Rafael Nadal vs Karen Khachanov Tennis Prediction

Rafael Nadal won both their previous meetings in straight sets which was contested on the hard courts of Beijing (2017) and grass courts of Wimbledon (2017). Playing on the clay courts of Monte Carlo, where Rafael Nadal has got an incredible record, makes the Next Gen Star’s job even difficult this time around.

Rafael Nadal News

The ten-times Monte Carlo champion Rafael Nadal kickstarted his 15th Monte Carlo campaign with a comfortable straight sets win over Aljaz Bedene, 6-1 6-3.
It was his first match on tour since retiring from his quarterfinal match at the Australian Open earlier this season. He made his comeback in the Davis Cup Group One quarterfinal tie (on clay) a few weeks back, where he secured two straight set wins over Alexander Zverev and Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The Spaniard has now won 27 matches on clay in the last 15 months with the only defeat coming against Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinal of Rome Masters 2017.
Apart from losing the round of 16 match to Guillermo Coria in Monte Carlo 2003 (debut appearance), he has reached at least the quarterfinal in all other visits (14).

Karen Khachanov News

Playing his first clay tournament of the season, Karen Khachanov recorded two impressive straight set wins over Thanasi Kokkinakis and Gilles Simon to move into the round of 16 at Monte Carlo for the very first time.
The Russian’s only previous round of 16 match at this level (Masters 1000) ended in a three-set defeat against Yuichi Sugita in Cincinnati 2017.
This is the first-time Khachanov has managed to win consecutive matches since lifting his second tour title at Marseille in February.

Tennis Prediction: Rafael Nadal 2-0 SET
Odds: 1.33