Australian Open day eight predictions and tennis betting tips

Free tennis tips, best bets and analysis for day eight of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday.

Where to watch

Eurosport 1 & 2, from midnight Sunday

Best bets

Over 33.5 games in Rafael Nadal v Fabio Fognini
2pts 17-20 Hills

Elina Svitolina to beat Jessica Pegula 2-0
1pt 6-5 bet365

Preview

Rafael Nadal has breezed into the last 16 of the Australian Open without dropping a set and the layers are expecting another easy ride for the world number two against Italy’s Fabio Fognini.

But while the super Spaniard should go one step further in his pursuit of a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam crown in Melbourne, Fognini can provide him with his toughest test yet.

Nadal’s well-being for the first Major of the season had to be taken on trust after he withdrew from two of Spain’s ATP Cup clashes earlier this month.

A sore back was cited as the reason to swerve the team competition and although that was understandably a precaution as he prioritised this event, it is evident that he is not performing at his rhythmic best.

Nadal is moving well and hitting it freely but there are signs of weakness on serve and that gives the talented Fognini hope as he chases an upset.

The Spaniard was untested in his opening two games against Laslo Djere and Michael Mmoh but it was far from plain sailing in round three against Brit Cameron Norrie, who battled courageously in a 7-5 6-2 7-5 defeat.

Given Norrie was able to last 32 games against Nadal, there has to be every chance Fognini can better the Brit’s efforts.

The Italian is inconsistent but when in the mood has to be taken seriously and wins over Pierre-Hugues Herbert, compatriot Salvatore Caruso and home hope Alex De Minaur suggest he is up for the fight.

Fognini was particularly impressive in dispatching 21st seed De Minaur in straight-sets in the last round, and it is worth noting that he has claimed at least a set against Nadal in four of their last five meetings.

Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev should tee up an all-Russian quarter-final with convincing victories over Casper Ruud and Mackenzie McDonald respectively. However, punters should tread carefully when Matteo Berretini, who was nursing an injury in his win over Karen Khachanov, takes on Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Elina Svitolina is one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour and she can book her spot in yet another Grand Slam quarter-final with a routine win over American Jessica Pegula.

The Ukrainian has reached the last eight in four of her last six Major appearances - which includes here in 2018 and 2019 - while this is uncharted terrority for the world number 62.

Svitolina has already toppled Marie Bouzkova, Cori Gauff and Yulia Putintseva in straight sets in Melbourne and she can repeat the feat against Pegula, who was beaten 6-4 6-3 by the fifth seed in January's duel in Dubai.

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