Nadal v Wawrinka Tip

I said a couple of days ago I would await the return of the ‘old Nadal’ before I changed my betting strategy for his matches. Well, the seven-time champion looked well and truly back on Monday.

Celebrating his 27th birthday, the Spaniard demolished 13th seed Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-1 6-2 in a match that only got more one-sided as it progressed. Nadal’s post-match comments tell you all you need to know: “My feeling today when I was hitting my forehand was that I wasn’t going to miss.”

With Rafa’s most devastating weapon back in his arsenal, I’m backing Stanislas Wawrinka to take under 12.5 games in this quarter-final at best odds of 23/20 with BetVictor.

The Swiss baseliner has a wretched record against the world number four, trailing as he does 9-0 having never won so much as a set. The 9th seed is also likely to be exhausted from his 6-7 4-6 6-4 7-5 8-6 marathon match with Richard Gasquet in the last round.