Three to See, Day 9: Nadal vs. Kyrgios; Badosa vs. Kudermetova; Alcaraz vs. Norrie

The Break: Medvedev must denounce Putin to play Wimbledon

Paula Badosa v. Veronika Kudermetova

Naomi Osaka’s heckler didn’t just drive her to tears. She also overshadowed a stellar performance by Kudermetova, who was Osaka’s largely overlooked opponent that night. The Russian didn’t let anything distract her; she kept hitting the ball early and attacking Osaka whenever possible. That has been her M.O. for most of 2022, and it has taken her to two finals already this year, and now the quarters at a WTA 1000. Judging by her history with Badosa, Kudermetova should be confident that she can make the semifinals, too. She’s 3-0 against the Spaniard, but Badosa is also the defending champion and has yet to lose a set in her defense. Winner: Kudermetova

Rafael Nadal vs. Nick Kyrgios

“When he’s playing well, and when he’s excited and motivated, he’s one of the toughest opponent without a doubt, no?”

That’s what Nadal said of Kyrgios on Wednesday. Perhaps the most obvious indicator of the Australian’s skills is the fact that he has won three of his eight meetings against Nadal, and two of four on hard courts. There aren’t many players who have kept their head-to-head with Rafa that close over that length of time. And like Nadal said, Kyrgios gets up for his encounters with the Big Three, and generally doesn’t let himself come unglued in those matches.

Kyrgios will come into this match having played a lot less tennis than his opponent. He won his first two matches easily, and received a walkover against Jannik Sinner. Rafa, meanwhile, has been in a couple of dogfights, with Sebi Korda and Reilly Opelka, and admitted that he’s feeling pain in his foot. Kyrgios sounds happy and looks fit, and he could dominate this match. But the question may be: What if he doesn’t? What if he faces some type of adversity for the first time this week? Against Opelka, Nadal showed that he still knows how to edge his way past a big server in a tight contest. Winner: Nadal

Cam Norrie vs. Carlos Alcaraz

Norrie has won nine straight matches at Indian Wells, seems to be hitting an early 2022 peak, and is ranked seven spots higher (No. 12 to No. 19) than his Spanish opponent. But the 18-year-old Alcaraz may be poised to pass him by anyway. This week Alcaraz, with a veteran’s casual swagger, has already cruised past two good veteran players in Roberto Bautista Agut and Gael Monfils. And he has beaten Norrie in straight sets, in their only meeting, at last year’s US Open. Norrie is a smart player who knows how to defuse bigger hitters and better athletes, and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with against Alcaraz. Except that it may not matter. Winner: Alcaraz