Ruthless Rafael Nadal will take on the Next-Gen sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first of the 2019 Australian Open semi-finals that will be played on Thursday.
Watch & bet on Rafael Nadal v Stefanos Tsitsipas live with bet365 here* on Thursday, January 24. The Nadal v Tsitsipas match will be played at 7 pm local time (9 am BST).
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Nadal Continues Relentless Form
2009 Australian Open winner, and 17 time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal, continued his ominous form, as he dispatched rising American sensation Frances Tiafoe, with relative ease, in straight sets in the quarter finals.
Nadal, was in explosive form, not allowing Tiafoe to get into any sort of rhythm, and putting pressure on the American from the beginning. The Spaniard, has spent relatively less time on the court, without dropping a set yet, at the Open.
Nadal entered the tournament with low expectations, at the back of an injury prone last few months. But, with a seemingly more likely clash for the title, against old foe Novak Djokovic on the cards, the Spaniard has emerged as a serious contender for a second Australian Open title.
It must be noted that the world number two has not been tested by superior opponents yet. With Swiss maestro Roger Federer, Kevin Anderson, and Marin Cilic, all losing earlier than expected, the draw opened up favorably for the Spaniard. That being said, the form Nadal has displayed at the Open, has been impressive.
Can Tsitsipas Take Down Another of the Big 3?
Greek sensation, Stefanos Tsitsipas, continues his fairytale run at the Australian Open. After defeating defending champion Roger Federer in four sets in the fourth round, he defeated Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, in the quarter-finals, also in four sets.
Tsitsipas was a break down in both the first and third sets; and recovered with double breaks.
A strong serve, good court coverage, heavy single-handed backhand, and no hesitation in coming up to the net, has been on display, all tournament long. Tsitsipas has already exceeded all expectations, including his own.
Hailed as a future multiple grand slam winner, Tsitsipas has had a phenomenal last 12 months, defeating a number of the top 10 players, at major tournaments.
Nadal v Tsitsipas Head to Head
The players have met twice on the ATP Circuit, both in the finals of events, at the Barcelona ATP 500, and the Masters 1000, in Toronto. Nadal won both in straight sets, relatively comfortably, with Tsitsipas providing more of a challenge in Toronto.
Nadal v Tsitsipas Tips & Predictions
Tsitsipas has had a phenomenal run thus far, at the Open, and has all it takes to continue. That being said, Nadal has been at these stages of a Grand Slam, multiple times, and is a tough customer in the second week of a major.
Tsitsipas will definitely display his brilliance, but the Spaniard has all it takes to tackle that. An interesting matchup, but it is hard to look beyond a straight sets win for Nadal.
You can watch & bet on Rafael Nadal v Stefanos Tsitsipas live with bet365 here on Thursday, January 24.
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