Rafael Nadal vs. Mackenzie McDonald: Preview and betting tips

Rafael Nadal enters the second round of the Australian Open, facing American Mackenzie McDonald. How will the match play out and what to bet on?

The second player on the ATP rankings and the most successful tennis player in history, Rafael Nadal took down Jack Draper 3-1 in the first round.

But it was not exactly a walk in the park with the British tennis player. He won the first set 7-5, lost the second set 2-6 and didn’t look his best. But then he picked himself up and won the next two sets 6-4 and 6-1.

Moreover, he defends his title at the Australian Open, which he described as one of the most emotional of his career. In the final, he was already 0-2 down to sets and 2-3 down to Daniil Medvedev.

He’s not in the best of form at the moment, plus he’s been plagued by injuries again. But he admitted that he has worked on his fitness, and is much leaner than he has been in recent years.

He will be facing Mackenzie McDonald in the second round. The 27-year-old American is ranked 65th in the ATP rankings, who has no ATP title to his name yet, and his greatest achievement at the Grand Slam is the 4th round (AO 2021, Wimledon 2018).

In the first round he experienced a huge battle with his compatriot, Brandon Nakashima. He won the first two sets in a tiebreak, then the 49th ranked player leveled after sets 6-1 and 7-6 (12-10). In the decisive fifth set, McDonald won 6-4.

The Spanish tennis player is a big favourite and should have no problems with McDonald. Therefore, I would bet on Nadal to win in three sets.

Source: Australian Open, ATP