Denis Shapovalov vs Rafael Nadal Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 24/01/2022, 06:57  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/01/2022 at 16:08 in Tennis Predictions

Rafa Nadal remains on course to win a record 21st Grand Slam title. He takes on 14th seeded Denis Shapovalov in the quarter finals of the Australian Open. The winner of this match takes on either Gael Monfils or Matteo Berrettini in the semi-final. Nadal has only ever won this title on one occasion, back in 2009. Since then, the Spaniard has won 14 Grand Slam titles but lost in four Australian Open finals, most recently in 2019. He's always been consistent in Melbourne though and only in 2013 when not taking part and a first round loss in 2016, has Nadal failed to reach the last eight of this tournament. The 35-year-old is seeded sixth this year and is bidding to avoid a third straight Australian Open quarter final defeat. He missed the final two Grand Slam events of 2021 and it was the first year since 2016 that he didn't win a Grand Slam title. Nadal has began well this year. He won a tournament in Melbourne, though no player in the top 60 was faced. To reach this quarter final, he's beaten Marcos Giron, Yannick Hanfmann, 28th seeded Karen Khachanov (in four sets) and Adrian Mannarino, so not the toughest of routes.

Denis Shapovalov has also made a bright start to 2022. He was one half of the Canadian team that won the ATP Cup earlier this month. He won three of his four matches, only losing to Dan Evans. The only top 50 player beaten was Pablo Carreno Busta. Shapovalov reached the semi-final at Wimbledon last year but hasn't got the greatest of Grand Slam records. Aside from that last four appearance on grass, this is only his second Grand Slam quarter final, the other being the 2020 US Open. In this tournament, Shapovalov had never got past the third round until this year. He's had wins over Laslo Dere (in four sets), Kwon-Soon-woo (in a five-setter in which he trailed 2-1), Reilly Opelka (another four-setter) and then a surprise straight sets win over third seeded Alexander Zverev. Four games played in this tournament have included seven tie-breaks, a bet on one in this match looks a good idea. Nadal has yet to be severely tested but he should have enough to win this and reach the semi-final.