ATP 250 Almaty 1/16-Finals
Safiullin – Mannarino: 15.10.2024 08:00 CEST
H2H: 0-2
Roman Safiullin has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Shanghai, Safiullin reached the 1/8-Finals, where he lost against Djokovic in straight sets. So far during the Asian swing, Roman has played solid tennis. The Russian is looking for a solid result in the next couple of weeks to get into the top 50 in the rankings. Around this time last year, Roman played in Stockholm, where he faced Mannarino under similar conditions. Mannarino won that match in straight sets.
Adrian Mannarino has lost three of his last five matches. Last week in Shanghai, Adrian lost his opening match against Svajda in three sets. It was a roller-coaster type of match with both players making way too many unforced errors. Mannarino struggled throughout the whole season, resulting in him dropping outside the top 50 in the rankings. Last season, Adrian had his biggest result. However, he underperformed on every surface this season. Around this time last year, Mannarino played in Stockholm where he was defeated by Monfils in straight sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Roman is the favorite in this matchup, and we agree with that. He had some solid performances recently. On the other hand, Mannarino had no remarkable results, and we believe that he will struggle once again tomorrow.
That being said, Safiullin covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Roman Safiullin -3.5 games handicap @2.00 @bet365
Virtanen – Fognini: 15.10.2024 09:30 CEST
H2H: first meeting
Otto Virtanen has lost six straight matches. Two weeks ago in Shanghai, Otto failed to qualify for the main-draw tournament, losing against Watanuki in the first qualifying round. His last win was in the US Open, where he was stopped by de Minaur in the second round of the tournament. The Finn loves to play on the fast courts such as this one. Virtanen had his biggest results at the challenger tour level, where he won a couple of titles this season.
Fabio Fognini has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Hangzhou, Fabio played at the challenger tournament, where he lost in the quarterfinals against Tseng in three tight sets. Fabio played some solid tennis in the last couple of months, which brought him back into the top 100. Fabio usually underperforms on indoor hard courts such as this one. Last year, around this time, Fognini played at the challenger tournaments where he has not had any success.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Virtanen is the slight favorite in this matchup. He loves to play on the indoor courts, and we believe that he will finally end his losing streak. Fabio never had any remarkable results on the fast courts such as this one. Otto has a huge serve, which will help him win free points against Fabio tomorrow.
That being said, Virtanen winning in straight sets is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Otto Virtanen winning 2-0 @2.25 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
