Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will renew their historic rivalry for the 39th time when they meet in the semifinals of the 2019 French Open. Latest Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer predictions, tips and odds from the 2019 French Open semi-final here.
Get the best Nadal v Federer odds for the French Open semi-final with 888Sport here.
[the_ad id=”11415″]
This has been a rivalry that shaped and defined the landscape of men’s tennis ever since their first meeting in Miami 15 years ago. Now at the twilight years of their careers there are still no signs of the wheels coming off and they will contest a last four showdown on partisan dirt that could have significant repercussions in their illustrious careers.
This will be their first meeting since 2017.
For the Swiss superstar – an icon in the men’s game – he will be seeking his first ever win over his great rival at Roland Garros in five attempts (losing in four finals). Federer trails in the head-to-head 23-15, but he has won their last five matches on the trot, making the series far more respectable than when it was five years ago.
With an injection of pace and penetration, and taking the ball early on the rise, the 37-year-old solved the Nadal puzzle in those five meetings. However, none of those matches were played on clay which happens to be Nadal’s favorite surface.
And at the French Open, the Spaniard has proved to be tennis’ ultimate challenge where he has proved almost unbeatable. Federer has won only two matches on clay against Nadal in his career and a third on Friday will surely rank as the sweetest victory of his career.
Nadal has been in sublime form this fortnight, sweeping past the chasing pack in the first four rounds (albeit in a less treacherous draw) before dismantling the seventh seed Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals. The Spanish lefty has never lost in any semifinal or final in Paris where he will be seeking a record-extending 12th French Open crown.
Nadal owns a 13-2 record over the Swiss on clay and he has inflicted some of the most chastening loses in Federer’s career at Roland Garros.
Tip: Rafael Nadal is unquestionably the greatest clay-court player of all-time and he is the ultimate challenge on this surface. This year things have not gone exactly as planned but he still managed to capture the Masters title in Rome which further elevated his status as the favorite walking in to Paris.
For years, Federer desperately searched for the antidote to cope with the cross-court forehand of the Spaniard and he struggled massively in that department. The Swiss managed to resurrect his backhand with the addition of coach Ivan Ljubicic and he had the upper hand in their rivalry by winning the last five matches.
But on clay, Nadal will be almost unbreakable in that pattern of play. However, Federer still has a chance to make this one competitive especially when you consider he has nothing to lose here and he will swing freely as the underdog. Nadal is massive favorite to win and he is priced (1/7) while Federer has opened with odds (32/5) to cause the upset.
Federer v Nadal Betting Tips at the French Open 2019:
- Nadal to win 3-1: 13/5 (888Sport)
Be the first to comment