Don't spurn chance to back clay master at 3-4

BOOKMAKERS are expecting Sunday afternoon's Rome Masters final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to be considerably closer than the pair's clash in the Monte Carlo Masters final in April.

Nadal thrashed world No. 1 Djokovic 6-3 6-1 in the Monaco climax to go some way towards avenging defeats to the Serb in Madrid and Rome last season.

And while Djokovic achieved his best result on clay when ousting
resurgent world No. 2 Roger Federer 6-2 7-6 in their Foro Italico semi-final clash on Saturday, that does not necessarily entitle him to be no better than 6-5 to turn around Monte Carlo form with Nadal.

The Pearl of Manacor looks well worth a bet at 3-4 to silence Djokovic
again – it's not often the chance to back the Majorcan at that price comes around – because the Djoker's general form may have dipped a shade this season.

Nadal took time to assert his supremacy against David Ferrer in their
last-four Rome battle, but once the clay king had got a set under his
belt it was one-way traffic as the favourite won 7-6 6-0.

Further methodical play is expected from Nadal early in the final, but
he has proved on more than one occasion this year that there is little
between himself and Djokovic on a hard court so the chance to back him to dominate his rival on clay has to be taken.

Recommendation

R Nadal to win final, 2pts 3-4 Boylesports

Advised ante-post

R Nadal, 2pts Evs BetVictor, Coral, Ladbrokes

ATP Rome Masters final betting (3pm) - match-winner: 3-4 R Nadal (Boylesports) v 6-5 N Djokovic (Betfred, Blue Square, Coral, Hills); total sets: 8-13 two (Coral), 5-4 three (bet365, Paddy Power); total games: 5-6 over 22.5 (BetVictor, Hills, Ladbrokes), 8-11 under 23.5 (Boylesports); handicaps: 5-6 Nadal -1.5 games (bet365, BetVictor, Paddy Power), 8-11 Djokovic +2.5 (Boylesports).