Nadal's semi-final comeback costs bookies £50k

Story by Sarah Preece on 2012-01-26 14:58:42

Nifty Nadal backers ace the bookies

RAFAEL NADAL'S semi-final win against Roger Federer cost £50,000 according to Ladbrokes.

There was one way traffic for Roger Federer as he headed in to the match as the odds-on (4/6) favourite to reach the final. However at the start of the second set with Nadal a break down bet-in-play punters started to rally round the Spaniard, backing him off the boards at 100/30 leaving the firm with a £50,000 headache as he battled his way into the final

Novak Djokovic (4/11) or Andy Murray (9/4) will face Nadal in Sunday's final. Although he heads into the game as the outsider Murray's favoured at 1/8 to produce the fastest serve and it's 20/1 he beats Djokovic 6-0 in any set.

Should the Scot make it to the final Murray's chalked up at 3/1 to cry on court and 6/1 to propose to long-term girlfriend Kim Sears. The bookies are also sweating on his progress as we'll refund all losing outright single bets if Murray wins in Melbourne, costing a cool £500,000.

Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: "Punters wanted to be with Nadal at all rates while the comeback looked on the cards. It's cost us a few quid but he can return the favour by beating Murray if he makes the final."

Ladbrokes latest betting

Australian Open winner

• Novak Djokovic - Evens
• Rafael Nadal - 11/8
• Andy Murray - 9/2

Semi-final match betting

• Novak Djokovic - 4/11
• Andy Murray - 9/4

Andy Murray Specials

Who will produce the fastest serve

• Murray - 1/8
• Djokovic - 9/2

• Novak Djokovic to beat Murray 6-0 in any set - 10/1
• Andy Murray to beat Djokovic 6-0 in any set - 20/1

• Novak Djokovich to beat Murray in a whitewash - 2,000/1
• Andy Murray to beat Djokovic in a whitewash - 10,000/1

• Andy Murray to tweet during the final - 8/1
• Andy Murray to tweet after the final - 3/1
• Andy Murray to propose to girlfriend Kim Sears on court during the final - 6/1
• Andy Murray to cry on court during the final - 3/1

whitewash denotes a 6-0 6-0 6-0 winning scoreline.