How Did Andrey Rublev Breach Rafael Nadal’s Fortress at Monte Carlo Masters 2021

World No.3 Rafael Nadal suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Andrey Rublev at the Monte Carlo Masters 2021. Rafa won just 10 games in the whole match as compared to Rublev’s 16. Even though he fought hard, Rublev was simply the better player. The final scoreline of the match was 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

Experts have analyzed the match and come up with the stats that led to the loss of Rafael Nadal. The King of Clay didn’t look in great form throughout the match, and the reason is quite simple.

Rafa is a player who loves to play more and more forehand shots. He even likes to offer forehands when the ball is actually on his right instead of using his backhand. However, Andrey Rublev targeted his backhand throughout the match.

Rafa was only able to offer his forehand on 46% of his shots. The picture becomes more clear when one comes to know that the percentage of his forehands was about 63% in his two previous matches at the Monte Carlo Masters 2021.

Rublev’s plan clearly worked as he was able to make Rafa play more with his backhand. Although he lost the second set, he stuck by his strategy and exploited Rafa’s weakness. In the post-match interview, Rafa too admitted that he didn’t hit his backhand too well.

The Baseline Battle- Another area where Andrey Rublev defeated Rafael Nadal

Another intriguing stat that emerged after the match is the percentage of forehands hit from behind the baseline. While Rublev hit just 10% of his forehands from deep in the court- about two meters behind the baseline, Rafa hit about 29% of his forehands from that position.

Clearly, it is difficult to hit forehands from the baseline and Rublev was again successful in keeping Rafa back. Excluding this, the Spaniard committed seven double faults, which also became a factor of his terrible loss.

Andrey Rublev managed to get past Casper Ruud in the semis. He’ll now face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the finals of the Monte Carlo Masters 2021. Will the Russian be able to win his first Masters in Monte Carlo this year?

Also Read: “It’s Big News”: Rafael Nadal Says a Lot is Made Out of his, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic’s Losses