H2H: Denis Shapovalov vs. Rafael Nadal - Prediction (ATP Paris

Preview and players comparison.

Rafael Nadal leveled the H2H series with a dominant win in Rome Masters last year (6-4 6-1), and he is favored to deliver a similar result in Paris this Saturday. However, it’s not going to be an easy outing for the Spaniard as the Canadian has produced some solid results on indoor hardcourts in recent weeks.

Rafael Nadal maintains his perfect record in this edition of Paris Masters after completing a straight-set win over a tough opponent in Jo Wilfried Tsonga on Friday, 7-6 6-1. The Spaniard is yet to lose a set this week, and in fact, he hasn’t even dropped his serve in three matches. World #2 Rafael Nadal will return to the top of ATP World Rankings next Monday, and he needs two more wins in Paris this week to secure the year-end #1 ranking. The last time he finished a season as the year-end #1 was in 2017 when he was forced to pull out of his quarterfinal clash in Paris Masters. However, it’s not going to be easy for Rafael Nadal considering he last won an indoor hardcourt title in Madrid Masters way back in 2005 and never won the Paris Masters title in seven appearances.

Rafael Nadal’s best result in Paris Masters was finishing as the runner-up once in 2007 (main draw debut). Since then, he has played two semifinal matches in this French indoor hardcourt tournament and lost both of those matches against Novak Djokovic in 2009 and David Ferrer in 2013. Regardless of his mediocre results on indoor hardcourt, Rafael Nadal would be quite confident ahead of this clash as he is currently on a 16-match winning streak on tour and unbeaten in 11 matches against left-handed opponents (5-0 in 2019).

Denis Shapovalov denied Gael Monfils a spot in the ATP World Tour Finals to reach the semifinal of Paris Masters for the first time in three appearances, 6-2 6-2. This result guarantees the Canadian a place inside the top 20 of ATP World Rankings. The 20-year-old Denis Shapovalov become the youngest player since Novak Djokovic in 2007 to reach the semifinal in four different Masters 1000 events. Shapovalov announced himself at the big stage by progressing to the semifinal of Montreal Masters in 2017, where he stunned Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 — the Spaniard’s last defeat against a lefty. World #28 Denis Shapovalov recently ended his six-match losing streak in the semifinal of ATP Tour events and lifted the maiden tour title of his career in Stockholm (IH) a couple of weeks ago.