Direct tennis Nadal – Goffin: “King of clay” waiting to pay the debt of 2 years (3rd round of Madrid Open)

(Tennis live, Rafael Nadal – David Goffin, 9pm, 5/5) Rafael Nadal is desperate to repay the debt he borrowed from Belgian rival David Goffin more than 2 years ago when “Gaur” failed shockingly in the ATP Cup. 2020.

Video Rafael Nadal overcome Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening match at this year’s Madrid Open:

Nadal dreams of revenge after 2 years

Rafael Nadal has a record of 4 wins and 2 losses in 6 meetings with David Goffin. 4 times the former world No. 1 defeated the opponent all on clay.

However, the last time they faced each other more than 2 years ago, on January 10, 2020, in the framework of the singles match of the ATP Cup men’s team cup quarterfinals when Spain played against Belgium, Nadal lost to Goffin after 2 sets with the score 4-6, 6-7 (3).

“Gaur” Rafa also failed another time, also on hard courts, against this opponent in the group stage of the 2017 ATP Cup with the score of 6-7, 7-6 (4), 4-6.

David Goffin once defeated Rafael Nadal in the last encounter between them in the quarterfinals of the ATP Cup 2020

Reuniting with Goffin after more than 2 years, “King of clay” Nadal can avenge to continue his dream of winning the 6th Madrid Open and leveling the record of 37 titles. ATP Masters 1000 like a great rival Novak Djokovic.

Goffin made significant progress in the clay season

David Goffin once won the ATP Finals 2017 runner-up. In the same season, this Belgian tennis player climbed to No. 7 in the world, the highest position of his career. Although currently ranked 60th in the world, Goffin is having a good clay-court season in 2022 as the 31-year-old has reached the final of Marrakech and entered the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Confronting Nadal, who has just recovered from a fractured rib injury after being out of action for 6 weeks, Goffin still has more or less opportunities to surprise the Spaniard 3rd seed at Manolo Santana tonight.