ATP Eastbourne/ Antalya: Quarter Finals

There are several 2nd round matches still to be completed at Eastbourne and that means the winners will be playing multiple matches on the one day. Those who are already through will have a distinct edge and The Wolf says it is worth staying up in order to get a piece of the markets when the catch up matches are completed.

ATP Eastbourne

Feature Previews

Richard Gasquet v Kevin Anderson

The Frenchman was under some real pressure last night. Down a set and a break to Tiafoe and had to dig deep to get through. Anderson on the other hand breezed past Bellucci winning dropping just 6 points on serve. They have had some fierce battles in the past. Gasquet leads the H2H 5-4 but it is Anderson who has come out on top in their last two meetings. Only 3 of their 9 clashes have been settled in straight sets and there has been at least one breaker in 8 of their 9 clashes. This one will be going right down to the wire and will need a deciding set.

Best Bet: Number of Sets – 3 Sets ($2.15)

Novak Djokovic v Donald Young

Posposil failed to capitalise on some early chances against Novak and it allowed the Serbian to really work his way into the match. Posposil failed to put any pressure on the Djokovic second serve and was far too passive in the baseline exchanges. Tonight Djokovic will have even more opportunities to dominate from the baseline. The weakest part of Young’s game is his serve which will place him under constant pressure. The Wolf says he will win less that 50% of points behind his second serve and he rarely makes 60% of first serves which will leave the door wide open for Novak. Wolfy has questions over Novak but not against Young.

Best Bet: Djokovic -4.5 ($1.80)

ATP Antalya

Feature Previews

Ramkumar Ramanathan v Marcos Baghdatis

The Wolf predicted an early exit for Thiem but didn’t think it would be Ramanathan to send him packing. The man from India, ranked in the 200’s, deserves full credit for the win. Came through the qualifiers here which included a double bagel win and placed pressure on Thiem throughout. He chip and charged when he could, used his slice backhand to change up the tempo in baseline rallies and served very well. He won 90% of first serve points and was getting his serve to really kick off the surface and slide in the deuce court. The Wolf can see him really troubling Baghdatis who was relying on Berlocq errors to win his previous match. He will pay the price if he is passive against Ramanathan as the Indian will press forward and make his way to the net. The man who plays grass court tennis on grass tends to prevail.

Best Bet: Ramanathan +3.5 ($1.85)

Value Bet: Ramanathan WIN ($3.50)

Adrian Mannarino v Fernando Verdasco

This is the first tournament in a while that Verdasco has been able to avoid top 10 players and he will take full advantage. He was able to get into almost every Darcis service game in his opening match and The Wolf expects much of the same as Mannarino’s serve is far from an asset. Verdasco has won both prior meetings, both of which came at Grand Slam level, and the scorelines are scary: 6-0 6-2 6-2 at the Aus Open in 2009 and 6-1 6-2 6-2 a year later at the US Open. Verdasco in straight!

Best Bet: Sets Verdasco 2-0 ($2.35)