ATP 250 Auckland 1/8-Finals
Diaz Acosta – Baez: 08.01.2025 01:00 CEST
H2H: 1-2
Facundo Diaz Acosta has lost three of his last five matches. Being an Argentinian, Facundo spent most of his career playing on the slow clay courts in South America. Here in Auckland, Facundo won the first qualifying match against Rai in straight sets. After that, in the final qualifying round, Diaz Acosta lost against Nardi after spending almost three hours on the court. However, with several players withdrawing from the tournament, Facundo entered the main draw as a lucky loser. Facundo upset Norrie in the opening round in straight sets here in Auckland. Around this time last year, Facundo played in Adelaide, where he lost in the opening main draw round against Thompson in straight sets.
Sebastian Baez has lost seven straight matches. His last win was in the US Open, against Darderi in the opening round. That said, Baez has been winless for over four months. The last match he played was in the Davis Cup, losing against Sinner in easy straight sets. The young Argentine plays his best tennis on clay. Around this time last year, Baez played in Adelaide, losing in the first round against Draper in straight sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, this should be a 50-50 match. Facundo has shown great tennis today against Norrie, so we expect him to be fully confident coming into this match. Baez has been winless for over four months, so we believe that Facundo will have an upper hand in this match.
That being said, Facundo winning is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Facundo Diaz Acosta winning @1.91 @bet365
Struff – Monfils: 08.01.2025 02:30 CEST
H2H: 0-2
Jan-Lennard Struff has won three of his last five matches. So far this season, Struff has not played in any tournaments. Here in Auckland, Jan-Lennard defeated Bu in easy straight sets. Struff won his maiden ATP title last season in Munich on home soil. He is currently a top-50 player and hopes to cement his spot. Jan-Lennard is a solid player on every surface. Around this time last year, Struff played in Hong Kong, where he reached the second round, losing against Ofner in three tight sets.
Gael Monfils has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Brisbane, Gael reached the second round, losing against Djokovic in straight sets. The Frenchman holds a 0-20 losing record against Novak. Here in Auckland, Monfils defeated Martinez after losing the first set 1-6. He always performs his best tennis in the early stages of the tournaments when he is still fresh and ready. Last year in Auckland, Gael lost his opening match against Marozsan in three tight sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, this will be a 50-50 match, but we disagree. Jan-Lennard showed better tennis in his opening round against Bu. We expect him to continue in that fashion. On the other hand, Monfils struggled against a clay court specialist, Martinez. We believe that Struff will be a better player tomorrow and win comfortably.
That being said, Struff winning is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Jan-Lennard Struff winning @1.91 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
