Rafael Nadal vs Miomir Kecmanovic Madrid Masters 2022 Preview

Rafael Nadal makes his return to the tour on Wednesday afternoon, taking up Miomir Kecmanovic for a spot within the third spherical of Madrid Masters. They’ve met simply as soon as earlier than with Nadal successful in straights at Acapulco two years in the past. Nevertheless, the Serbian continues to enhance and is a harmful opponent for somebody low on match play.

Kecmanovic was simply inside the highest 80 in the beginning of the 12 months however has surged dramatically within the first 4 months of the 12 months and comes into the event at a profession excessive of 32. He misplaced all three matches however did push eventual finalists Fritz, Alcaraz and Djokovic to a few setters in Indian Wells, Miami and Belgrade respectively.

Nadal final performed at Indian Wells, seeing his unbeaten begin to the season finish within the remaining there. A rib damage hindered his capacity to compete towards Taylor Fritz and noticed him spend over a month out. “I’ve improved in comparison with after I arrived right here [in Madrid], however I nonetheless have ups and downs, as a result of it’s been a very long time. It’s going to be a troublesome week,” Nadal mentioned. “That’s the fact. We now have to be calm, now we have to simply accept that issues are going to be distant from perfection, however then onwards we simply should battle. I’m recovered. I really feel good.”

Along with his beloved Actual Madrid in with an opportunity of constructing the Champions League remaining, Nadal will probably be hoping it’s a double celebration for him by the top of the evening. The afternoon circumstances do normally go well with him extra with the bounce extra preferable for his model of play. He could nicely have favored a extra beneficial draw to start the event particularly with more durable matches projected in each the fourth spherical and quarter finals. If seedings maintain, it could be Nadal towards Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic earlier than the ultimate.

Prediction – Rafael Nadal in straight units