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Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray– 2014 Men’s French Open Semifinals, Betting Preview and Prediction

Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray– 2014 Men’s French Open Semifinals, Betting Preview and Prediction

Just as we predicted in our preview of their quarterfinal match, Rafael Nadal beat David Ferrer to set up a thrilling duel versus Andy Murray.

Ferrer failed to stop Nadal. But will it be Murray who will take down the reigning champion, and send shockwaves across Roland Garros?

Create a betting account now and read on for everything you need to bet on what could be one of Nadal’s last great moments at the French Open.

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Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray, Men’s French Open Semifinal Preview

Where: Roland Garros

When: June 6, 4:00 AM ET

Line: Rafael Nadal (-600) vs. Andy Murray (+425) – view all Men’s French Open Lines

Betting on Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal’s streak of straight set victories ended early in the quarterfinals as Nadal lost the first set to countryman David Ferrer. Nonetheless, the reigning French Open champion coasted to an 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1 victory after that point to propel himself to a semifinals showdown against Andy Murray.

[sc:Other240banner ]Nadal holds a clear edge in the career head-to-head matchup against Murray. The Spaniard has won 14 of their 19 meetings, thus far. Of those 14 victories, five were played on his favorite clay surface. The last time Nadal lost to Murray was by default in the 2012 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami.

One way Nadal punishes his opponent on the clay court is by crushing them on his first serves. Look for Nadal to make full advantage of it against Murray. Nadal has converted 71% of his first serves in 21 clay court matches this year, tenth among all players.

Betting on Andy Murray

Andy Murray, Tennis, French Open

Fresh off overcoming a tough challenge from Gael Monfils via a 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0 victory in the quarterfinals, Murray will now face a top 20 player for the first time in this tournament.

Although the British hasn’t beaten Nadal on a clay surface in his career, Murray nevertheless gave the defending champion all he could handle in their previous match.

Murray pushed Nadal to the edge in their semifinal matchup of the Italian Open back in May, winning the first set convincingly before yielding the next two to take a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 defeat. In their next meeting, Murray will have to stay aggressive early, and it’s going to be important for him to take the first set.  Ferrer already did this to Nadal in the quarterfinals, but he was doomed by a series of unforced errors.

Murray had 48 unforced errors against Monfils, which largely caused the Frenchman to come back into the match after falling to a two-set deficit. Against an unforgiving champion in Nadal, Murray will have to limit those miscues.

Writer’s Prediction

Nadal (-600) trumps Murray, three sets to one.

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Rex
Written by Rex

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