Australian Open 2022, 2nd Round, Wednesday, 19.01.2022
The US Open a few months ago was firmly in German hands, will we also see the black-red-gold flags flying for a long time down under? Alexander Zverev is not the only one who wants to impress here at the Australian Open.
Qualifier Yannick Hanfmann was not necessarily expected to reach the 2nd round. As a reward, the 30-year-old must or may now play against a big player, so the bookmakers are sure: This is where his path ends. Can I confirm this prediction in my Hanfmann Nadal tip?
Yannik Hanfmann’s qualifying run was a real hussar’s ride. It wouldn’t have taken much for the German to go home before the tournament even started.
6-7, 7-5, 6-0 he won his first round, then he followed it up twice with 7-6, 7-6. It couldn’t have been much closer, but it was all the more impressive how he beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in the main draw.
6-2, 6-3, 6-2 – his opponent did not use a single break chance. Last year, Hanfmann had played in the big ones for the first time, but as expected he had no chance against Andrey Rublev.
It obviously didn’t hurt him not to have played a tournament since October. Nevertheless, nobody expects him to be able to really pull something off against Rafael Nadal. The only duel between the two took place almost three years ago at the French Open.
With 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 it went more than clearly to the Spaniard. The odds foreshadow a similar match. At Unibet, a German win would even carry a 21.00, while Nadal is struggling to even get to a 1.01.
Roger Federer is injured, Novak Djokovic has been sent home – Rafael Nadal’s motivation should therefore be boundless. Although he is coming back from injury himself, whoever has the chance to make history will be at his best.
He can be the first player to snatch his 21st Grand Slam tournament win! No one really knew what the 35-year-old would be capable of, but after his 1st round he earned accolades from all quarters.
6-1, 6-4, 6-2 against Marcos Giron, what a convincing start! He won 84% of his first serve and only gave the US American two break chances, neither of which he was able to take.
He had won in Melbourne at the preparatory tournament, but struggled a little to triumph with close results. In Djokovic’s absence, the Spaniard wants to show that he can also cope with the Australian Open.
He last reached the final here in 2017 and 2019, losing to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer respectively. It’s now 13 years since Nadal achieved his first and last win Down Under, so it’s time for a second!
My Hemp Man Nadal Tip
Not everyone expected him to be as convincing as Rafael Nadal was in his 1st round performance.
The German was still very changeable in qualifying, but his performance in Round 1 was phenomenal. Since his opponent was of course not on the level of a Rafael Nadal, I don’t believe in the sensation here.
Nadal himself can decide when the match will be over. I don’t think it will be too long and exhausting.
My tip: There are less than 31.5 games!
