Is Rafael Nadal the new frontrunner at the Australian Open?

Rafael Nadal reaches the semifinals at the 2019 Australian Open and we must wonder whether or not he ought to be considered the favorite to win.

The King of Clay is having a blast at the 2019 Australian Open. While Rafael Nadal has only won the Grand Slam once throughout his career, he is on fire at Melbourne Park this year. Nadal is yet to drop a single set as he enters the men’s singles semifinals.

Prior to the major tournament action, we picked world number one Novak Djokovic to take the title at the Australian Open. Nadal was on the list of our top five favorites in men’s singles though. How could he not be?

Even though Djokovic and Swiss legend Roger Federer have largely dominated action at Melbourne Park throughout the last decade, Nadal has fared better than most. His 2009 Australian Open title came over Federer. Rafa took the historic finals match 7–5, 3–6, 7–6 (7–3), 3–6, 6–2.

Rafael Nadal remains unbeaten entering the semifinals.

Nadal’s quarterfinal match saw him against rising American tennis star Frances Tiafoe. The young ATP star’s run comes to an end but he will walkaway having made on impact on the event. Tiafoe is someone to watch in the coming months on the 2019 ATP Tour. Nadal takes their meeting in straight sets, winning 6-3 6-4 6-2.

Second seeded Nadal takes on a cinderella opponent in Stefanos Tsitsipas next. The 20-year-old Greek tennis player is coming off of wins over both Federer and then Roberto Bautista Agut. The Next Generation ATP star could give Nadal his biggest test to date at the 2019 Australian Open.

Our prediction for Nadal’s Australian Open semifinals match against Tsitsipas; the young Greek’s run comes to an end but he will force at least one tiebreak if not take a set off of Rafa. As for other players to watch in men’s singles, the remaining quarterfinals matches are yet to occur. Djokovic takes on the surging Japanese great Kei Nishikori next. Milos Raonic also faces off against Lucas Pouille.