Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal Prediction, Tips and Odds – May 31, 2022 20:45 CET
Ahead of us is the match we have been waiting for since the end of the draw for this year’s Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will play their 59th duel against each other, and for the second year in a row, they will meet before the French Open final.
Last year was their last clash, and the Serb won 3-1 after he was losing 0-1. Djokovic seems to be more reliable in this tournament. The Spaniard defeated his opponents with more difficulties, and it remains to be seen whether Nadal has saved his best edition for this duel.
Novak Djokovic
The Serbian tennis player has played great in the previous four rounds. He routinely eliminated Nishiouk, Molcan, Bedene and Schwartzman. His dominance is best illustrated by the fact that he allowed only one of his opponents to win more than three games in one set.
Many thought that the first three opponents were a bit easier and that Diego Schwartzman, a clay specialist, would create more problems for the Serb. However, Djokovic played his best match in the tournament in the fourth round and demolished the Argentinean (6-1, 6-3, 6-3).
Despite the fact that he missed many tournaments this year due to the known vaccination issues, Novak reached the optimal form in a short time. He started the season on clay unconvincingly. Davidovich Fokina defeated him already at the start of the Masters in Monte Carlo, and Alcaraz eliminated him in the semifinals of Madrid. However, Djokovic won the tournament in Rome and made it known that he would be the best in Paris.
That’s what he looks like on the court for now. The Serbian player is constant, solid, does not make mistakes, and has perfect anticipation. He is playing his best tennis this season in the capital of France.
Welcome to the @DjokerNole drop shot clinic 👨⚕️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/kNbMqpzEXS
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2022
Rafael Nadal
On the other hand, Rafael Nadal also passed the first three rounds quite easily, but in the fourth he spent almost four and a half hours on the field. He had a big problem against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime whom he eliminated only after five sets (3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3).
The time spent on the field before the match against Djokovic is not something that makes the Spaniard happy. Against him, he will have a fresher and more relaxed opponent, which can be a great asset for the Serbian player, because they are both in their mature playing years.
A potential advantage for the Spaniard in this clash will be the audience cheering him out loud. It may be an additional strength, but the Serb has shown many times during his career that the “hostile” atmosphere motivates him.
Destined to meet again…
2020: Nadal def. Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5
2021: Djokovic def. Nadal 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2
2022: ???#RolandGarros— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2022
Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Prediction
Rafael Nadal is the king of clay and the French Open and that is quite clear. He suffered only three losses in his career at Roland Garros, and Novak Djokovic defeated him twice.
The Serb has shown a higher level of consistency than the Spaniard in the tournament so far and this makes him a favorite ahead of the match. In addition, Djokovic is more rested than Nadal, and the excess of freshness will come to the fore if this clash lasts long.
Prediction: Novak Djokovic -1.5 sets
Odds: 1.88
Bookmaker: 22bet
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