ATP Australian Open: Nadal v Berdych Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Jack Howard on 2012-01-23 19:41:56

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – World Number 2 Rafael Nadal faces Tomas Berdych early on Tuesday morning in their eagerly anticipated quarterfinal in the Australian Open. Nadal is bidding to recapture the title that he won in 2009 from Serbian star Novak Djokovic, but must first defeat seventh seed Berdych. Nadal starts the game as favourite to secure victory, and can currently be backed to do so at best odds of 1/4 (bet £4 to make £1 profit) with William Hill. For those punters anticipating an upset, however, Berdych can be backed to win at a market bet of 10/3 with Bet Victor.

Nadal defeated friend and fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in straight sets in the fourth-round on Monday, securing his slot in the tournament’s quarterfinals. Nadal played with both his right knee and his left ankle taped during the game, but didn’t seem to be hampered by any pain as he cruised to an emphatic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory. The World Number 2 has yet to drop a set in the tournament, and will want to continue this record in his upcoming game against Berdych. If he progresses to the next stage of the tournament, Nadal looks set to face Swiss star Roger Federer, a potential match-up that will be filling tennis enthusiasts with excited anticipation.

Berdych however, is a player famed for his threateningly clean ground-strokes and his powerful service game, and could prove to be tough opposition. The Czech player defeated Nicolas Almagro 3-1 in his fourth round encounter, winning three consecutive tie-breaks after dropping the opening set.

Rafael Nadal is quoted at best odds of 13/10 with Boylesports to win the match in straight sets, whilst a more closely fought 3-2 victory for the favourite is available at 7/1 with Paddy Power. Tomas Berdych, on the other hand, can be backed at considerably longer odds of 14/1 with Ladbrokes to win the match without dropping a set to Nadal. For those punters who think that the Czech giant will emerge triumphant after a close fought game, however, a 3-2 victory for Berdych is on offer at shorter odds of 10/1 with Stan James.

The first set will be of extreme importance, setting the tempo for the contest between these two atheletes. Nadal starts the game as the favourite to secure the first crucial break of service, and can currently be backed to do so at 4/9 with Stan James. Berdych, on the other hand, is on offer to break Nadal before he himself is broken at longer odds of 7/4 with Ladbrokes.

World Number 1 and reigning champion Novak Djokovic is unsurprisingly the current favourite to secure the Australian Open title, and can currently be backed at a market best of evens with Paddy Power. Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, is available to lift the trophy at longer odds of 11/2 with Skybet, whilst a surprise win for Berdych can be backed at odds as long as 40/1 with Paddy Power.

Play starts at 08.30 GMT

Nadal v Berdych Match Odds

Nadal v Berdych Set Odds

Nadal v Berdych First Break Odds

Australian Open Title Odds