Rafael Nadal vs Hubert Hurkacz - Italian Open Rome Tennis Prediction and Pick 5/11/24

Rafael Nadal vs Hubert Hurkacz

Satuday, May 11, 2024

Rafael Nadal -121 / Hubert Hurkacz -102 Click Here for the Latest Odds

Where to Watch: USA: Tennis Channel Plus, UK: Sky Tennis, Global: Tennis TV

Rafael Nadal's first acid test at the 2024 Italian Open will be in the second round when he faces seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz. The match is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024. Here's our Rafael Nadal vs Hubert Hurkacz prediction.

Rafael Nadal vs Hubert Hurkacz Preview

Rafael Nadal will most certainly need to tidy up his game as he is set to face a Top 10 player for the first time this season. He got the result he wanted in his comeback win over Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs, but the Spaniard was not overly impressed by his performance. Yes, there were some good moments in the match, like that insane point he won after falling in the middle of a rally, but Bergs matched him from the baseline, hitting with length and accuracy. Nadal gave away as many as nine break point chances but did well to save seven of those. But against a more accomplished player and returner like Hubert Hurkacz, he might pay the price.

Hubert Hurkacz had a bye in the first round, so he will play his first match at the 2024 Italian Open on Saturday. The big-serving Pole's stay on clay has been productive. At the start of April, he won his maiden ATP title on the surface in Estoril. Hurkacz has since reached the round of 16 in Monte Carlo and Madrid, losing to Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz, respectively. 

Rafael Nadal vs Hubert Hurkacz Head-To-Head

• Nadal and Hurkacz have never played each other at any level.

• Nadal is 5-2 on clay in 2024 but is a 10-time champion in Rome.

• Hurkacz is 8-2 on clay in 2024 and won his first ATP title on clay in Estoril.

Rafael Nadal vs Hubert Hurkacz Predcition

Nadal comes into this contest as the slight favorite. We cannot forget that he has played just ten matches all season. Hurkacz, by contrast, has played 33 matches so far and is an ATP champion on clay, having won in Estoril last month. Physically, this could be a steep challenge for Nadal, but he has always over-delivered when expectations are at their lowest. While this remains the Pole's least favorite surface, he is still tough to put away because of how effective his serve is. Nobody on the ATP Tour right now has the numbers to match those of Hurkacz on serve. It might just be the shot that weathers Nadal's sustained pressure.

 

Nur’s Pick Hubert Hurkacz in three sets

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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