This contest isn't quite the box-office attraction it was a couple of years ago but these are still the two players everyone loves to see go to battle. In the unique conditions of Madrid, Roger Federer actually has a fighting chance this time, says Ben Caudell.
What a match we have in prospect today, as former World No. 1 and record Grand Slam winner Roger Federer takes on Rafael Nadal, the Current World No.1, and greatest player to have ever graced the red dirt.
Federer and Nadal have contested the Madrid final the past two years, with the spoils shared at one apiece, the Spaniard winning in 2010 (6-4 7-6) and the Fed Express in 2009 (6-4 6-4). Nadal, who has won 37 matches in a row on clay, leads the overall head-to-head series 16-8, and 10-2 on this surface.
The fact Federer has a win against Nadal here in Madrid gives us every reason to have a small punt at this gigantic price offered on Federer in the match odds. I am unable to recall a time over the last seven years when Federer's starting price has been as large as the [7.0] currently on offer.
It's fair to say that the Spaniard, who has won his last 15 matches in a row on home turf, is unstoppable on this surface. However, as we've discussed already this week, the Madrid conditions are pretty unique for a match on clay. The speed and flight of the ball is very different due to the altitude, which affects the execution of your shots. Federer will never have a better chance of defeating his nemesis again on his least successful surface.
The right-hander won't be fazed by the Spaniard's clay court credentials seeing as he also has some decent statistics of his own coming into this match. Federer has won his last 12 of 13 matches in Madrid, 12 of his last 13 in Spain, and five of his last six on clay. What is worrying, however, is the fact that he has lost six of his last seven matches against Top 10 ranked players. That means it's one hell of a task to actually win this match against the guy who's top of the pile but at [1.16] we don't really want to be backing Nadal at that sort of price either.
My advice is to instead get on Federer +4.5 Games at [2.10] in the match handicap. Discounting Grand Slammatches, Nadal has won by more than 4.5 games on only one occasion from eight on clay. This price represents good value and is our best bet from today's mouth-watering encounter.
Recommended Bets:
Continued: Tennis Betting
What a match we have in prospect today, as former World No. 1 and record Grand Slam winner Roger Federer takes on Rafael Nadal, the Current World No.1, and greatest player to have ever graced the red dirt.
Federer and Nadal have contested the Madrid final the past two years, with the spoils shared at one apiece, the Spaniard winning in 2010 (6-4 7-6) and the Fed Express in 2009 (6-4 6-4). Nadal, who has won 37 matches in a row on clay, leads the overall head-to-head series 16-8, and 10-2 on this surface.
The fact Federer has a win against Nadal here in Madrid gives us every reason to have a small punt at this gigantic price offered on Federer in the match odds. I am unable to recall a time over the last seven years when Federer's starting price has been as large as the [7.0] currently on offer.
It's fair to say that the Spaniard, who has won his last 15 matches in a row on home turf, is unstoppable on this surface. However, as we've discussed already this week, the Madrid conditions are pretty unique for a match on clay. The speed and flight of the ball is very different due to the altitude, which affects the execution of your shots. Federer will never have a better chance of defeating his nemesis again on his least successful surface.
The right-hander won't be fazed by the Spaniard's clay court credentials seeing as he also has some decent statistics of his own coming into this match. Federer has won his last 12 of 13 matches in Madrid, 12 of his last 13 in Spain, and five of his last six on clay. What is worrying, however, is the fact that he has lost six of his last seven matches against Top 10 ranked players. That means it's one hell of a task to actually win this match against the guy who's top of the pile but at [1.16] we don't really want to be backing Nadal at that sort of price either.
My advice is to instead get on Federer +4.5 Games at [2.10] in the match handicap. Discounting Grand Slammatches, Nadal has won by more than 4.5 games on only one occasion from eight on clay. This price represents good value and is our best bet from today's mouth-watering encounter.
Recommended Bets:
Continued: Tennis Betting
