Denis Shapovalov v Rafael Nadal Betting Tips [25 January 2022]

Not since 2009 has Rafa Nadal won the Australian Open. He continues his bid to win a record 21st Grand Slam when taking on Denis Shapovalov in the quarter finals. Nadal didn't win a Grand Slam last year, not even in Paris. That was the first calendar year without lifting a Grand Slam trophy since 2016. He did only play two events though and ended his year early due to injury but has made an excellent start to 2022. Nadal won a tournament held in Melbourne, though he didn't take on any players ranked in the top 60. His run of good form has continued in this Grand Slam with only one set lost to Karen Khachanov. Nadal has lost four Australian Open titles since that win 13 years ago. 

Also making a good start to the new year is the 14th seeded Denis Shapovalov. He represented Canada in the ATP Cup and lifted the trophy, winning three of his four matches. Only one top 50 player (Pablo Carreno Busta) was beaten and he lost to Dan Evans. Last year saw the Canadian reach the last four at Wimbledon but this is only his third ever Grand Slam quarter final. He'd never got past the third round of the Australian Open before this tournament. It's not been the easiest of runs to the last eight for Shapovalov with four sets lost so far. He was two sets to one down against Kwon-Soon-Woo but the last round saw him beat third seeded Alexander Zverev in straight sets. Of four completed matches against Nadal, he's lost three of them. Go for Nadal to win this.