Rafael Nadal handed intriguing Barcelona draw – with potential round 2 clash against top 10 opponent
Rafael Nadal has discovered who he will face in the opening round of the Barcelona Open next week – should the Spaniard ultimately decide to play the ATP 500 event.
Doubts have swirled over Nadal’s future this season, with just one tournament – the Brisbane International – under his belt in 2024.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was forced to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters, which is taking place this week, though there has been rising optimism that a return is nearing.
Nadal revealed in a social media post earlier this week that he was training in Barcelona and would attempt to play if possible.
And, earlier on Saturday, footage emerged of Nadal – a 12-time champion in Barcelona – reportedly winning a practice set 6-1 against world No 6 Andrey Rublev, the second seed at the event.
Read More: Rafael Nadal ‘hammers’ Andrey Rublev in new video that fuels comeback hopes
The 37-year-old refused to commit entirely during Saturday’s draw ceremony as to whether he would play or not, but he now knows he will face Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday if he is fit.
Rising star Cobolli is currently just one spot off his career-high ranking of 62nd, with the 21-year-old Italian holding a 9-8 win-loss record for 2024.
¡Y el primer rival de @RafaelNadal!
Nadal vs Cobolli@atptour | @ATPTour_ES | #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/1xRix8Y3tD
— Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (@bcnopenbs) April 13, 2024
However, should he play and win that match, a tougher test could await for Nadal in the second round against fourth seed and world No 10 Alex de Minaur.
Currently in the form of his life, Australian de Minaur is not known as a natural clay courter, but will head into Barcelona off the back of a confidence-boosting run to the last eight in Monte Carlo.
16th seed Arthur Fils could await in the third round, with sixth seed Ugo Humbert or 11th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina among the likely quarter-final opponents for Nadal or de Minaur.
Elsewhere, Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed in the singles draw, and will look to claim a third straight title at the event after his own Monte Carlo withdrawal.
The world No 3 will face either Luca Van Assche or Zhizhen Zhang in his opener – if he plays – with all of the top eight benefitting from a round one bye.
A third round against 15th seed Borna Coric could await for Alcaraz, with a quarter-final against fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas – who he beat in the final last year – projected on paper.
Second seed Rublev will start his campaign against Dan Evans or Brandon Nakashima, while third seed Casper Ruud is set to face Alexandre Muller or Albert Ramos Vinolas.
