Match: Rafael Nadal v Alexander Zverev
Date: 21 January, Saturday
Time: 10:30am SGT/8am IST/2:30am GMT
Competition: Australian Open 2017
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park
TV Channel: In Singapore, Fox Sports will provide live TV coverage of the match.
Live Streaming: The match can be watched live online at AO TV Live, Watch ESPN, Tennis Channel Live
Live scores can be found on the tournament's official website.
Overview
Rafael Nadal made light work of former finalist Marcos Baghdatis in their second round clash at the Melbourne Park on Thursday in straight sets - 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
The ninth seed is looking comfortable and confident as well after disposing off his opponents with ease in the previous two rounds. However, the 2009 champion will face his first big test on return from injury when he takes on world number 24 Alexander Zverev in the third round clash on Saturday.
The 19-year-old German player is fresh from his Hopman Cup stint, in which he defeated Roger Federer in a three-setter earlier this month. The tall, lanky right-hander was trialing 5-3 in the first before he claimed a 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 win. Notably, he holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over the 17-time Grand Slam winner as he defeated the Swiss in semi-final of Gerry Weber Open last year.
Also, Zverev is the only teenager in the top 25 of ATP rankings and the rising German star claimed his first title in 2016 - St Petersburg Open - by beating world number three Stanislas Wawrinka in the final.
In Melbourne this year, he survived a marathon five-setter against Dutch player Robin Haase on Tuesday before outclassing American teenager Frances Tiafoe in straight sets in the second round. And Nadal knows the task in hand as he prepares for the clash against Zverev, whom he defeated in the pre-quarterfinals of 2016 Indian Wells.
"It [clash against Zverev] will be a big challenge for me. He is a potential Grand Slam winner. He is a big talented player. He is improving in every moment he's on the tour. He can be a future World No. 1." Nadal said, as quoted by ATP's official website.
TV Schedule
Australia: Seven
India: Sony Six
Japan: NHK, WOWOW, Sportsnavi
Malaysia: Fox Sports
US: ESPN
UK: Eurosport
Philippines: Fox Sports
Thailand: Fox Sports
China: CCTV, Guangdong Sports, BTV Sports
France: Eurosport
Spain: Eurosport
