2008 Pacific Life Open
2007 Pacific Life Defending Champion Rafael Nadal has a chance at revenge when he meets Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the fourth round of the 2008 Pacific Life Open. Tsonga defeated Nadal in straight sets at this year’s Australian Open. Bodog.com has Nadal as -180 odds favorite over Tsonga who is listed as +140 underdog. Get your ATP Pick in now at Bodog.com
World No. 2 Nadal had no problem getting past 18-year-old American wild card Donald Young, Nadal won 6-1, 6-3. He had way more experience than the 18 year old. Young managed to go toe to toe during a couple rallies but it simply wasn’t meant to be. Young won just seven of 17 points when he went to the net and Nadal was 6-of-7. Young made 38 unforced errors, 13 more than his Spanish opponent. The kid was nervous never having played in front of a large crowd. Nadal played Tsonga during the 2007 US Open in which Nadal won 7-6 (3) 6-2 6-1. Nadal has 23 career titles compared to Tsongas zero. To date Nadal made it to the final at the Chennai Open, Semi-final at the 2008 Australian Open and he made the quarter-final in Dubai. He’s 12-4 this year. Bet this ATP Pick at Bodog!
Tsonga, ranked 16th, grinded out a 7-6(5), 6-4 win against compatriot Paul-Henri Mathieu in one hour and 48 minutes. Tsonga’s best finish to date was making it into the 2008 Australian Open final, only to lose to the World’s best Roger Federer. He made the Semi-final at the Adelaide International. Besides that he’s not much of a threat. He has wins on the doubles circuit but no single titles. His record this year is 10-4.
Rafael Nadal vs Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Serve: Wed, Mar 19, 2008 1:00 PM ET
Line: Bodog
Pick: Nadal -180
The Bottom Line: Tsongas run for glory at the Australian Open was a huge fluke. Don’t expect to see him in the finals of too many tourneys. Experience trumps the underdog. Get your ATP Pick in now at Bodog and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
