After getting one right and one wrong on Djoker's blog post yesterday I thought I'd chip in with Fridays Marrakech predictions. I haven't written about tennis for a while now but there hasn't been a high profile hard court tournament of late as that season has pretty much ended as we look towards the start of the clay court season.
Marrakech is one of those lesser clay court tournaments and no one exciting is competing this year just like last. But there's always a few interesting picks to be had in the lesser tournaments and today is no different with some players who are being under estimated in their odds.
Andujar-Alba P vs Vesley J
I'm going against my pick from yesterday as Andujar represents too low odds (1.57) vs Vesley. Especially given Vesley's first two wins here were straight ones and he has a 2-0 record vs Andujar so certainly won't feel intimidated by the clay court specialist. The Spaniard may have won two challenger events on clay leading up to this tournament but 1.57 is rating him too high vs the Czech who is a solid clay court player as we can see from his performances so far, with a good win over a Fabio Fognini backed up by a comfortable one yesterday vs Londero.
Prediction: Vesley at 2.37
Paire B vs Munar J
To my surprise Paire won yesterday vs fellow Frenchman Pierre Herbert who is in great form. Admittedly Herbert's favourite surface isn't clay whilst it is for Paire. Whilst Munar inflicted a shock defeat on top seed Alexander Zverev, again bookies are over excited by Munar's chances here. Yes Paire has the capability to melt down but I would have liked to have seen Munar more near 1.72 to 1.80 for odds on winning as Paire can still be dangerous and given he overcame a tricky opponent yesterday he isn't to be underestimated. He does have a varied game that could trouble Munar, more varied than Zverev's.
At 2.37 Paire's odds are generous given his fire power on serve and from the back of the court. I think Munar will look to frustrate the Frenchman extending the rallies whenever possible but given Paire's comfortable run so far in the tournament he will be full of confidence and have a decent chance to defeat the youngster here. This one is a 50/50 for me so the odds are good.
Prediction: Paire at 2.37
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