ATP Finals, Group Stage, Sunday, 13.11.2022
What do you call it when the biggest names in the current world rankings come together? In the coming days, our tennis tips will revolve around the ATP Finals, which will once again be held in Turin!
Admittedly, from a German perspective we would have loved to see Alexander Zverev, but after his injury and the resulting loss of a few places, it wasn’t enough in 2022. But don’t panic: The star density is nevertheless high.
One who has to hold up the flag of Spain will duel with his compatriot’s successor on Sunday evening. In my Nadal Fritz tip, I now reveal why both are listed with similar odds at Bet3000 and I would bet on a heated 3-setter!
It’s a bit of rocket science, even for us: how to correctly assess Rafael Nadal! With Carlos Alcaraz out due to injury, there is only one Spaniard in Turin.
Nadal and the ATP Finals, it has been known for years that this combination is not the greatest love story in tennis. In an incredible career in which he has won virtually everything, he is actually still missing this title.
2010 and 2013, long ago, he made it to the final twice but conceded defeats to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Will he be a candidate for the final again now, in 2022?
Of course, it would help to be able to assess his form correctly. After his withdrawal before the semi-finals at Wimbledon, which was now just over four months ago, he reappeared in New York.
He struggled badly at the US Open, and was consequently eliminated by Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16. Nadal withdrew and said goodbye to Roger Federer in the doubles at the Laver Cup.
The fact that the veteran no longer plays every tournament is nothing new, but his break before the Masters in Paris also had a nice reason: The Grand Slam record champion became a father for the first time!
Unfortunately, the birth of his son did not give him a sporting tailwind, as Nadal was not among the participants for long in the French capital. 6-3, 6-7, 6-1, he already failed in the 1st round against Tommy Paul.
And so it is that he is listed as a narrow favourite before his first duel. Our bookmakers provide an average of 1.80 to 2.00. Of course, fans of the Spaniard will know: Taylor Fritz could have a score to settle.
In Wimbledon, the two put on an incredible fight that ended in a close 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 for Nadal after hours. However, in the same year, a little earlier in Indian Wells, Fritz had struck 6-3, 7-6.
For a long time, the American had not expected to be allowed to play in the finals at all. A strong year overall would have ended on rank nine, but due to the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz, he has now slipped into the field of participants.
Taking self-confidence with him from Paris? What Nadal didn’t succeed in, I also look for in vain with Fritz. He survived the first round against Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina, but Gilles Simon was surprisingly too big for him.
It seems a bit like the 25-year-old is longing for the break. Will he even be able to pull himself together for a first final? After the embarrassment at the US Open, a loss to Brandon Holt in the opener, he injured himself in the only appearance of the Laver Cup.
After a few weeks off, he snatched the title in Japan. A surrender of Nick Kyrgios, three times three sets and four won tiebreaks, in this tournament he definitely had a big portion of luck as well.
In Vienna it was the same at the beginning, Fritz only narrowly beat Yoshihito Nishioka. Only to lose to Denis Shapovalov a few days later. No question, the American did not bring his absolute top form to Turin.
Rafael Nadal and his current form, paired with his state of health, how can one really classify it? Only on the court will we see how fit the Spaniard really is and how he is coping with the curse of the finals.
It’s not his favourite competition at all, Taylor Fritz knows that. The American has not necessarily attracted positive attention in recent months, and in Paris both players disappointed in lockstep.
I can’t and don’t want to commit to a definite favourite at the end. Both bring their weaknesses, but can also benefit from their fighting spirit. Therefore, I also recommend the following bet:
We see three sets!
