Dominic Thiem vs Rafael Nadal Tennis Prediction

These two players have met seven times on clay with Rafael Nadal leading the H2H 5-2. Thiem got his two wins over Nadal in Buenos Aires 2016 (SF) and Rome Masters 2017 (QF). In fact, the quarterfinal defeat in the Rome Masters was Nadal’s only loss on clay in the last 15 months.
Irrespective of his opponent, Rafael Nadal will always start a clay match as the favorite. That said, if anyone’s going to beat him on clay at the moment, it will be Dominic Thiem.

Dominic Thiem News

Dominic Thiem threw away a 5-2* lead (including three set points) and lost the first set in the tiebreaker but managed to mount a comeback against the former World #1 Novak Djokovic to progress into the quarterfinal of Monte Carlo Masters for the first time in his career, 6-7 6-2 6-3.
It’s the second time he has fought back from a set deficit in Monte Carlo 2018. Earlier this week, he lost the first set and saved a match point (on return) in the third set to seal the second round encounter against Andrey Rublev.
Thiem has already made four quarterfinals so far in 2018 but lost the recent two, against Fernando Verdasco in Rio de Janeiro and Juan Martin Del Potro in the Indian Wells.
The World #7, Dominic Thiem, has played 11 matches on clay this season (including two Davis Cup rubbers) with the only defeat coming against Fernando Verdasco in the quarterfinal of Rio de Janeiro in February.
While Thiem posted his best Monte Carlo result this week (four appearances), Rafael Nadal has entered this tournament 14 times in the past and ended up winning the title on ten occasions. He is also the two-times defending champion here.

Rafael Nadal News

Rafael Nadal has played four matches on clay in 2018 and won them all in straight sets, including his two wins over Alexander Zverev and Philipp Kohlschreiber in the Davis Cup. Nine of the 28 sets he played this season (on all surfaces) have finished at 6-3.
The Spaniard lost ten matches on tour in 2017 (excluding WTF and Laver Cup) with four of them coming in the quarterfinal stages. Moreover, he lost his only quarterfinal match in 2018, against Marin Cilic in the Australian Open.
These two players have met seven times on clay with Rafael Nadal leading the H2H 5-2. Thiem got his two wins over Nadal in Buenos Aires 2016 (SF) and Rome Masters 2017 (QF). In fact, the quarterfinal defeat in the Rome Masters was Nadal’s only loss on clay in the last 15 months.
Irrespective of his opponent, Rafael Nadal will always start a clay match as the favorite. That said, if anyone’s going to beat him on clay at the moment, it will be Dominic Thiem. Very big match for today: Thiem vs Nadal at ATP – SINGLES: Monte Carlo (Monaco), clay.

Tennis Prediction: Rafael Nadal 2-0 SET
Odds: 1.50