TENNIS FREE BETTING TIP: Rafael Nadal vs Dennis Shapovalov

Details:

Rafael Nadal is currently fifth in the ATP rankings but what he is about is history. The Spaniard is having a chance to win his 21st Grand Slam trophy and leave behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic who are tied with him at 20 trophies each.

Nadal’s 2021 season was cut short due to injuries. He finished the season in August with a 25-7 record winning two titles in Rome and Barcelona.

After a five-month break, the 35-year-old came back ready and he is 7-0 so far in 2022.

Nadal lost only one set in his first four matches in Melbourne. He started with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Marcos Giron followed by a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win over Yannik Hanfmann in the second round.

He dropped a set against Karen Khachanov in the third round winning 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 before defeating Adrian Mannarino in the fourth by 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Dennis Shapovalov is slowly but surely entering his prime and seems ready for his first deep Grand Slam run.

The 22-year-old is currently 14th in the ATP rankings and will probably be back among the Top 10 very soon. The Canadian finished last season with a 33-24 record including 13-12 on hard surface.

He started 2022 with a 7-1 record and the ATP Cup trophy.

In the first round of the Australian Open, Shapovalov defeated Laslo Djere 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6. It was even more difficult for Shapovalov in the next round, as he needed five sets to go past Soon Woo Kwon for final 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2. In the third round, the Canadian defeated Reilly Opelka 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Shapovalov made the biggest upset so far in Melbourne as he defeated Alexander Zverev in Round 16 by 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. Shapovalov played great on return winning 71% of Zverev’s second serve and making four breaks.

Key facts

• Nadal is 7-0 in 2022 and Shapovalov is 7-1
• Nadal leads 3-2 against Shapovalov
• Shapovalov defeated Nadal in an exhibition in December 2021

There is no question that Rafael Nadal is still a better player than Dennis Shapovalov but what can make a difference is their physical shape. Nadal looks good and ready but this will be his fifth match in 9 days and he hasn’t played that many in almost a year. Shapovalov on the other hand is 22 and in full power. He has defeated Nadal twice so far and can definitely do that again. This will for sure be a tough game but Nadal will come up with a win in a match that will go at least over 30.5 games.

Value Bet

Rafael Nadal to win and over 4.5 sets

5.10

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