Expect fireworks as Fognini challenges Nadal | 2021 Australian Open

Expect fireworks as Fognini challenges Nadal | 2021 Australian Open

This is one of those Australian Open fixtures that has real history behind it as Rafael Nadal meets Fabio Fognini for the 17th time.

Nadal is leading at 12-4 in the head-to-head record over the hot-headed Italian.

The way that Fognini has found his form in 2021 is quite amazing seeing as he started the season off with aa easy defeat to then world number 100 Dennis Novak at the ATP Cup.

The 33-year-old Italian has beaten Nadal three times in 2015 to amp up his track record against the number two seed but ever since his epic five-set win in the 3rd round of the US Open that season it seems Nadal had turned the wind in his favour.

Nevertheless, the way that Fognini has progressed here in Melbourne indicates he can make life difficult for Rafa.

Whilst Nadal is yet to be really tested at the 2021 Australian Open this is only his 4th match and will certainly be his stiffest challenge of the tournament.

It is expected that both players to take a set a piece and then the real game will play out.

Nadal is the favourite in this game and some forecasters believe that he will be able to storm through this one in three straight sets.

This is a must-watch match between Fognini’s remarkable accuracy and Nadal’s illustrious everything else.

Whatever the outcome fans can expect some real fireworks within the game.