Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Rafael Nadal Prediction & Betting Tips - US Open

Prediction published on 29/08/2019, 05:20  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 01/09/2019 at 13:22 in Tennis Predictions

Rafael Nadal is the second seed at the US Open. He's already won one Grand Slam title this season and is bidding to win this title for the second time in three years. Nadal reached the last four here in 2018 but had to retire injured. He's fit this time around and has been incredibly consistent in Grand Slam events this year. He lost in the final in Australia, won the French title and lost to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semi-final. Nadal has only failed once in the last eight Grand Slam tournaments to reach at least the last four. Nadal may be second in the world rankings but in the Race to London for the Tour finals, he is top of the rankings. He made a good start to this US Open campaign with a straight sets win over John Millman losing only seven games.

Now he takes on another Australian in Thanasi Kokkinakis. He's ranked 240th in the world and is best known for knocking out Roger Federer at last year's Miami Open. The Australian has had a few injury problems this year and missed both the French and Wimbledon championships. HIs highest ever ranking is 132nd achieved earlier this year. Kokkinakis reached the semi-final of a tournament held in Winnetka but had to pull out due to injury. His best win of the year came when beating Lucas Pouille in Los Cabos, Mexico earlier this month. He beat qualifier Ilya Ivashka in the first round winning in four sets. The tip for this match against the second seed is for Nadal to win in straight sets.