2024 Barcelona Open Wednesday SCHEDULE and PREVIEW including Rafael NADAL – DE MINAUR, TSITSIPAS and RUUD

The third day of competition at the ATP 500 Barcelona Open will once again feature Rafael Nadal as the main attraction, as he seeks his second consecutive victory after a strong return to Spanish clay against Flavio Cobolli. The 22-times Grand Slam champion will headline a day that also includes matches with Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Casper Ruud.

Nadal had no trouble defeating the Italian 6-2, 6-3, and displayed a competitive level in his return to a clay tournament for the first time since his 2022 French Open title. This time, he will face off against one of the most in-form players in recent months: the Australian Alex De Minaur (No. 11).

Action on the Rafa Nadal Court will begin with Spanish Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (11th seed) facing off against the young Czech Tomas Machac. Once that match is concluded, the third seed Casper Ruud will take on Alexandre Muller, before the Nadal - De Minaur showdown. The day on the main court will conclude with Tsitsipas facing off against the Austrian Sebastian Ofner.

On the Andres Gimeno Court, the spotlight will be on local representatives. The former world No. 9 Roberto Bautista Agut received a wild card and will face lucky loser Andrea Vavassori of Italy. Following that match, Jaume Munar will play against the 14th seed Jordan Thompson, while Roberto Carballes Baena will play against the 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti.

Other notable figures making their debut in the tournament include Ugo Humbert, Nicolas Jarry, Arthur Fils, and Fabian Maroszan.

(11) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina v Tomas Machac (CZE)

Alexandre Muller (FRA) v (11) Casper Ruud (NOR)

(4) Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Sebastian Ofner (AUT) v (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

(LL) Andrea Vavassori (ITA) v (WC) Roberto Bautista Agut

(14) Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Jaume Munar (ESP)

(10) Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) v Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP)

Daniel Altmaier (GER) v (16) Arthur Fils (FRA)

(Q) Marco Trungelliti (ITA) v (9) Nicolas Jarry (CHI)

Dusan Lajovic (SRB) v (6) Ugo Humbert (FRA)

(17) Fabian Marozsan (HUN) v Luca van Assche (FRA)