Australian Open 2019 Preview – January 18th, 2019 at 1:30 am
There has been no sign of an injury or fitness problems for Rafael Nadal so far, but that’s the kind of thing that wouldn’t really show up until the tougher second week of action. It has been comfortable enough for the Spaniard so far. Next up for him is Australia’s Alex De Minaur who battled his way through an epic five-setter in the last round.
Alex de Minaur v Rafael Nadal odds*
Rafael Nadal 1/9
Alex De Minaur 11/2
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 16th, 2019 at 5.31 pm)
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Rafael has looked smooth so far at the Grand Slam. After pulling out of the Brisbane International there were concerns about his fitness. But he has moved through without a dropping a set in the first two rounds of the Australian Open 2019. He took out home talent Jack Duckworth in the first round and then moved easily past South Africa’s Matthew Ebden in the second round.
Australia’s De Minaur has had a busy start to the calendar year. He reached the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International before stepping straight back out and running to the final of the Sydney International. He collected the title there against Italy’s Andreas Seppi for his first ever ATP title. So that was a huge lift of confidence for De Minaur.
The 19-year-old started to make his name on the Tour last season reaching two finals. This is just his third appearance at his home Grand Slam, losing in the second round in his debut in 2017 and then going out at the first round last season. After winning in straight sets in the opening round against Paulo Sousa at Melbourne Park, he pulled out an epic five-set win in the last round over Henri Laaksonen after De Minaur had won the opening two sets.
Unfortunately for the youngster, who will no doubt be very well supported on court, this Grand Slam campaign for De Minaur may just hit a brick wall in the form of Nadal. The two players have met before. They met in the round of 32 at Wimbledon last year with Nadal powering his way through straight sets. We expect more of the same.
Prediction
We can see Nadal getting the job done in straight sets against the Australian once again. De Minaur is a great young talent but still has some way to go in order to compete with the elite in the game. It is a Rafael Nadal 3-0 set victory for us at 4/6 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 16th, 2019 at 5.31 pm).
