Rafael Nadal vs Mariano Navone Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Bastad Open

Prediction published on 18/07/2024, 14:03  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 18/07/2024 at 14:09 in Tennis Predictions

Former world number one Rafa Nadal seeks a second win at the Swedish Open when he meets fourth seed Mariano Navone. This will be a quarter-final clash with the winner playing Duje Ajdukovic or Thiago Monteiro next. Here we highlight the players’ forms and offer a prediction for the match.

Nadal is back at Bastad after a 19-year hiatus. He won his first two matches without dropping a set. A champion here in 2005, the Spaniard’s start will strengthen his belief that he can go all the way once again.

Nadal, who has been plagued by injuries and a dip in form, eliminated Cameron Norrie in the second round. That was by the loss of eight games and has now improved his record to 9-5. He hasn’t progressed to the last four at a tour event since 2022. Playing in Bastad as a wildcard, the 22-time major winner is ranked 224th in the live ranking.

This will be the first career matchup for the two players. Navone contested his first two career tour finals this year. Both were on clay, a surface he excels on. He therefore should arrive for this match fully confident of winning.

The Argentine, debuting in Bastad, began his campaign with a 2-0 victory over Sumit Nagal. The win marked a return to winning ways after a run of four successive defeats to end a poor grass season. He has now compiled a 26-15 record and registered all of his victories on clay.

A finalist in Bucharest and Rio as well as a semi-finalist in Marrakech, Navone has moved to 35th in the live ranking.