ATP French Open: Nadal Begins Bid to Reclaim his Clay Kingdom

Four-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal threw down the gauntlet when he won all three major clay-court titles in the lead up to the French Open.

The Spaniard is bent on reclaiming his Parisian Kingdom with an emphatic "VAMOS!" becoming the first man to complete a so-called “Clay Slam,” winning all four major clay court titles during a season.

Nadal begins his bid for a fifth French Open crown (seventh overall Grand Slam title) against home favourite Gianni Mina (who?). Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of him, you shall be introduced (below); for that matter, most likely, neither has Nadal. Uncle Toni will have done some scouting, surely.

Mina is an 18-year-old, born in Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, but calls Paris, France home. At 6’1” (185 cm) and a ranking of No.655 in the ATP, he enters the tournament on a wild card. He is often compared to Gael Monfils, in look and game style, and he favours clay.

Mina finished 2009 as the world No.2 ranked junior, underscored by a runner-up finish in Roland Garros.

The home edge Mina will certainly enjoy could make this a tricky match. The crowd will be well and truly behind one of their own and that could make for a charged atmosphere. Of course, it will come down to Mina and whether he can capitalize on such an edge against the world’s best clay-courter.

What affect will the man on the opposite side of the net have on him? Will he cow or rise to the occasion and staredown Nadal like no other whippersnapper has done before? 

Not only do Nadal’s outrageous odds negate betting against him but his form on clay this season has earned him bets, even when so far flug on the favourite plane.

In 32 markets in this match, tennis bettors looking to back Mina will be hard pressed to find a price that isn’t hallucinatory. This doesn’t mean Mina can’t do the unthinkable. Anything in theory is possible. It is just that the likelihood of it happening is slim to none.

For example, Mina is a 100/1 bet to win in three sets, a 66/1 bet to win in four and a 40/1 bet to win in five. Nadal is a 1/16 bet to win in straights (the popular bet), a 7/1 bet to win 3-1 and a 25/1 to win 3-2. The latter two are not favoured outcomes by the bookies clearly.

The markets point to a straight set affair, overwhelmingly. The price for a three-setter is 1/16 irrespective of the winner.

Nadal is the favoured to take the first set at 1/33 odds. Mina is a 10/1 bet to shock Nadal in the first set.

Interestingly, Nadal is favoured to win the first set 6-2 or 6-3 at 12/5 or 17/5, respectively. A blow out, a 6-0 scoreline, is trading at 9/2 and a 6-4 set score is going for 6/1.  Whichever you like best, it is clear the bookies suggest this will be a beat down.