Rafael Nadal vs Denis Shapovalov Tennis Prediction

Though they have met only once, Denis Shapovalov is one of the very few players to have a positive H2H record against Rafael Nadal on tour (1-0). During his breakthrough week in Montreal 2017, the Canadian teenager put in a sensational performance to knock out Rafael Nadal in three sets in the round of 16 encounter (3-6 6-4 7-6). Here is Nadal’s chance at the same stage (R16) at the same level (Masters 1000) to exact the revenge.

Denis Shapovalov News

Denis Shapovalov continued his good run by defeating Robin Haase in a marathon three-set match that was concluded in two hours and 30 minutes, 7-6 6-7 6-3. It was the Canadian teenager’s second three-set win of the week having previously fought back from a set down against the former world #4 Tomas Berdych in the first round, 1-6 6-3 7-5.
These are two impressive performances from Denis Shapovalov, who registered his career-best result in a clay tour-level event by progressing to the semifinal of Madrid Masters last week.
In fact, his win against Tennys Sandgren in the first round of Madrid Masters last week was his maiden win in a tour-level clay tournament. He played four matches on dirt in 2017 but could not win any of them (0/4).
Currently sitting in his career-high position of #29, Denis Shapovalov has notched up 17 wins so far in 2018 from the possible 28, which includes two semifinal appearances at Delray Beach and Madrid Masters.

Rafael Nadal News

Rafael Nadal made a flying start to his 14th Rome campaign by producing an ultra-dominant performance against Damir Dzumhur, 6-1 6-0.
It was the fourth time Rafael Nadal has bageled his opponents since the start of 2018 European clay swing, having previously delivered 6-0 sets against Martin Klizan, David Goffin, and Dominic Thiem.
An aggressive performance from the Spaniard was always on the cards considering he suffered a disappointing quarterfinal defeat in his title defense campaign at Madrid last week. That defeat handed him his first loss on clay this season and ended his 14-match winning streak in 2018 as well as his 21-match winning streak on clay.
World #2 Rafael Nadal (replaced by Federer as the #1 after failing to defend the Madrid title) has never lost an R16 match here at Rome in his previous 13 appearances. However, the seven-time champion of Rome could only make the quarterfinal in his recent three visits, in 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Tennis Prediction: Under 18.5 Games
Odds: 1.63