'Rafael Nadal is still very hard to beat on clay, it should be a good test,' said Nishikori

Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori will face in the Barcelona Open third round on Thursday, setting their 14th meeting and the first since Roland Garros 2019.

The Spaniard has won 11 matches against the Japanese so far, suffering only losses in Canada 2015 and the Rio Olympics a year later. As was expected, Rafa has won all five of their matches on clay, beating Kei in the Barcelona Open final five years ago in straight sets after two hours and five minutes.

Seeking the 12th Barcelona Open title, Nadal made a shaky start on Wednesday, losing the opening set to Ilya Ivashka and prevailing 6-4 in the decider after a great battle. The home favorite will have to raise his level to stay on the title course, with the Japanese eager to get back on a winning way after numerous injuries and the ranking drop, hoping to celebrate against Rafa for the first time on the slowest surface.

"Rafa is Rafa; he is still very strong. Ivashka is a very tough opponent, the conditions were not easy either, but I knew that the Belarusian is a complete tennis player. We all understand how tough is to beat Nadal on clay. I could never beat him here, so I will have to do my best tennis and be more aggressive than usual from the baseline. I am happy to face him on this surface; it will be a good test for me," Kei Nishikori said.