Dominic Thiem vs Rafael Nadal Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP French Open

Prediction published on 08/06/2019, 10:15  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/06/2019 at 11:15 in ATP French Open Predictions

Rafael Nadal is chasing his 12th French Open title and there's one golden rule that applies to the Spaniard. When he reaches this final, he goes on to win the tournament as he's won all 11 of his finals in Paris. Last year he beat Dominic Thiem for the loss of just nine games and a year later, he has to take him on again. Nadal has been in dominant form in this year's tournament and only David Goffin has been able to take a set off him. The last two rounds has seen Nadal lose just 14 games and that was up against Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer. A win in this final will break the record for the most wins in one Grand Slam tournament. He currently holds that with Margaret Court but several of her 11 Australian Open titles came in weakened fields. Nadal won the previous clay court tournament in Rome and bids to retain not just his French Open title but that of being King of Clay.

Dominic Thiem is the young pretender to that crown. The past four years have seen him reach at least the semi-finals and this is his second final in a row. Last year he only won seven games against Nadal, it got progressively worse for him as he lost 6-4 6-3 6-2. He hasn't had it all his own way in this tournament losing sets in his first three matches and then having a five-set battle against Novak Djokovic. That semi-final was held over til Saturday afternoon due to the weather conditions in Paris, while Nadal had his feet up after Friday's win over Federer. Thiem has beaten Nadal this year in Barcelona but the Spaniard has an 8-4 lead over him and he's won both their meetings in Paris losing just 16 games. Go for under 34.5 games to be played in this final.