Nadal (+225) Has The Second-Best Odds To Win The Australian Open

That was the best football game of all-time, this was the game winner 🔥 — let’s talk Nadal vs. Shapovalov 👇

Denis Shapovalov vs. Rafael Nadal Preview

For the fourteenth time in Rafael Nadal’s career, he’ll be playing in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open — that’s tied with John Newcombe for the second most all-time, and one behind Roger Federer’s 15. However, it wasn’t easy

• Nadal beat fellow left-hander Adrian Mannarino 7-6(14), 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday

• Their tiebreaker in the first set lasted 28 minutes and 40 seconds

Nadal will now face Denis Shapovalov, the 22-year-old Canadian, who beat Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev to reach the last eight in Australia for the very first time. When Shapovalov was told he would be facing Rafa in the quarterfinals, his reaction was priceless 😂

Australian Open Quarterfinals

• Moneyline: Shapovalov +225 (bet $100, win $225), Nadal -280 (bet $280, win $100)

• The lines will likely change throughout the day

Brink Of History

Nadal is three wins away from a men’s record 21st Grand Slam singles title. If you’ve forgotten, let me jog your memory on the dominance of tennis’ three-headed monster…

Most Grand Slam Men’s Singles Titles in Tennis History

• Roger Federer - 20

• Novak Djokovic - 20

• Rafael Nadal - 20

• Pete Sampras - 14

• Roy Emerson - 12

Novak Djokovic didn’t meet Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination rules, while Federer is recovering from injury. That means Nadal is the only one of the trio playing in this tournament, leaving him with a great opportunity to separate himself from the rest of the pack 😤

Trivia question: Since Federer won his first major back in 2003, how many players other than Nadal or Djokovic have won a major tournament? (answer below)

No Faith In Rafa?

Even without Federer or Djokovic in the field, Vegas oddsmakers didn’t have Nadal as the favorite. Take a look at the opening lines, and where they’ve moved to heading into the quarterfinals 👇

Opening Odds for the Australian Open (lines subject to change as several matches were played last night)

• Daniil Medvedev: opened at +140, now at -110

• Alexander Zverev: opened at +240, eliminated

• Rafael Nadal: opened at +600, now +225

• Jannik Sinner: opened at +1800, now +1600

• Stefanos Tsitsipas: opened at +2000, now +1400

• Denis Shapovalov: opened at +6600, now +1700

• See here for current Australian Open futures

With a chip on his shoulder, Nadal will be up against a familiar foe in Shapovalov. These two players have faced off five times, with Rafa winning three of those matches. However, none of those took place in a Grand Slam tournament

Shapovalov was a semifinalist at Wimbledon last year, his career-best run at a major, and he reached the US Open quarterfinals in 2020. In this David vs. Goliath matchup, the only thing on Shapovalov’s side is that he’s facing Nadal at the Australian Open — a tournament he hasn’t won since 2009 👀

• Djokovic has won the last three, five of the last seven, and eight of the last eleven

For My Parlay Gurus

For the 45th time, Nadal is in the last eight at a Grand Slam tournament — that ranks third all-time behind Federer (58) and Djokovic (51). So, to say he’s used to this kind of pressure is an understatement. I’m taking Nadal in over three totals sets and Matteo Berrettini to beat Gaël Monfils in my quarterfinals parlay 👇

• Rafael Nadal -280 vs. Denis Shapovalov

• Over 3.5 total sets: -170

• Matteo Berrettini -175 vs. Gaël Monfils

Throwing down $100 on this parlay would result in a $239 payout. If this hits, make sure to email [email protected] for $100**. First come, first serve 💰

Trivia answer: Since 2003, only six players have won a major tournament not named Federer, Nadal or Djokovic — Juan Martin Del Potro (1), Andy Murray (3), Stan Wawrinka (3), Marin Čilić (1), Dominic Thiem (1) and Daniil Medvedev (1)