Nadal will be back in action for the first time since falling in an epic five-setter to Gilles Simon in the round of 16 of Wimbledon. It was a rare defeat for the World No. 2, who is having another vintage season at age 31. The Spanish superstar is 46-7 on the year, including 19-5 on hard court.
It’s pretty surprising to realize that despite that strong record, Nadal has yet to win a single tournament on the surface this season. All four of his titles this season have come on his much-favored clay court.
However, Nadal had the misfortune of meeting old foe Roger Federer on the hard court on three occasions – in the finals of the Australian Open and the Miami Masters as well as the round of 16 at Indian Wells – and losing all three times. He also suffered a shock straight-sets defeat to Sam Querrey in the final in Acapulco.
But given his current form this season, it’s hard to see Nadal crashing out in his very first match in the tournament. He’s won at least two matches in every single event he’s entered this season.
Coric has had a rough last couple of months. He’d crashed out in the first or second round in seven of his previous eight tournaments prior to the Canadian Masters. However, the 20-year-old looked pretty good in his straight-sets demolition of veteran Mikhail Youzhny.
The Croatian’s service game was on point against Youzhny as he put 66 percent of first serves in play, won 73 percent of those first serve points, and 65 percent of second serves as well.
Coric wasn’t great on the hard court earlier in the season, as he went just 5-6 on the surface. However, he did land another high-profile win over World No. 7 Dominic Thiem at the Miami Masters.
Coric already owns five wins over top-10-ranked opposition in his young career, two of which have come in three meetings against the great Nadal. He sent the Spaniard home early in last year’s Cincinnati Masters, and also beat him in Basel back in 2014. Both of those wins were in straight sets, too, so Coric should be no means be underestimated.
Writer’s Prediction
Nadal (-650) avoids another upset to Coric as he beats the Croatian in straight sets.
