Rafael Nadal vs Matteo Berrettini AO 2022 SF Preview and Prediction

With the absence of each Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic this fortnight, solely Rafael Nadal has had the chance to drag forward within the slam leaderboard. The Spaniard will face Matteo Berrettini for a spot within the last, the place Daniil Medvedev appears the almost certainly opponent. Nadal has been a finalist in Melbourne 5 instances however has solely received the title as soon as with a 5 set win again in 2009.

Nadal will want all the remainder he can following his gruelling 5 set win over Denis Shapovalov within the quarter finals. He was two units up earlier than abdomen points hit, permitting the Canadian to take it right into a decider. He broke early earlier than displaying nice willpower to carry till the tip and safe the win. “I don’t know, [it] was slightly little bit of miracle. I used to be destroyed truthfully, bodily,” Nadal stated after. “However my serve labored effectively, and for me, each sport that I used to be successful with my serve was a victory. That was my aim, simply attempt to win video games with my serve and anticipate for the prospect on the return.”

Berrettini will seemingly be extra disenchanted along with his failure to shut out a 2-0 lead in opposition to Gael Monfils. He did hit 50 winners within the 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2 win over the Frenchman, making it now three slams out of 4 he has made the semis or higher at now. He can be ruing his failure to take break factors within the third, particularly with the potential profit on this match offered by a straight ahead win. “I assumed I had him within the third set after which I discovered myself within the fifth. However I actually fought arduous and put every part on the courtroom and that’s the reason I’m actually comfortable.” he stated afterwards.

Nadal shouldn’t be at an excessive amount of of a drawback bodily as each matches went the gap however it would rely upon how he has recovered in any other case. The nice and cozy afternoon circumstances ought to swimsuit Nadal who will get a greater bounce than normal, which can make issues tough for Berrettini if he drops his degree even slightly. The Italian is a strong high 10 participant these days however has typically been uncovered by the very best of the very best and it ought to occur once more right here – particularly with a weak (though enhancing) backhand. If Nadal can dictate as all of us anticipate, his opponent is unlikely to have the ability to deal with the stress.

Prediction – Rafael Nadal in 4 units