Nadal Favourite For Another Barcelona Success

Atp Barcelona

Tennis
Published: 20/04/2015

Spaniard Rafael Nadal is the favourite to take home the Barcelona Open title. It is a tournament at which the 28-year-old has previously thrived, having secured the top prize on eight occasions between the years of 2005 and 2013. Indeed Kei Nishikori`s success last year was the first time that a non-Spanish player had picked up the trophy in 11 years.

Despite his quarter-final loss to compatriot Nicolas Almagro last year (6-2, 6-7, 4-6), his first defeat in the tournament since his first appearance at the age of 16, Nadal is the 5/4 market leader in the betting to get his hands on the top honours once again. This best price is available at Betvictor.

Ranked at number four in the world, Nadal has just picked up the one trophy this year, securing the Buenos Aires Open on his preferred clay. He did not drop a set for the entirety of that competition. Otherwise, his tournament appearances have been disappointing, losing out to Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open (2-6, 0-6, 6-7) before failing to give Novak Djokovic any real competition in the semi-final of the Monte Carlo Masters last time out. That match ended 6-3, 6-3 to the Serb.

Nadal will either play Paolo Lorenzi or Nicolas Amalgro in the second round, he hoping to not make the same mistake as in 2014 should he come up against the latter.

His victory in this competition last year means that Kei Nishikori is the number one seed this time around and the second-favourite in the betting with all bookmakers. The 25-year-old Japanese player, who defeated Ecuadorian Santiago Girado 6-2, 6-2 in last season`s final, can be backed at the best price of 7/2 at both boylesports and Stan James. The world number five has twice reached the final of ATP tournaments this year. The first came in the hard court Memphis tournament, defeating the South African Kevin Anderson in straight sets (6-4, 6-4). On his competition reappearance, he would go on to reach the final of the Acapulco Open in Mexico but would fail to get the better of David Ferrer, the 6-3, 7-5 victor.

Nishikori awaits either Spain`s Pablo Carreno Busta or Russia`s Teymuraz Gabashvili in the second round. That first round encounter takes place later on this afternoon.

The Shimane born star could meet Acapulco victor Ferrer in the semi-finals of the Torneo Godo, the Spaniard the current third favourite in the betting market. It is still possible to get the best price of 8/1 on Ferrer at Stan James.

Whilst the 33-year-old is yet to lift the Barcelona trophy, he is a four-time finalist, making the final two in both 2008 and 2009 and in 2011 and 2012. He met his compatriot Nadal on all four occasions. He has also lost to Nadal in the Monte Carlo Masters this year (4-6, 7-5, 2-6), not offering much promise should the pair meet again in this tournament.

Despite this, Ferrer is actually in pretty good shape, having taken the plaudits not only in Mexico but also formerly in Doho and Rio de Janeiro. Such success gives the Javea-born star a momentum this time around and he will face either Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis or Spanish wildcard Albert Montanes in the competition`s second stage.

Among the big priced contenders we have Great British qualifier James Ward who will kick off his campaign against Marcel Ilhan in the hope of meeting Feliciano Lopez in the second round. Ward is a 500/1 shot at Betvictor.

Otherwise, the likes of Fernando Verdasco (50/1 - Betvictor, boylesports) and Pablo Andujar (500/1 - betfred) will also be looking to continue Spain`s good run in their host competition.

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (20/04/2015) but are subject to change.

20/04/2015     © Frixo 2024

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