Monday, Jan 24, 2022. 9:46 PM
RDS2 and RDS Direct are currently showing the match between Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka start the ball rolling, nine French outings”>Denis Shapovalov and Rafael Nadal.
For Denis Shapovalov to extend his career-best performance at the Australian Open, he will need to defeat the legendary Rafael Nadal.
As expected, however, this is no small feat for the 22-year-old Canadian.
Shapo lost the first set 6-3.
Shapovalov, seeded 14, knocked out world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals and face Nadal, seeded sixth in the tournament.
Nadal has won 20 Grand Slam titles since 2005 and won his only Australian Open title in 2009.
The 35-year-old Spaniard has beaten Shapovalov in three of his four ATP matches.
Shapovalov is the fourth Canadian to reach the quarter-finals in Melbourne, following Milos Raonic, Mike Belkin and Felix Auger-Aliassime, who qualified by defeating Marin Cilic in the round of 16 on Sunday.
Shapovalov said at the start of the tournament that he wanted to bring a “Rafa mentality” to the court.
“I definitely expect a long battle on the pitch. He makes you play a lot. His defense is very good. He’s very good at what he does,” Shapovalov said of Nadal. “I’m going to have to try to play my game, take it to him and keep doing what I’ve done so far: be patient, fight for every point and choose my moments to play aggressively. »
Nadal, who pointed out that Shapovalov recently helped Canada win the ATP Cup and defeated Zverev, expects a tough game.
“It will be a big challenge, he is an incredible player with great potential. He plays fantastically. We are in the quarterfinals, I know how dangerous and good he is and I have to play at my highest level if I want to have a chance to be competitive and have a chance to continue my journey.
“I’m excited to play this game, it will be a big challenge for me. »
