meeting in the 2017 US Open quarterfinals, Rublev is no longer an amateur player. He is a deserving member of the top 10 now after being out of the top 100 just two years ago. The Russian has had one of his best seasons ever in his career and has his task cut out against Nadal. 

Nadal would look to start strong as an opening defeat would make him in a position to win two consecutive matches to make it to the semifinals.

Prediction - Rafael Nadal to win in three sets

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