Rafael Nadal vs Jiri Lehecka Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Mutua Madrid Open

Prediction published on 30/04/2024, 06:20  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 30/04/2024 at 07:55 in ATP Mutua Madrid Open Prediction

Rafael Nadal takes on 30th seeded Jiri Lehecka for a place in the last eight of the Madrid Masters. The winner of this match will face the third seed Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals. Nadal has shown in this outdoor clay court tournament that he is still competitive. He's had three wins so far with success over Darwin Blanch (losing just one game), 10th seeded Alex de Minaur (who beat him in Barcelona) and in the last round, Pedro Cachin. He had a tough match against Cachin, though that didn't look to be the case when winning the first set for the loss of only one game. Cachin won the second on a tie-break but Nadal battled back well to win the match.  Nadal will be glad to get as many matches under his belt as he continues his comeback after a series of injuries. This is his first match against Jiri Lehecka.

Lehecka was ranked 31st in the latest list. His run to the last sixteen in Madrid has taken him up to 27th in the live rankings. He's 22nd in the ATP Live Race and a win over Nadal can take him to 20th. Lehecka is playing the Madrid Masters for only the second time in his career. His other appearance was in 2023 when being knocked out in the second round. He hadn't played on clay before this tournament but has made a strong seasonal debut. He's played Hamad Medjedovic and Thiago Monteiro (both qualifiers) and not dropped a set yet. This is a lot tougher and we tip Nadal to get the win.