Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Italian Open

Prediction published on 15/05/2021, 18:35  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/05/2021 at 19:36 in Tennis Predictions

It's the final we all wanted as top seed Novak Djokovic takes on second seeded Rafael Nadal in the Rome Masters final. Nadal has won this title on nine occasions, Djokovic just the four times but he is the defending champion. Djokovic had a hectic Saturday, having to win two matches. First up was the rain-delayed quarter final against Stefanos Tsitsipas. It began on Friday and Saturday resumed with Djokovic having to come from a set and a break down in the second to recover and win the match. Later that afternoon he was up against Lorenzo Sonego and that also went to three sets but lasted nearly three hours. How much will that have taken out of him?

This is the 57th meeting between these two players and Djokovic leads 29-27. Nadal has won the last four against Djokovic on clay and hasn't lost to him on this surface in six years. In this tournament, they have met three times previously (all in finals) and Nadal leads 2-1. The Spaniard had a slightly easier Saturday as he beat Reilly Opelka in straight sets. He hasn't had it all his own way this week though and had to save two match points against Denis Shapovalov. Go for him to get the win in this final.