Rafael Nadal vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - Quarterfinals - Paris Masters - Preview and Prediction

World number 2, Rafael Nadal takes on number 35, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a terrific clash tonight at the Paris Masters.

Key Insights

• Nadal leads the head to head record 9-4 against Tsonga
• Nadal has not dropped a set yet in this tournament
• Tsonga has a 19-5 win-loss record on indoor hard-courts this season
• Both Nadal and Tsonga won two hard-court titles each this year
• Nadal is on a 14-match winning streak
• Nadal needs to win the title to grab the year-end number 1 ranking

It has been a good start for the 19-time grand slam champion.  Though he won against Adrian Mannarino and Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the round of 32 and 16 respectively, the Spaniard had to play the waiting game. 

Street-smart net-play and high break-point conversion have been the strengths of Nadal.

On the other hand, the Frenchman has been in fantastic form so far. Backed by a boisterous crowd, he has made brilliant comebacks. After losing the first set, 4-6, against world number 22, Andrey Rublev in the round of 64, he fought hard winning the next two sets 6-4 7-6.

In the round of 32, Tsonga came out firing on all cylinders, defeating the in-form Matteo Berrettini in straight sets.

Nervous moments mixed with high-level entertainment was assured in the pre-quarterfinals as Tsonga saved two match-points to beat number 36, Jan-Lennard Struff 2-6 6-4 7-6.

I need to play my best,  be focused with myself, play aggressive from the baseline. So I need to do a lot of things well, but I hope to be ready to make that happen." said Rafa ahead of a tough match against Tsonga.

"When you play Rafa in the first round, it's a problem. If you play Rafa in the quarterfinals, it's normal. That's part and parcel of the unrolling of a tournament. Of course, it's better for me to meet Rafa in quarterfinals after having played a few matches rather than during the first round." opined Tsonga unfazed by the Nadal.

Prediction - Rafael Nadal to win in three sets

Cover Image Credits - Getty Images