ATP Tennis Tips: Newport/Umag/Bastad – 1st Round (Tue)

Thompson and Kudla delivered for The Wolfpack yesterday and we will see the completion of the 1st round matches this evening. Bernard Tomic won his way into the main draw in Newport with fellow Aussie Alex de Minaur also in action.

ATP Newport Preview

Marcos Baghdatis v Gilles MullerNow well into their 30’s, these two veterans of the ATP Tour love playing on grass. Baghdatis is a former Wimbledon semi finalist at The Championships while Muller was the man responsible for Nadal’s exit last year. Muller is a 3 time finalist on the surface and that includes a runner up finish here in 2016. Baghdatis has won 3 of the 4 encounters between the pair but breaking the Muller serve will not be easy. Muller lost in straight sets at Wimbledon (3 breakers) to Kohlschreiber despite not having his serve broken. Baghdatis will likely have to do the same. Overs!
Best Bet: Over 23.5 games ($1.80)

Ivo Karlovic v Alex de MinaurHe may have the biggest serve in tennis but an ageing Karlovic is struggling to win matches. He has lost 7 of his last 8 matches and also has a losing record on grass over the last two seasons. The Wolf cannot get enough on the Australian teenager in this one. De Minaur has showed that he has the potential to be one of the best returners on tour! He made the final in back to back Challenger events on grass and has shown that he can combat big servers with his anticipation. He has wins over Raonic and Lopez this season – two men whose serve is a major weapon. He will be beating Karlovic!
Best Bet: De Minaur WIN ($1.80)

ATP Umag Tips

Benoit Paire v Marton FucsovicsThe H2H may read 2-0 in Paire’s favour but it is the Hungarian who is better suited to this surface. He was a title winner in Geneva leading into the French Open where he beat Tiafoe, Wawrinka and Steve Johnson en-route to the title. He moves very well on clay and incorporates all the shots required to succeed on the surface including the drop shot and the ability to close points out at the net.
Best Bet: Fucsovics WIN ($1.91)