ATP French Open Quarterfinals: Nadal vs Djokovic Showdown
Slot in Semis at Stake in Marquee Matchup
Ever since the French Open draw dropped, the potential for a quarterfinal round in the fop half of the draw featuring Nadal vs. Djokovic and Alcaraz vs. Zverev was on the cards. Well, it’s here. All four players have lived up to their lofty billings to set up one of the best tennis betting cards of the tournament.
So, without too much preamble, let’s get cracking with the previews and predictions.
French Open Quarterfinals
Djokovic vs Nadal
World No.1 Novak Djokovic is through to the quarterfinals, underlining his pre-tournament odds as the player to beat.
The world No.1 peaked just in time for the French Open, winning the title in Rome by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. As the tournament defending champion, there’s a lot at stake for the Serbian, including history. He’s looking to rival Nadal in the record books by winning a record-tying 21st Grand Slam title in Paris.
Djokovic’s draw was a total breeze and he comes into the quarters well rested and raring to go. He couldn’t have gotten a better draw had he scripted it himself. In four rounds, he hasn’t dropped a set and relinquished fewer than 10 games per match.
The 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal came into the tournament with many questions. His clay-court preparation was curtailed due to a rib injury that he suffered in Indian Wells in March. When he did return to the ATP Tour, he managed to get only a handful of matches on his beloved clay.
In Madrid, Nadal reached the quarterfinals before losing to Alcaraz. In Rome, he reached the Round of 16, but he lost to Denis Shapovalov after tweaking his foot midway through the match.
🚨 IT. IS. ON. 🚨
Nadal vs Djokovic: Episode 59 incoming!@RafaelNadal @DjokerNole #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/YY73DMjiIl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 29, 2022
Djokovic and Nadal have met 58 times with Djokovic holding the series edge 30-28. Last year, the pair split their two meetings on clay, with Nadal winning in Rome and Djokovic at Roland Garros.
In fact, Djokovic’s victory on clay was rare and snapped a five-match losing streak on the red dirt that went back to 2017. Nadal leads on clay 18-8. Nadal was suffering from a foot injury during that four-set defeat to Djokovic (3-6, 6-3, 7-6-4 ,6-2)
For all intents and purposes, Djokovic is the more in-form player right now. The more confident it would seem as well. He’s spent very little time on the court in the first week and he will be the fresher of the two. As such, it’s no surprise that the’s the favorite on the tennis odds board.
Nadal hasn’t picked up 13 French Open titles by accident. There is a reason why he’s dubbed the “King of Clay.” He expended a lot of energy in the R16, needing five sets to overcome Felix Auger-Alisassime. However, winning that kind of match could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Pick: Nadal +190
Alcaraz vs Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev are set to reprise their recent meeting in the Madrid Open final, a matchup Alcaraz won with surprising ease to lift his second career ATP 1000 Masters title.
Zverev didn’t account well in the 6-3, 6-1 loss to the Spaniard and he seemed to run out of ideas quickly. He will have to put in a much stronger effort this time around if he hopes to reach the French Open semis.
The best-of-five scenario affords more opportunities for players to make a fist of it. That’s the good news for Zverev. The bad news? The bookmakers don’t see it quite so positively.
As per BetUS sportsbook, the world No. 3 is tipped at a distinct disadvantage in betting online markets. Zverev is priced at +345 to win.
Welcome to the @alcarazcarlos03 show 🤯#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/fVbODNenSl
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2022
Alcaraz is the rising star of the game, and the buzz and hype surrounding the teen phenom are palpable. He’s the runaway favorite at -425 to win this quarterfinal and set up a showdown with the winner of the Djokovic vs Nadal clash.
Alcaraz should come through in this match, but betting on the Spaniard at -425 doesn’t offer the best value. If both players live up to their billing, this is should be a highly competitive match that goes beyond just three sets.
Pick: Over 36½ games
