The French Open is the one Grand Slam tournament where Rafael Nadal shines the brightest, and he was certainly radiant is his first-round match of the tournament this Tuesday. Can Nadal keep up his stellar play at Roland Garros this Thursday, or will Facundo Bagnis cast a dark shadow over the Spaniard?
Let’s take a closer look at this intriguing matchup below. Afterwards, head over to our previews as well for Djokovic vs. Darcis and Tsonga vs. Baghdatis for a couple of other smashing second-round French Open matches worth placing some stakes on.
There’s no denying that Rafael Nadal is Roland Garros’ Chosen One, having won an unprecedented nine French Open titles – all within the last 11 years. It’s now 2016, and the Spaniard doesn’t appear to be through with his Parisian dominance just yet.
This past Tuesday, Nadal put on another clinical performance by demolishing Australia’s Sam Groth in the opening round of the tournament in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1. The World No. 5 overcame Groth’s 10-1 edge in aces by winning over 85 percent of his chances on both first- and second-serve points – all in just a little under 90 minutes of action.
Although Nadal hasn’t faced his second-round opponent in Facundo Bagnis before, his gleaming record at Roland Garros is still more than enough evidence that he will find little to no resistance in the earlier rounds of the tournament. He only has two career loses at the French Open, with his latest defeat coming in the quarterfinals against almighty Novak Djokovic in 2015, which was also his most injury-riddled year to date.
Now in tip-top shape and hot off an authoritative victory, there seems to be no stopping Rafa and his clay court-conquering quest for a record 10th French Open title.
Betting on Facundo Bagnis
Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis is actually having a stellar 2016 season, having won three titles between January and March. On the other hand, those three wins were from mere ATP Challenger tournaments, and all were held in his beloved continent of South America (in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago, specifically).
It’s Bagnis’ fourth trip to Roland Garros this year, and this could be his best and only moment to make a solid push in Paris. This is the first time that the 26-year-old lefty didn’t have to go through the qualifying rounds, and he had already failed to qualify on two of his three previous cracks at the French Open’s tournament proper.
The last time that Bagnis made it to the actual opening round of the tournament was in 2014 when he beat relative unknown Julien Benneteau, only to fall to Latvian Ernests Gulbis in straight sets in the succeeding stage.
So far, Bagnis is off to a solid start this time around after his 6-0, 6-2, 7-6 victory over France’s Kenny de Schepper on Tuesday. Then again, Rafael Nadal is one heck of a jump on level of competition and there’s not much else we can say in support of the Argentinian other than he’s a one-time first-round winner at the French Open.
Compare that to Nadal’s insane 70-2 record at Roland Garros, and it’s no wonder then why the bookies have Rafa as the overwhelming favorite of their showdown this Thursday.
Writer’s Prediction
Nadal (-8,000) makes quick work of another foe in straight sets; 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.
Create a betting account now to cash in from the exciting men’s and women’s first-round matches at the 2016 French Open.
