Madrid Open 2022: 3 things that might determine the outcome of Rafael Nadal's QF clash with Carlos Alcaraz
Third seed and five-time champion Rafael Nadal will face fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Friday.
Nadal beat David Goffin in a grueling three-setter on Thursday while Alcaraz got the better of Cameron Norrie.
Friday's match is being billed as a battle between two generations, with Alcaraz the most promising youngster in world tennis and Nadal among the greatest to have ever played the game. The 19-year-old is yet to win against Nadal, who leads their head-to-head 2-0.
Rafael Nadal 
Carlos Alcaraz 
🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal 🆚 Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸
🇪🇸 Carlos Alcaraz 🆚 Rafael Nadal 🇪🇸
Este viernes hay una plaza en semifinales en juego en el #MMOPEN (N.B. 4.00 pm)
🎟️ SOLD OUT https://t.co/of7sw6ipMH
On that note, let's take a look at three crucial factors that might determine the fate of Friday's blockbuster quarterfinal.
#1 Carlos Alcaraz’s ability to hit through Rafael Nadal with his fierce groundstrokes
Carlos Alcaraz is one of the most hardest strikers of the ball and can generate tremendous power from the baseline. He can hit winners off both wings, which will boost his chances against Rafael Nadal on the faster clay in Madrid.
The relatively fast conditions in Madrid will provide a slight edge to Alcaraz in the baseline exchanges. If Rafael Nadal is to win on Friday, he will have to defend really well, which he usually does anyway.
#2 Drop shots
Nadal used the drop shot sparingly in the match against Goffin before the tie-break in the final set, which saw him unleash it twice to save match points. Although Alcaraz is supremely quick, Nadal should try and test his court coverage by playing the drop shot more often on Friday.
The 19-year-old is a great exponent of the drop shot himself and has the ability to play it from anywhere on the court. So Nadal might find himself rushing to the net frequently in the quarterfinals.
#3 Rafael Nadal’s forehand
Nadal will definitely look to use his crosscourt forehand, containing a great amount of top spin, to drag Alcaraz out of the court. He could then look to pull the trigger with his trademark down-the-line forehand.
The tactic worked to a great extent against Goffin on Thursday and Nadal should employ it as often as he can against Alcaraz. The Spaniard cannot afford to be passive in his approach against Alcaraz as the 19-year-old feasts on short and slow-paced shots.
Another area that Nadal should look to target is Alcaraz's weak second serve. Norrie got as many as eight break-point opportunities by targetting the Spaniard's second serve and Nadal, who is a much better returner than the Brit, will fancy his chances as well.