Rafael Nadal: Spanish star makes Davis Cup prediction
RAFAEL NADAL says he is expecting a “tough battle” when he faces Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the Davis Cup.
Nadal: It will be a tough match against Kohlschreiber
Nadal will make his return to tennis on Friday after over two months out with a hip problem.
And his first match will be against Kohlschreiber in the second singles match.
In their 15 meetings, Nadal has beaten Kohlschreiber on 14 occasions, the last coming at the Miami Open in 2017.
While Kohlschreiber’s only win came in 2012 on the grass in Halle.
But despite a convincing head-to-head record, Nadal says he will need to be at his best to beat Kohlschreiber.
Rafael Nadal beat Philipp Kohlschreiber in their last meeting in 2017
Philipp Kohlschreiber plays very well on all surfaces so it will be a tough battle
He told reporters: “Yeah, a tough one. We know each other very well.
“He plays very well on all surfaces so it will be a tough battle.
“I need to be playing very well to try to be successful.
“I think I am playing well but always competition changes, so let’s see.”
Rafael Nadal last played at the Australian Open in January
Nadal also admitted that playing a five-set match is a risk after so long out.
He said: “No, probably will be better to come back in the best of three sets, not best of five sets.
“After a long period of time without playing, coming back and playing best of five is always a little bit tougher and a little bit more risky.
“But I feel that I did the right things, the right recovery, the practice during the last week [has gone] well so I hope to be ready for it.”