MATCH OF THE DAQ previews Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal (French Open Semi-Final, K.O 12.00, ITV 4)
Tennis fans are in the midst of a golden age with the current top four in the world rankings – Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Andy Murray – some of the greatest players to have ever picked up a racket.
Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal
French Open Semi-Final
K.O 12.00, ITV 4
HEAD TO HEAD
(Max last 10 only)
2013 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, Monaco, Clay, Djokovic, Novak 6-2 7-6(1)
2012 Roland Garros, France, Clay, Nadal, Rafael 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5
2012 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome, Italy, Clay, Nadal, Rafael 7-5, 6-3
2012 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, Monaco, Clay, Nadal, Rafael 6-3, 6-1
2012 Australian Open, Australia, Hard, Djokovic, Novak 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5
2011 US Open, USA, Hard, Djokovic, Novak 6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-1
2011 Wimbledon, Great Britain, Grass, Djokovic, Novak 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3
2011 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome, Italy, Clay, Djokovic, Novak 6-4 6-4
2011 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid, Spain, Clay, Djokovic, Novak 7-5 6-4
2011 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami, USA, Hard, Djokovic, Novak 4-6 6-3 7-6(4)
PREVIEW
Tennis fans are in the midst of a golden age with the current top four in the world rankings – Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Andy Murray – some of the greatest players to have ever picked up a racket. But few would disagree that when they are both in form, Djokovic and Nadal are pretty much unbeatable and today’s French Open semi-final between the pair at Roland Garros looks set to be a cracker.
Both men have coasted into the last four with just three sets dropped between them and it’s just a shame they are meeting now rather than in Sunday’s final. The winner today will be a hot favourite to land the showpiece.
Nadal holds a 19-15 head-to-head record over the Serbian world number one but Djokovic is the first player to register at least ten wins over the seven-time French Open champion and the first to win seven consecutive matches against him. Djokovic was a beaten finalist here versus Nadal last year but proved he can beat the clay maestro on his preferred surface with a stunning win at Monte Carlo earlier in the season.
Djokovic needs to win this title to complete his own set of Grand Slam titles, while Nadal is defending an extraordinary record that has seen him lose just once here in Paris.
Remarkably, just one of their nine previous meetings in Slams has gone the distance. With Nadal’s love for the clay and his record here, he is a worthy favourite at around 1.7 on BETDAQ but Djokovic is flying at present and it’s too close to call.
The market for five total sets at 2.97 is tempting but perhaps punters should stick with history (four of the last five Slam encounters between them have been four sets) and back four total sets at around 2.35 on BETDAQ.
RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)
Back 4 sets at around 2.65 on BETDAQ: 4 points
Thursday: +4.70 points
JUNE RETURN TO DATE: +0.25 points
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
