ATP Australian Open Semi-Final: Nadal v Federer Odds and Betting Preview

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Rafael Nadal faces Roger Federer early on Thursday morning in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, a tie which will be filling tennis fans around the world with excited anticipation. The two players have met 26 times in their careers, producing some of the best sporting contests in recent memory, but although Nadal leads the head-to-head 17-9 it is Roger Federer who starts Thursday’s game as the favourite to secure victory. Federer can currently be backed to do so at a market best of 4/6 (bet £6 to make £4 profit) with Ladbrokes, whilst the Spaniard is on offer to make it through to the final at a top price of 7/5 with Bet365.

Federer made his way into the semi-final with a masterful 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who he had not faced in a major tournament since del Potro’s victory in the 2009 US Open final. Federer looked utterly imperious, winning the game in just over two hours with an unending flurry of beautiful groundstrokes. The World Number 3 has been on superb form of late, and will fancy his chances on the hard courts in Melbourne, where he has lifted the trophy four times during his career.

Rafael Nadal progressed to this stage of the tournament via a much more difficult route, fighting for an exhausting four hours and 16 minutes to beat Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. Nadal lost the first set on a tie break, but then when Berdych squandered a set point chance to go 2-0 up the balance of the game shifted, and Nadal eventually fought to a 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. The Spaniard won his 10th Grand Slam title in 2011 with a victory at the Roland Garros, and is hoping to claim his second title at the Australian Open.

In the set betting Federer is currently quoted at best odds of 10/3 with William Hill to win the game in straight sets, although many punters will think that a more closely fought contest is inevitable. For those punters who are of this opinion, a 3-2 victory in sets for Federer can be backed at 11/2 with Skybet, whilst a 3-2 victory for Nadal is available at a slightly longer 7/1 with Stan James. Nadal is currently on offer to win the match 3-0 at a market best of 13/2 with Blue Square.

The first set may prove to be crucial in this match, setting the tone for this contest and determining who eventually ends up in the final. Federer starts the game as the favourite to take the first set, and can be backed to do so at 8/11 with Ladbrokes. Nadal, on the other hand, is on offer to go 1-0 up in sets at a slightly longer 6/5 with Coral.

Federer possesses a stronger first service than his Spanish rival, and is therefore deemed more likely to hit the first ace of the match at 4/11 with Ladbrokes; Nadal can be backed at 2/1 with Ladbrokes. At the same time, however, Federer is thought more likely to make the first double fault of the match at 5/6 with Stan James, whilst Nadal is available to do so at evens with Ladbrokes.

In the overall tournament betting, World Number 1 and reigning champion Novak Djokovic is favourite to win the title at 11/10 with Blue Square. Federer can currently be backed at 5/2 with Skybet, whilst Nadal is on offer at 5/1 with the same bookmakers. British hopes are focused upon Andy Murray, who is available at the same odds of 5/1 with Paddy Power.

Play starts at 08.30 GMT

Federer v Nadal Match Odds

Federer v Nadal Set Betting

Federer v Nadal First Set Betting

Federer v Nadal First Ace Betting

Federer v Nadal First Double Fault Betting

Australian Open Title Odds