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Fourteen-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal has been passed a nightmarish opening draw on the 2024 version of the Roland Garros match, with the Spaniard slated to stand global No. 4 Alexander Zverev in around one. This might be their first-ever assembly because the exciting 2022 semifinal fit, the place the German was once pressured to retire because of an ankle twist after trailing 7-6, 6-6 within the fit on Philippe Chatrier.

Spain's Rafael Nadal takes part in a practice session during the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris (AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal takes phase in a tradition consultation all through the French Open tennis match on Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier on the Roland Garros Complicated in Paris (AFP)

The blockbuster tie was once to begin with scheduled for Sunday, the hole day of the 2024 French Open at Stade Roland Garros, prior to it was once shifted to Monday. On the other hand, and not using a legitimate affirmation at the time as of Saturday, Nadal and his crew, in line with a file in L’Equipe, installed a request not to play the fit within the night time consultation and the organisers agreed, with the 22-time Grand Slam winner scheduled for a day fit in opposition to Zverev (3:30 PM IST).

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Why will a day fit favour Rafael Nadal in opposition to Alexander Zverev?

It’s going to be a bonus Nadal with the French Open scheduling the popcorn round-one conflict on Monday afternoon. The stipulations within the day, with much less humidity, will permit the ball not to get heavy, an element that would paintings in Nadal’s choose. His tough forehand, a signature transfer, may inflict a lot more injury beneath those stipulations.

This was once glaring within the Madrid Masters ultimate month, the place Nadal performed his first 3 fits within the afternoon and with ease claimed victories in all, together with one in opposition to global No. 10 Alex de Minaur. In the one fit he performed within the night time consultation, Nadal misplaced to Jiri Lehecka in instantly units. The exchange of time table was once as a result of Nadal required some relaxation.

On the other hand, the end result of the fit continues to be unsure, and Zverev’s talents can’t be underestimated.

General, Nadal enjoys a dominating 7-3 lead within the head-to-head report in opposition to Zverev. On the other hand, the Spaniard heads into the match at the again of a 5-3 report in clay, which integrated second-round exits in Barcelona and Rome.