CAN BELLUCCI DERAIL NADAL IN THE ROLAND GARROS FOURTH ROUND

French Open favourite, Rafael Nadal is gearing up for a battle against Brazilian tennis prodigy Thomaz Bellucci in the men’s singles fourth round today. Nadal, a four-time French Open champion, will aim to avoid a repeat of last year's shocking fourth round exit to Robin Soderling, which derailed him from his course for a fifth French Open in a row. Odds on Nadal to advance into the quarters and extend his run are favourable; in fact more than favourable, listed at William Hill at a whopping best price of 1/50.
Bellucci, 22, is playing some of the best tennis of his young career, highlighted by a significant rise up the rankings this season and underscored in Paris further by reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam event for the first time in his career.
There is a nervous trepidation in the market that it would be déjà vu all over again for Nadal. But beating Nadal is a monumental task; just look at his odds again and you get the picture. To repeat: a whopping 1/50 bet is Nadal.
Not only are bookies serving Rafa up as the sure bet in this match but also punters are sure to make little money on Nadal in this market.
Going back to Bellucci for the moment, he is a solid puppy, trading at a discouraging 12/1 price. Certainly, punters stand to clean up huge should he punch above his weight class and mastermind the biggest upset of this year’s Roland Garros but what the chances of him doing so are is a question that needs to be considered seriously.
A gander at the performance markets casts further light on the matter. Bookies favour a straightforward affair at 2/9 irrespective of the winner. You can guess the expected winner surely – Nadal is a 1/4 favourite to win in straight sets. To put a finer point on it: Bellucci by contrast is 50/1 bet to win in straights.
A four set affair is going for 16/5 while a five set marathon is an 11/1 bet. Nadal to be pushed to four or five sets is at a best price of 4/1 and 10/1, respectively. Bellucci to force the issue in four or five sets is a 33/1 and 18/1 bet, respectively.