Yesterday's predictions delivered a mixed bag for me. It could have ended 2/3 on the plus side if the ATP actually started to clamp down on injured players that turn up to events pretending to be fine then suddenly withdrawing half way through the match when their loosing. That was Millman who I had down to loose in straight sets to the promising Beijing ATP title winner of this month Nikoloz Basilashvili. The Georgian power player looked fully in control of that match creating 7 break points in the first set and taking 2, eventually coming through 6-4 before the match was abandoned.
Then came Nicolas Mahut who having looked good on serve in the first set vs Francis Tiafoe went into a tie break loosing all his service points. That was pretty much the match done there, if he had come through the tie break he could have gone on to possibly win, but he lost that and then capitulated in the second. I did rate his chances 50/50 so I wasn't too disappointed with my call there given his odds of 2.47 but he was my main choice of yesterday.
My final pick got delayed until today where it was settled only an hour ago. I had Verdasco down to win at decent odds of 1.66 so I was happy to see him come through in straight sets vs Jeremy Chardy. I decided to air on the side of caution here and not go for a straight sets win even though there was a good chance this could happen. So yesterdays predictions ended up so so, rather than hot. I'll be looking out for Verdasco's next match, that could well prove another solid bet.
Today's Match: Marton Fucsovics vs Benoire Paire
Today I only have one game I fancy and that's going against the flamboyant Frenchmen whose shots are as volatile as his temper - Benoire Paire. If someone invented a racket smashing event Paire would realistically win it hands down, he's an incredibly impatient and impossible character at times on par with Kygrgios for having unrealistic expectations of just how far pure audacity will take you in a sport like tennis. Racket smashing is his chosen trademark to let of some steam.
Here he faces a solid all rounder - Hungarian Marton Fucsovics who unlike Paire is happy to bide his time to win sets and matches. Fucsovics won is maiden ATP Title this year at the age of 26 prevailing in Geneva on clay where he beat Germany's Peter Gojowczyk. In that event he also took out some other very difficult and experienced opponents. In fact all his matches were tricky - Albert Ramos Vinolas, Francis Tiafoe, Stan Wawrinka, Steve Johnson all came before the final. He conceded only one set during the whole tournament and went on to win the final in convincing fashion 6-2, 6-2.
Since that maiden victory he's had a rather choppy year in terms of results with his best run coming last week in Vienna where although only managing to progress through two rounds before bowing out he did beat Fabio Fognini for the first time.
Watch: Win His Maiden ATP Title in May this Year
Fuscovics is only 2 places off a career high. If he can put together a run here in Paris he could well eclipse that ranking. Last year was a break through year for the Hungarian who won 2 Challenger tour events and reached the Swiss Indoors Quarter Final so this year he has built upon that progress already with his Maiden ATP title. He credits his change of coach for his transformation in results on court saying he has learned to develop mental toughness and discipline - Benoire Paire could really do with taking a leaf out of the Hungarians book.
Paire is having a very poor year and has not won a title and apart from his Sydney semi final appearance at the start of the year has not progressed in any tournaments. In fact his only ever title came back in 2015. His last tournament saw him loose in the qualification rounds of the Basel Indoor 500 to a wild card entry player ranked 150th in the world - Alexei Popyrin. In Paris so far he has come through both qualifiers, one of which did not finish due Vasek Pospisil withdrawing through injury. Paire only just won the first set of that match on a close tie break 7-9. Hardly convincing tennis against a player ranked 75th in the world. He also almost lost the set 6-4. Paire is looking wobbly right now and where as you could make the argument that perhaps the Frenchmen could find his feet and inspiration on home soil I am more inclined to opt for Fuscovics who is more focused and will be eager to break through his record ranking of 40th in the world.
Match Prediction:
Look for Paire to loose his cool and temper as per the norm and for Fuscovics to frustrate him in some of the rallies leading to a possible implosion. This match could go to 3 sets and with Fuscovics at 2.17 to win, he's a nice outright bet.
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