Tennis tips: Rafa Nadal in for rough ride in French Open semi-finals

Diego Schwartzman v Rafael Nadal

Total Match Games: Over 33.5

We are all set for a cracking semi-final between Diego Schwartzman and the King of Clay Rafa Nadal. Argentine player Schwartzman took out this year’s US Open champion – another clay lover Dominic Thiem – in the previous round, and has been playing some scintillating tennis in recent weeks.

Schwartzman beat Nadal in the quarter-finals of Rome in mid-September and will have no fear of the Rolland Garros icon. I can see this being a close affair and the Over 33.5 games looks a standout bet.

Schwartzman to win at least one set

Although Nadal is yet to drop a set in this year’s French Open I think Schwartzman can take at least one in this affair. In the previous round, Rafa came close to losing the first set against Jannik Sinner and arguably should have lost the second set. Nadal had no problem saying there was a bit of luck involved in that win, and this should be a more stern test. Schwartzman to win at least one set looks to represent some value.

Iga Swiatek and Nadia Podoroska

Total Match Games: Under 20.5

Both players involved in this semi-final have enjoyed remarkable runs to this point, and for one it will end here. Iga Swiatek is the red-hot favourite to win the tournament having taken out Simona Halep with relative ease before a straightforward quarter-final win over Martina Trevisan. . I fear the worst for Nadia Podoroska in this match and think the powerful hitting Swiatek will book her place in the Final with a straightforward straight-sets win. Under 20.5 games looks the play here.