Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev: Preview and betting tips

It’s right here. All tennis eyes will be on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday as the legendary Rafael Nadal and the next generation’s Daniil Medvedev battle it out for the Australian Open triumph. Who will dominate the final?

Let’s start with Nadal. It’s a miracle the Spanish tennis player made it to the final at all. Six months ago, he had to interrupt his career due to a left leg injury and didn’t know if he would ever return to the courts again. A few weeks before the start of the Australian Open, he had a coronavirus and it was uncertain whether and in what condition he would appear in Melbourne.

But the Mallorca native proved once again that he must never write himself off. He flew through the tournament like a runaway train, with only minor problems in the quarter-finals when Shapovalov tied him at 2-2 sets. Otherwise, he was firmly in control of all his matches, winning the first and second set in each match.

Medvedev entered the Australian Open from a different position. After Novak Djokovic’s non-participation, as the second player on the ranking, he was hailed as the biggest favourite of the whole tournament, a role he fulfilled conscientiously. He shows his incredible versatility on the court and also how much of a tennis player he has grown into. However, he has to watch out for his excesses, which could cost him the title in a tense final with Nadal.

Mentality is, after all, the Spanish tennis player’s greatest asset. Few in the world can handle tense moments like him, especially now that he is under no pressure, although he may make history with a record 21st Grand Slam.

“I’m not thinking about the 21st Grand Slam right now, I’m just happy to be here and to play,” a relaxed Nadal said after the semifinal. The two rivals have played each other four times, with the better record going to Nadal, who has won three times.

the 35-year-old Spaniard dominated the first duel between them, winning 6-3 and 6-0 in Montreal in August 2019. He then beat Medvedev at the Grand Slam as well, beating him 3: 2 in sets at the 2019 US Open. He added a third win again in 2019, this time at the Tournament of Champions.

We can definitely expect a big battle. Both are perfect defenders, no ball is lost for them. Therefore, we can predict that we will see at least four sets in the match.