World number two Rafael Nadal will take on the resurgent Tomas Berdych in the fourth round of the 2019 Australian Open in what can be expected to be a super Super Sunday of tennis.
Watch & bet on Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych live with bet365 here* on Sunday, January 20. The Nadal v Berdych match timings will be announced soon.
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Nadal v Berdych Head to Head
As you would expect between two top players aged 32 and 33 respectively, there have been a huge number of encounters between them in the past. Of the 23 matches played, Nadal has won 19 but what’s interesting to note is they last played as long ago as in 2015.
Also, the match before that previous match-up was at the 2015 Australian Open and Berdych had won that quarter-final in straight sets to make it his best showing at this Grand Slam.
Nadal Running through the Aussies
World number 2 Rafael Nadal, returning from his long injury lay-off, continued his strong showing at the Australian Open, defeating Australian Alex De Minaur in straight sets, 6-1,6-2,6-4.
The Aussie has had an impressive run, and a lot was made of the match-up, but Nadal did not ever let his opponent settle and it was a powerful performance. Nadal notched up his 250th Grand Slam victory, with this win.
With a somewhat revamped forehand, the Spaniard serve seems faster, and more suited to the Melbourne courts. Nadal faced a break point in his opening service game, but delivered a solid all round performance thereafter.
The Australian gave it his all, and showed some of the promise expected to make him a contender in the future. However, the explosive Nadal performance, was too much for him to handle.
Nadal continues his strong return from a long injury lay-off. His next opponent is Czech veteran Tomas Berdych.
Berdych – Can the Czech Veteran Beat Old Foe Nadal?
Czech Tomas Berdych, like Nadal is also returning from a long injury layoff, missing the second half of 2018. Following an impressive run at the ATP 250 in Doha, Berdych has continued his form at the first three rounds of the Australian Open.
His most recent win was a four-set duel against Argentine Diego Schwartzman.
After losing the first set, Berdych delivered a solid, all-round performance, to win 5-7,6-3,7-5,6-4. Berdych has been serving well throughout the tournament, and in his third round encounter, his powerful forehand, and skills at the net, were on display.
The Czech seems to have recovered well from the back issues that kept him out of the second half of 2018, and continues to grow in confidence.
Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych Tips & Predictions
Both players have had a good run this January, returning from injury breaks. It promises to be a battle between the explosive Nadal game , and the big serving Berdych. Berdych is a familiar opponent for Nadal, and one where the match-up has heavily favored the Spaniard.
While Berdych has the potential to upset the best, Nadal is growing in confidence, and getting more ominous every round. Berdych to push Nadal, more than anyone has thus far, but Nadal to win in three or four sets..
You can watch & bet on Rafael Nadal v Tomas Berdych live with bet365 here on Sunday, January 20.
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