Red hot Rafael Nadal ready to make short work of Gasquet
Published:The good news for Richard Gasquet is that he’s in a Grand Slam semi-final for just the second time in his career, but the bad news is that he’s facing Rafael Nadal.
Having won a challenger against the man from Manacor 10 years ago, Gasquet has subsequently been on the receiving end of 10 straight defeats to Nadal, with each of the most recent five coming in straight sets.
Ahead of this last four meeting at Flushing Meadows, 2010 US Open winner Rafa is arguably in greater form than he ever was during those victories.
A huge 1/20 favourite for the match, the Spaniard has won all of his 20 matches on hard courts in 2013 and has been in ruthless form in New York so far, losing just one set en route to the semis.
Having dropped just four games on the way to his quarter-final demolition of Tommy Robredo, Nadal is now just 2/5 to beat Gasquet in straight sets and book a place in his third successive US Open final, having missed out on last year’s tournament due to his injury-ravaged 2012.
Those problems are now a thing of the past though, and backing the current world No. 2 to dispose of his French opponent quickly has to be recommended ahead of their last four meeting on Saturday night.
With Nadal having needed fewer than 28 games to win four of his five matches at this year’s tournament at Flushing Meadows, the 4/5 on offer on the contest with Gasquet needing that amount or less should certainly be given consideration.
Under 27.5 games – which was the case in three of the Spanish ace’s wins in New York this year – is available at 11/10, whilst backing Nadal with a -9.5 game handicap should also tempt at the same price.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication
