Top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal will start his quest for a third Australian Open title against British lefty Jack Draper. Should Rafa advance, he could potentially face either Brandon Nakashima or Mackenzie McDonald in the second round.
Rafa’s projected seeded opponents would be No. 31 seed Yoshihito Nishioka in the third round, No. 16 seed Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round, No. 7 seed Daniil Medvedev in the quarters and No. 3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semis.
Projected quarter-finals:
- Rafa Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev
- Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Novak Djokovic v Andrey Rublev
- Casper Ruud v Taylor Fritz
Rafa’s projected Australian Open path:
- First round: Jack Draper
- Second round: Brandon Nakashima / Mackenzie McDonald
- Third round: [31] Yoshihito Nishioka
- Fourth round: [17] Frances Tiafoe / [18] Karen Khachanov
- Quarter-final: [7] Daniil Medvedev / [10] Hurbert Hurkacz
- Semifinal: [3] Stefanos Tsitsipas / [6] Felix Auger-Aliassime
- Final: [4] Novak Djokovic / [2] Casper Ruud / [8] Taylor Fritz.
Rafa is bidding to clinch a 23rd Grand Slam title of his career and his third in Melbourne.
All the best of luck in the world to you, Rafa! VAMOS!
This is a very tough draw….
Rafa is the defeding champion and should go into this match agsinst Draper playing confidently and very aggressive tennis . I don’t want Draper thinking even for a second that he can win this match by taking it to Rafa . I think Rafa will be up to the challenge and this win will propel even more wins and better play . Physicaly fit and healthy counts for everything .
I believe in Rafa! I know Rafa can win on Monday and keep on winning. Of course, it is a marathon and not a sprint, so one match at a time. Vamos!
Rafa will win win win and more!
I have tremendous belief in Rafa. 😃
AO website has Nadal v. Draper at 930 pm local Monday.
Thanks for the update.
No, it’s third on rod laver arena in the Monday day session, and it is at 9:30 pm central standard time in the USA. That means I get to watch Rafa play Sunday night in the USA! Vamos, Rafa!
I sense that Draper will be more nervous than Rafa. Rafa is draper’s idol after all, according to several tennis articles.
I believe Rafa plays Draper on Monday at 14:30 Hours Melbourne Time which is 03:30 Hours GMT and 22:30 Hours (Sunday) New York Time.
I believe in Rafa’s talent and drive! He will win .So excited to watch him play!
Stay strong and healthy Rafa!!
Draper lost to kwon in the 250 event today in Adelaide in 3 sets. The news of playing Rafa got him nervous, excited, and distracted!
Why do I say that? Draper crushed Kwon the week before losing only 3 games.
Also Draper expressed hope that he could do well against Rafa. Not sure he really believes it yet.
Conclusion: Rafa will win against Draper in round 1 of Australian open, for sure. Draper is still learning and growing as a tennis player and person.
Vamos, Rafa! 🎾💪🍀❤️☀️🏆🏅