We’ve reached the business end with our 2022 French Open predictions and are eyeing a 7.38 double from the men’s semi-finals at Roland Garros.
Both of the women’s semis were one-sided affairs won by the favourites, but we’re hoping for slightly more competitive contests today.
Rafael Nadal to beat Alexander Zverev 3-1 @ 3.6
Hands up all those who doubted Nadal on clay against Novak Djokovic and then vowed never to make the same mistake again!
Nadal shrugged off a chronic foot injury to beat arch-rival, defending champion and world number one Djokovic in four gruelling sets on Tuesday night.
The 13-time title holder is celebrating his 36th birthday today but that performance was built on the power, energy and physicality that has served him so well throughout his incredible career.
Perhaps it is the fear of time running out that is spurring Nadal on, as he said: “I’m going to be playing this tournament because we are doing the things to be ready to play this tournament, but I don’t know what’s going to happen after here.
“I mean, I have what I have there in the foot, so if we are not able to find an improvement or a small solution on that, then it’s becoming super difficult for me. So that’s it.
“I am just enjoying every day that I have the chance to be here – and without thinking much about what can happen in the future. So, just to give myself a chance to play another semi-final here in Roland Garros (provides) a lot of energy for me.”
Zverev showed enough in his 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-6 defeat of Nadal’s heir apparent Carlos Alcaraz to make things uncomfortable, but it is the undisputed King of Clay he is facing this time, rather than just a talented youngster.
Marin Cilic to win more than one set vs Casper Ruud @ 2.05
Ruud did us a favour when seeing off Danish teenager Holger Rune 6-1 4-6 7-6 6-3, but we didn’t see too much for Cilic to fear from that performance.
The Norwegian eighth seed held his nerve best at key moments in a tense encounter, but the overall quality of that match looked fairly moderate.
Croatian veteran Cilic, who won the US Open in 2014, overcame Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev in thrilling fashion after a deciding-set tie-break.
In doing so, he became only the fifth active player to have reached the last four of every grand slam after Roger Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray.
“The win comes from being me, I played that kind of tennis the whole match,” declared the 33-year-old. “Especially the fifth set was an incredible battle.
“Andrey played incredibly well, it was an incredibly fair-play performance on the court. A lot of heart. One had to go down and today was my day, but Andrey also played an incredible match. Bad luck to him.”
Cilic has always been hampered by inconsistency but has all the ability in the world when in the right frame of mind – and his mood definitely seems right at the moment.
He should find Ruud’s service game manageable and it was tempting to back the underdog to progress, but this bet will suffice in our French Open predictions.
Join bwin today and receive a 100% Deposit Bonus up to $200. Terms and conditions apply.
