Rafael Nadal vs Cameron Norrie Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Acapulco Open

Prediction published on 26/02/2022, 08:29  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 26/02/2022 at 09:31 in Tennis Predictions

Rafa Nadal is still unbeaten in 2022 and takes on Cameron Norrie in the Mexican Open final. The Spaniard has played in three tournaments this year and previously won two titles down under, including of course the Australian Open. He beat the soon to be world number one Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals. That's his second win over the Russian this year. Nadal has now won 15 matches this year and is strongly fancied here to make it 16. This week has seen Nadal get wins over Denis Kudla, Stefan Kozlov and Tommy Paul before beating the top seeded Medvedev 6-3 6-3. A win over Norrie will take him up to fourth in the world rankings and further extend his lead at the top of the ATP Race for points earned this year.

Cameron Norrie was down in the dumps a few weeks ago. His trip down under didn't go anything like that of his opponents. He lost all three of his ATP Cup matches and was then beaten in the first round of the Australian Open. With the defence of his Indian Wells title on the horizon, the British number one needed to kickstart his season. His recovery began with a run to the last eight in Rotterdam. Then he made his way to the US and last week won the Delray Beach Open. That good form has continued in Mexico with wins over Daniel Altmaier, John Isner (after losing the first set), Peter Gojowyczyk (losing just one game) and then causing a shock by beating third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.  Norrie is 12th in the live rankings but would move up to tenth if he can beat Nadal. He's had three previous matches against Nadal and all took place last year. All three were won by Nadal with two of them in Grand Slams. Nadal has never lost a set to Norrie and he can keep up that record with a straigh sets win here.