Crimson_Silhouette

Alright, guys, the French Open is here and it’s set to go on. It’s possible that it’s going to be without fans after all, but we’re going to get matches and that’s what matters.
Personally, I’ve already written the season off for many reasons. It’s going to be a bad one, but that was bound to happen after two very good runs. I still want to cover matches and events until the new season starts, however, but my approach is going to be slightly different. So let’s take a look at what I’ve been able to fish out so far!
First, I like Shuai Zhang’s chances to upset Madison Keys. The H2H record should be ignored, as it’s quite old, but what shouldn’t be ignored is the fact that Keys hasn’t played any preparation events. She’s retired from her match against Cornet in the US Open and has been absent since then. Zhang, meanwhile, has been playing in Strasbourg in the meantime and even in Rome for a while before then. She’s worse than Keys, but 3.26 with a one-set bookie? I’ll take that!
Stefano Travaglia also shouldn’t be the underdog against Andujar imo. Sure, Andujar has beaten him last time out, but Travaglia leads the record 2-1 nonetheless and he was impressive in Rome. There, he managed to beat Coric and Fritz before losing against Berrettini, which is fair. His youth should also be a benefit if this goes to the distance, which it easily might.
Hugo Gaston is a promising home talent and he crushed Janvier 6-3 6-0 not that long ago. Janvier is on a losing streak as well, so chances are that we’ll get another good win for Gaston. Unless he chokes on the big stage, he should have the upper hand.
Finally, I’m also going to take a chance on Mikael Ymer against Djokovic. I like the guy on the big stage, he’s got the right attitude when playing the big guys and he showed that against Krajinovic in the US Open. The scoreline was quite misleading in that one and I think that he’s going to win a few games against Novak.
Shuai Zhang to beat Madison Keys at 3.26 with Pinnacle
Stefano Travaglia to beat Pablo Andujar at 2.00 with Bet365
Hugo Gaston to beat Maxime Janvier at 1.52 with Pinnacle
N.Djokovic/M.Ymer – Over 26 games at 1.79 with Pinnacle
Good luck to everyone!

A ridiculous decision, but there we are, left with two Challengers for the week ?. Edit: Just for the record, I think it's ridiculous mainly because 1) all the big American sports are still going ahead in packed arenas 2) they could've played without spectators if they were afraid of that 3) canceling it so close to the event after essentially everyone has already traveled there?.

thx Crimson ,, have not placed a bet on the match as of yet.. i don't like the odds much .. as u said .. there is some risk involved with inconsistent player.. the leg strap scares me.. in my opinion Bublik is not 100% fitness.. he must have some injury last year i recall. 

I watched Bublik's matches in Montpellier and he comes across as a total nut-case. Guy definitely has the talent, but has the tendency to lose his cool and spray errors all over. Worse, goes big on second serves and double faults and how can I even forget the cheek to go for underarm serves during the most crucial junctures during a match. I find him to be very inconsistent, but that's me. Barrere looked pretty solid against Dimitrov, didn't have to do much because Dimitrov was hell bent on losing that match on his own. I think this match is a bit of a toss-up, would give a slight edge to Barrere because of his consistent strokes. Good luck with your bet!

I watched Bublik's matches in Montpellier and he comes across as a total nut-case. Guy definitely has the talent, but has the tendency to lose his cool and spray errors all over. Worse, goes big on second serves and double faults and how can I even forget the cheek to go for underarm serves during the most crucial junctures during a match. I find him to be very inconsistent, but that's me. Barrere looked pretty solid against Dimitrov, didn't have to do much because Dimitrov was hell bent on losing that match on his own. I think this match is a bit of a toss-up, would give a slight edge to Barrere because of his consistent strokes. Good luck with your bet!

I watched Bublik's matches in Montpellier and he comes across as a total nut-case. Guy definitely has the talent, but has the tendency to lose his cool and spray errors all over. Worse, goes big on second serves and double faults and how can I even forget the cheek to go for underarm serves during the most crucial junctures during a match. I find him to be very inconsistent, but that's me. Barrere looked pretty solid against Dimitrov, didn't have to do much because Dimitrov was hell bent on losing that match on his own. I think this match is a bit of a toss-up, would give a slight edge to Barrere because of his consistent strokes. Good luck with your bet!

Gael Monfils to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas at 1.80 with Bet365
I just don't see Monfils losing this week. He has been in terrific form, tracking down balls and making his opponents hit that extra ball. There is always a question mark with Monfils's temperament, but he has been amazingly mature this whole year. Tsitsipas has had a gruelling couple of weeks and I don't think he has enough in the tank to take out Monfils. 
 
 

Borna Coric to beat Roger Federer at 3.00 with Unibet
@Torque I'm totally with you on Borna today. I don't care that the odds have dropped. 3x is good enough because it's still an underestimation of Bornas chances which should be bigger than the odds suggests.

Borna Coric to beat Roger Federer @ 3.50 Boylesports
Coric should have a chance in this one and having got the better of Federer twice already in his fledgling career, if he does get one he can take it - unlike Fucsovics who let Federer off the hook when blowing two set points that would have seen him take the first set against the Swiss and lay the foundation for a big win. You could argue that neither player has looked in the best of form at this tournament, but like so many things it depends on perspective.
For me, the struggles that Coric has successfully come through to reach this round could be a good thing. As a younger player it's good to know that you can fight and scrap and win ugly, whereas for Federer I'd argue that he doesn't need or want to be pushed to the limit as often as he has in his previous matches here and there's not the same upside to winning tight matches for him as there is for Coric. I'm sure Federer realises that he hasn't played all that well so far which is probably his main focus, whilst Coric should take heart from finding a way to get across the line in his matches. I think the young Croat's perspective will be a lot more positive than Federer's will be, and that he can do what none of Kohlschreiber, Verdasco or Fucsovics managed and prevail against a Federer who has looked vulnerable all week.

Today I went relatively big on Fucsovics to cover the game handicap, and tomorrow will more than probably do the same on Coric. He will be a much difficult opponent for Roger than Basilashvili would have been mainly because of his style of play. I would like to see the game handicap lines first, but the set handicap is also a very good option. I admit that Coric is not playing his very best tennis at the moment, and dropped a set during all his matches so far in Dubai, but I barely expect signs of fatigue on him (at least much less than on Roger). I don't really like how the GOAT moves around the court this week, and I agree with all of you who lay him during these days. They played three times last year, Coric won twice and lost one in the decisive set.

Alison Riske to beat Jennifer Brady at 2.05 with Bet365.
Having watched Riske beat Brady pretty comfortably when they met in Doha earlier this year, I have to take this bet up at the odds currently offered. Brady seems to be in good form, but I feel that Riske is just a better player overall and should win this match-up more often than not if she plays well. 

Fucsovics to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
I don't want to go into detail about this bet because I have already explained how vulnerable Federer looks these days. He has lost his aura and everyone thinks that they have a shot at beating him. Fucsovic has a solid ground game and he will be ready to pounce if there is a dip in Federer's form. 
Hurkacz to win a set against Tsitsipas at 2.25 with Bet365.
I have to admit that I am not entirely confident about this bet. Hurkacz didn't have an answer to Tsitsipas's game in Marseille last week. I watched Hurkacz beat Nishikori and it was more of Nishikori mugging it around than Hurkacz actually earning the win, but I hope this win has given the Pole, the confidence to play well in the upcoming rounds. Tsitsipas has looked alright so far, I can see a bit of fatigue creeping in and this should give Hurkacz an opening to win a set. 
Basilashvili to beat Coric at 2.10 with Bet365.
I can see that the odds for Bash have come down now. Have been pretty impressed with Bash, he has played well after that horrific loss to Brands at Sofia. It is always a gamble with him because he is so aggressive and there's a chance that his game might unravel at the hands of Coric, who is a solid defender. But I am still going to back him considering the fact that Coric hasn't really been at his best in this tournament and the fast courts in Dubai should really suit Bash's game. 
 
 
 
 

Fucsovics to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
I don't want to go into detail about this bet because I have already explained how vulnerable Federer looks these days. He has lost his aura and everyone thinks that they have a shot at beating him. Fucsovic has a solid ground game and he will be ready to pounce if there is a dip in Federer's form. 
Hurkacz to win a set against Tsitsipas at 2.25 with Bet365.
I have to admit that I am not entirely confident about this bet. Hurkacz didn't have an answer to Tsitsipas's game in Marseille last week. I watched Hurkacz beat Nishikori and it was more of Nishikori mugging it around than Hurkacz actually earning the win, but I hope this win has given the Pole, the confidence to play well in the upcoming rounds. Tsitsipas has looked alright so far, I can see a bit of fatigue creeping in and this should give Hurkacz an opening to win a set. 
Basilashvili to beat Coric at 2.10 with Bet365.
I can see that the odds for Bash have come down now. Have been pretty impressed with Bash, he has played well after that horrific loss to Brands at Sofia. It is always a gamble with him because he is so aggressive and there's a chance that his game might unravel at the hands of Coric, who is a solid defender. But I am still going to back him considering the fact that Coric hasn't really been at his best in this tournament and the fast courts in Dubai should really suit Bash's game. 
 
 
 
 

Gael Monfils to win ATP Dubai @ 6.00 Betfair Exchange
Borna Coric to win ATP Dubai @ 10.00 Betfred
I'm going to stick my neck on the block and oppose Federer to take the title in Dubai by backing Monfils from the top half of the draw and Coric from the bottom half. I'm backing Monfils as he's in great form and really should make the last four at least as Berankis is beatable, and I'm backing Coric because he's beaten Federer before and so should be able to perform if he meets him in the last four.

Felix Auger Aliassime to beat Pablo Cuevas at 2.62 with Bet365.
Alright, I watched Aliassime beat Cuevas last week and he was pretty impressive. Cuevas has been playing pretty well and I still rate him as a slight favorite to take this match, but at these odds, I have to back Aliassime. Cuevas looked gassed out in the third set while playing Aliassime and if this match goes the distance, I would definitely fancy the chances of the Canadian. 

Verdasco to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
As we all know, Federer is very vulnerable these days. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up losing to Verdasco here. Granted Verdasco has never won a match against Federer, this is his best chance to do so and I am sure he knows it as well. I have been noticing a pattern with Federer these days, he has found it difficult to close his matches out and there's moments during a match, where he plays like a complete mug. I am hoping there's enough dip in form from Federer for Verdasco to capitalise and atleast win a set. 

Verdasco to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
As we all know, Federer is very vulnerable these days. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up losing to Verdasco here. Granted Verdasco has never won a match against Federer, this is his best chance to do so and I am sure he knows it as well. I have been noticing a pattern with Federer these days, he has found it difficult to close his matches out and there's moments during a match, where he plays like a complete mug. I am hoping there's enough dip in form from Federer for Verdasco to capitalise and atleast win a set. 

Johanna Konta to beat Varvara Flink at 1.37 with Paddy Power
Not a fan of short odds, but this is an elite player against someone who's never been in the top 100, so I'll take what's on offer.

Verdasco to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
As we all know, Federer is very vulnerable these days. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up losing to Verdasco here. Granted Verdasco has never won a match against Federer, this is his best chance to do so and I am sure he knows it as well. I have been noticing a pattern with Federer these days, he has found it difficult to close his matches out and there's moments during a match, where he plays like a complete mug. I am hoping there's enough dip in form from Federer for Verdasco to capitalise and atleast win a set. 

Verdasco to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
As we all know, Federer is very vulnerable these days. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up losing to Verdasco here. Granted Verdasco has never won a match against Federer, this is his best chance to do so and I am sure he knows it as well. I have been noticing a pattern with Federer these days, he has found it difficult to close his matches out and there's moments during a match, where he plays like a complete mug. I am hoping there's enough dip in form from Federer for Verdasco to capitalise and atleast win a set. 

Verdasco to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
As we all know, Federer is very vulnerable these days. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up losing to Verdasco here. Granted Verdasco has never won a match against Federer, this is his best chance to do so and I am sure he knows it as well. I have been noticing a pattern with Federer these days, he has found it difficult to close his matches out and there's moments during a match, where he plays like a complete mug. I am hoping there's enough dip in form from Federer for Verdasco to capitalise and atleast win a set. 

Verdasco to win a set against Federer at 2.75 with Bet365.
As we all know, Federer is very vulnerable these days. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up losing to Verdasco here. Granted Verdasco has never won a match against Federer, this is his best chance to do so and I am sure he knows it as well. I have been noticing a pattern with Federer these days, he has found it difficult to close his matches out and there's moments during a match, where he plays like a complete mug. I am hoping there's enough dip in form from Federer for Verdasco to capitalise and atleast win a set. 

David Ferrer to beat Tennys Sandgren at 1.73 with Unibet
David is not winning any tournaments anymore but he's good enough to win a first round when he's up against opposition like Tennys who is not in form and lost in Indian Wells qualies to David last season in straight sets. I can see the same thing happening again and David surely wants to face Sascha Zverev in second round and after all Acapulco is Davids happy hunting grounds. One of his best tournaments in his career so I see him having enough for the win in this one.
Gael Monfils to beat Marin Cilic at 1.92 with Unibet
I'm also on Gael here just like @Crimson_Silhouette with Gaels 3-0 record in this matchup. I don't think Marin has looked all that great this season either so I expect him to have a hard time here. Gael is playing well now and it would be strange to see him go out and lose this match acctually with all the positivities for him here. Gael should have enough for the win.

Mikhail Kukushkin to beat Borna Coric at 3.50 with Bet365.
I smell an upset here. Kukushkin has been in pretty good form. I saw a couple of his matches in Marseille and he looked really solid from the back of the court. Yes, there's the fatigue factor with him playing the finals on a Sunday and going to Dubai to play his match against Coric on Tuesday but I still expect him to come out trumps against Coric who is really short on match practice. He was ousted pretty easily by Humbert in his first match at Marseille and he also has a losing record against Kukushkin. 
Gael Monfils to beat Marin Cilic at 1.90 with Bet365.
Alright, this is Cilic's first match after the Australian open. I expect him to be a bit rusty. Monfils has been playing great. Cilic plays well on faster courts, but he is up against someone who is defending supremely well and that is exactly the kind of players Cilic hates playing against. Monfils also has a winning record against Cilic. I am a bit skeptical about this bet. I always have been whenever it comes to Monfils. He is not an easy guy to bet on, what with his frequent clowning. But I feel that he has matured a bit this year. Maybe Svitolina has talked some sense into him. 

Mikhail Kukushkin to beat Borna Coric at 3.50 with Bet365.
I smell an upset here. Kukushkin has been in pretty good form. I saw a couple of his matches in Marseille and he looked really solid from the back of the court. Yes, there's the fatigue factor with him playing the finals on a Sunday and going to Dubai to play his match against Coric on Tuesday but I still expect him to come out trumps against Coric who is really short on match practice. He was ousted pretty easily by Humbert in his first match at Marseille and he also has a losing record against Kukushkin. 
Gael Monfils to beat Marin Cilic at 1.90 with Bet365.
Alright, this is Cilic's first match after the Australian open. I expect him to be a bit rusty. Monfils has been playing great. Cilic plays well on faster courts, but he is up against someone who is defending supremely well and that is exactly the kind of players Cilic hates playing against. Monfils also has a winning record against Cilic. I am a bit skeptical about this bet. I always have been whenever it comes to Monfils. He is not an easy guy to bet on, what with his frequent clowning. But I feel that he has matured a bit this year. Maybe Svitolina has talked some sense into him.