Australian Open 2021 – Fabio Fognini ‘knows he can beat Rafael Nadal’, says Tim Henman

Fabio Fognini’s previous victories over Rafael Nadal will come in handy when the two clash in the fourth round of the Australian Open on Monday, according to Tim Henman, expert on Eurosport.

The Italian team Nadal with 12-4 in their head-to-head series, but won their last match at a Grand Slam, although six years ago at the American Open.

Fognini’s run-up to the second week was made memorable by a surprising argument in court with compatriot Salvatore Caruso, with the 33-year-old inciting his opponent by calling him ‘f *** ing lucky’ after making a fifth set was tied – breaker in the second round.

And Henman believes only a fully focused Fognini will have any hope of upsetting Nadal, who will drop another set at Melbourne Park.

“They’ve played quite a few times already. Fognini beat him on clay, and also on hard courts at the US Open when he came back from two sets to win in five,” Henman said.

‘It’s psychologically very important that he achieves those victories. He knows he can beat Nadal.

“He’s going to have to be very focused, we know Fognini can be very volatile. He’s going to have to serve a high percentage and make sure he gets to the rallies really early so Rafa can ‘t dictate too. A lot with that big look. . ‘

Nadal is aiming to win a 21st Grand Slam title for men in Australia and will be plagued by Novak Djokovic’s injury problems and Dominic Thiem’s ​​early retirement.

The Spaniard has won the tournament only once, in 2009, while Fognini has never progressed beyond the fourth round – although in 2015 he won the men’s doubles.

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