BRISBANE, Australia - Prepare for fireworks in the Queensland sun! After nearly a year on the sidelines due to injury, Rafael Nadal faces a baptism by fire in his ATP Tour return.
His first dance partner? None other than former US Open champion Dominic Thiem, in a blockbuster first-round clash at the Brisbane International.
Thiem, who once reigned as world No. 3 and pushed Nadal to the limit in two French Open finals, clawed his way into the main draw through two grueling qualifying matches. Like Nadal, the Austrian warrior has battled back from his own injury woes, tumbling to 352nd in the rankings in 2022 before climbing back to 98th.
Their on-court rivalry? A tapestry of 15 battles, with Nadal holding a 9-6 edge. But Thiem has emerged victorious in their most recent clashes, claiming wins at the 2020 ATP Finals and Australian Open.
This Tuesday's showdown promises sparks. Can Nadal rewrite the recent script and roar back with all his trademark ferocity? Or will Thiem continue his resurgence and upset the returning king? One thing's for sure: their first-round encounter is a must-watch, a clash of titans that sets the stage for a thrilling tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment