2022 Indian Wells QF: Rafael Nadal [4] vs Nick Kyrgios [WC]

Who wins?

  • Total voters
    105
Jokervich

Jokervich

Hall of Fame
Well this is it. The blockbuster match that looked almost impossible to happen at the beginning of the tournament, is about to happen. Kyrgios not dropped a set so far and got a walkover last round. Nadal looking far from his best, but has still managed to get to this point. There is no love lost between these two. Kyrgios said he wanted to hit Nadal "square in the chest" a couple of years ago at Wimbledon. I'm guessing Kyrgios will be determined to end Nadal's unbeaten streak for the year. It would be funny if he was the one who ended it.

H2H is 5-3 in favor of Nadal. First time they've met at Indian Wells. Who do you think wins? Poll included.
 
Rafa did pretty well to snipe opelka in two. He can play a lot better. Haven't seen Nick since Medvedev match at AO but you know he'll be at his best for this.
 
Oh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeahOh yeah
 
Last time they played at the AO a couple of years ago Nick lost in 4 hard fought sets. There was quite a degree of mutual respect between the two and Rafa had some nice things to say about Nick following the encounter. Should be a great match.
 
Definitely worried about this one, NK is the last guy I'd want to end Rafa's streak. Gonna hope Rafa comes prepared and delivers
 
If it was a slam match, Nadal would 99.9% chance be the winner but in b03 Kyrgios has a shot at playing spoiler. I'll say Rafa in 3 though
 
This match will be a riot to watch! Kyrgios will turn on the Kygrios emotional charm of anger, craziness and zaniness when Rafa is the opponent! Lots of spectators madness too! o_O :eek:
 
Nick will get a set imo. 3rd will be a toss up.

Not sure how Nadal's stamina will hold up, but he will win this if he can play average tennis.
 
Kralingen said:
Nick will get a set imo. 3rd will be a toss up.

Not sure how Nadal's stamina will hold up, but he will win this if he can play average tennis.
Click to expand...
Nadal's in a lot better shape than Krygios, that's for sure.
Man vs. Mouse.
 
Jokervich said:
Well this is it. The blockbuster match that looked almost impossible to happen at the beginning of the tournament, is about to happen. Kyrgios not dropped a set so far and got a walkover last round. Nadal looking far from his best, but has still managed to get to this point. There is no love lost between these two. Kyrgios said he wanted to hit Nadal "square in the chest" a couple of years ago at Wimbledon. I'm guessing Kyrgios will be determined to end Nadal's unbeaten streak for the year. It would be funny if he was the one who ended it.

H2H is 5-3 in favor of Nadal. First time they've met at Indian Wells. Who do you think wins? Poll included.
Click to expand...
Their relationship has become much warmer since AO '20. Nick will surely be very competitive given a walkover from Sinner and it's Nadal who will be in front of him, but not because of the supposed hatred between them right now.

About the match, I think tomorrow could be Rafa's first loss this year. Nick seems to be in very good form and very motivated, and has one more rest day. Rafa's form OTOH hasn't been spectacular so far.
 
Nadal has won 4 consecutive tiebreakers vs. Krygios (2 at Wimbledon 2019, 2 at AO 2020).
 
@christophclarey
LA Times columnist
@helenenothelen
asks #Nadal if he was playing in pain today. He says he does not want to lie and says that he was and that the foot has been troubling him more the last couple of days but wants to get through this last hardcourt tournament before clay season
 
Kralingen said:
Nick will get a set imo. 3rd will be a toss up.

Not sure how Nadal's stamina :-D will hold up, but he will win this if he can play average tennis.
Click to expand...
Rafa is the king of clay; some match go 5+ hours! The 2022 AO finals was very close to the 5 hour mark! You be hard press to find many ATP Tour tennis players that can be as fit as Rafa is! His nickname by his fellow players is: "The Beast!"
 
dapchai said:
Their relationship has become much warmer since AO '20. Nick will surely be very competitive given a walkover from Sinner and it's Nadal who will be in front of him, but not because of the supposed hatred between them right now.

About the match, I think tomorrow could be Rafa's first loss this year. Nick seems to be in very good form and very motivated, and has one more rest day. Rafa's form OTOH hasn't been spectacular so far.
Click to expand...
What specifically happened to make it warmer since AO 2020?
 
Jokervich said:
What specifically happened to make it warmer since AO 2020?
Click to expand...
Maybe because Rafa defeated Nick fair and square in front of the Aussie crowd. Nick sounded much more respectful in the post match press conference than in WC '19. And IIRC no dig at Rafa on Twitter since then.
 
dapchai said:
Maybe because Rafa defeated Nick fair and square in front of the Aussie crowd. Nick sounded much more respectful in the post match press conference than in WC '19. And IIRC no dig at Rafa on Twitter since then.
Click to expand...

Kyrgios since AO '19 and Srdjan since USO '13 have not said anything bad against Nadal. Have been respectful. IIRC.
 
Last edited:
TennisFan3 said:
Nadal should tank, protect his foot, go home and rest up till clay.
No one cares about mickey mouse tournaments.
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Rafa will never tank. If he feels issues in his foot he may give a walkover. But if he steps on the court, he will give his best.

I think people are making too much of his foot issues, saying he is wasting energy playing IW and should rest for clay season.

Remember that is what he did last year. He skipped the hard court season and then had to overplay the clay season to find form and in the end fell short. He is trying to pace himself better this season and will most likely skip 1-2 clay tournaments depending on how his game progresses in clay.

Regarding the risk of him injuring himself, that risk is there with playing less as well. Both overplaying and underplaying pose injury risks and finding the right balance is very tricky. Probably Rafa and his team knows the best in this regard.
 
Give me another Acapulco style epic.

I’ll be watching March Madness all day tomorrow and this is the only match that can grab my attention. Hope they deliver.
 
Kralingen said:
Give me another Acapulco style epic.

I’ll be watching March Madness all day tomorrow and this is the only match that can grab my attention. Hope they deliver.
Click to expand...

Will Rafa say "no no no" and demand replay when Nick serves aces?
Will Nick administer a few disrespectful underarm serves?
Will Rafa shake Nick's hand if he (Nick) wins?
Will Nick be rude on social media or will he lose and then brag about how great Rafa is?

Excite! :whistle:
 
Jokervich said:
Well this is it. The blockbuster match that looked almost impossible to happen at the beginning of the tournament, is about to happen. Kyrgios not dropped a set so far and got a walkover last round. Nadal looking far from his best, but has still managed to get to this point. There is no love lost between these two. Kyrgios said he wanted to hit Nadal "square in the chest" a couple of years ago at Wimbledon. I'm guessing Kyrgios will be determined to end Nadal's unbeaten streak for the year. It would be funny if he was the one who ended it.

H2H is 5-3 in favor of Nadal. First time they've met at Indian Wells. Who do you think wins? Poll included.
Click to expand...
Nadal 2-0. Court is just way too heavy for Kyrgios to do any sort of damage to Nadal
 
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