Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal vs Adrian Mannarino preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (6) Rafael Nadal vs Adrian Mannarino
Date: 23 January 2022
Tournament: Australian Open 2022
Round: Fourth round (Round of 16)
Venue: Melbourne, Australia
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $75,000,000
Match timing: Not before 2 pm local time, 3 am GMT, 8.30 am IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport | India - Sony Six, Sony Liv
Rafael Nadal vs Adrian Mannarino preview
Sixth seed Rafael Nadal will continue his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title when he takes on Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round of the 2022 Australian Open on Sunday.
Nadal moved one step closer to a second Australian Open crown with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over 28th seed Karen Khachanov in the third round.
The Spaniard played well in the first two sets, with his signature forehand firing on all cylinders. His intensity dropped a little in the third set and Khachanov capitalized. However, Nadal bounced back strongly in the fourth to win the match.
@RafaelNadal defeats Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 to advance to the fourth round at the #AusOpen for the 15th time.The dream is still alive ✨
🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal defeats Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 to advance to the fourth round at the #AusOpen for the 15th time.
#AO2022 https://t.co/MRVpuFm5JM
Adrian Mannarino, meanwhile, defeated last year's semifinalist Aslan Karatsev 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4 in a match that lasted more than four hours. The Russian had already spent more than seven hours on court this week, so it was not a big surprise that he ran out of gas against Mannarino, although he did keep fighting till the end.
2:33 a.m., finish line crossed 🏁
It’s a first #AusOpen fourth round for @AdrianMannarino as he surprises No.18 seed Karastev 7-6(4) 6-7(4) 7-5 6-4
#AO2022 https://t.co/NYSFCQEcLd
The Frenchman, who upset 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz in the second round, will be competing in the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career.
Mannarino entered the tournament on the back of two consecutive first-round losses and has done brilliantly to turn his season around.
Rafael Nadal vs Adrian Mannarino head-to-head
The two have faced off twice before, with Nadal leading 2-0 in the head-to-head. He won their previous encounter 7-5, 6-4 at the 2019 Paris Masters.
Rafael Nadal vs Adrian Mannarino prediction
Nadal will enter this contest as the firm favorite, especially considering the fact that Mannarino might be a little fatigued following his exploits against Karatsev.
Mannarino went 5/24 on break points in his third-round match. He is unlikely to create that many opportunities against Nadal and will thus need to be extremely efficient.
Nadal, on his part, will look to continue playing the way he has so far. His heavy top-spin forehand has tormented his opponents at Melbourne Park this week, and he is likely to target Mannarino's forehand, which is not the greatest of shots.
The Spaniard should be able to come through without breaking a sweat.
Prediction: Rafael Nadal to win in straight sets.
Also check out: Australian Open 2022 Schedule of Play