Rafael Nadal and Hubert Hurkacz will be facing each other for the first time in their careers when they meet in round two of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Saturday.
While Hurkacz would typically be favored on faster surfaces like grass or hard courts, the clay court at Rome levels the playing field. Nadal, a ten-time champion at this tournament, has a solid chance on his favored surface.
The 37-year-old Nadal fought hard to secure his spot in this match, coming back from a set down to defeat Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the previous round. He has a 5-2 record so far in the clay-court season, with losses in Barcelona and Madrid.
Hurkacz’s clay-court results have been inconsistent, with early exits in recent tournaments. However, he did start his dirt swing with a title in Estoril.
This match presents a challenge for Nadal, especially with his serve still not at peak level. Hurkacz is known for playing close matches that often come down to crucial points, and his strong service game could give him an advantage in pressure situations against Nadal.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3 sets
