World number two Rafael Nadal will face up to the 177th-ranked Michael Mmoh in the second round of the 2021 Australian Open on Thursday, February 11, with the match likely to begin at around 11 am local time (12 noon BST or 7 pm Eastern Time previous day). Get the live streaming options of this Rafael Nadal v Michael Mmoh match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
Looking to watch 2021 Australian Open live streaming online?
- For tennis fans in the UK, Europe, Australia & elsewhere go to bet365 > Tennis > Live Streaming here* to watch & bet on the ATP & WTA tennis live.
- Get all the other Australian Open 2021 live streaming options here
[the_ad id=”14063″]
*Advertisement. Geo-restrictions apply & pre-funded account needed
Rafael Nadal v Michael Mmoh Head to Head
Nadal and Mmoh have never played each other before this in a competitive encounter.
Also Read:
Nadal Back Remains in Question
2019 finalist and world number two Nadal wouldn’t have been sure of his participation in the Australian Open after struggling with back issues in the lead-up to this tournament. After all, he had had to give up on his dreams of leading Spain to a win in the ATP Cup just before this competition.
So when he crashed Serbian Laslo Djere hopes with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win in his first round match, the fans would have been relieved to see him moving quite well without a lot of back trouble.
And the only time he was actually troubled was while serving at 5-2, when Djere broke him to love and then fell down 30-40 the next time he serving for the second set. The 20-time Grand Slam winner fought back to clinch the set both times and wrapped it up soon after in the third set to make it to the second round.
The bigger question is whether his back can hold up to the rigours of back to back best of five sets over a two-week period if he has to go deeper into the tournament.
[the_ad id=”30344″]
Qualifier Mmoh Sees off Another Serb
While Nadal beat Djere with ease, Mmoh needed a five-setter to overcome Viktor Troicki, another Serb in the draw, to make it to the second round. And as five-setters go, it wasn’t one of the most straightforward ones either.
Mmoh needed three tie-breakers and more than four hours to squeak past the veteran Troicki, coming through despite hitting lesser winners and more unforced errors than his opponent. More interestingly, both players had six breaks of service each, but in a match of small margins, it was Mmoh’s sixth and final break of serve in the final set that took him home.
The American, who before 2020 hadn’t won a single main draw at a Grand Slam, now has three wins in four tournaments – making the second round at the previous Australian Open, the US Open last year and this one.
Unfortunately for him, he now takes on one of the best tennis players ever to have graced the court and fitness issues aside would know the chances of making the third round for the first time are rather bleak.
Nadal v Mmoh Prediction and Tip
As mentioned earlier, Nadal’s fitness would be the only concern because otherwise, he should be able to get past Mmoh in straight sets.
Tip: Nadal to win in three sets: 2/9 (bet365)
[the_ad id=”30513″]
The 2021 Australian Open will be played from February 8 to 21. You can watch & bet on the these matches here. Get your latest premium tennis predictions here.
Be the first to comment