ATP French Open 1/64-Finals
Nishikori – Alcaraz: Time TBA
H2H: first meeting
Kei Nishikori has lost three of his last five matches. This week in Geneva, Nishikori retired mid-match against Khachanov in the 1/8-Finals. He was the quarterfinalist here thrice. Last season, he retired mid-match against Shelton in the second round.
Carlos Alcaraz has won six straight matches. Last week in Rome, the Spaniard won the Masters 1000 title, defeating Sinner in the final in straight sets. Alcaraz is the defending champion in Paris. Last season, he won the title against Zverev in the final. He is the biggest favourite to win the title this season.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Alcaraz is the favourite in this matchup, and we agree. Nishikori is far away from his best level. Alcaraz is the best clay-court player in the world, and we expect him to dominate from the start until the end.
That being said, Alcaraz covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Carlos Alcaraz -8.5 games handicap @1.83 @bet365
Nishioka – Popyrin: Time TBA
H2H: 1-0
Yoshihito Nishioka has lost four of his last five matches. His last win was in February. His last match was in Rome, where he lost in straight sets against Lajovic in the opening round. Last season, he lost in straight sets against Auger-Aliassime in the opening round.
Alexei Popyrin has won three of his last five matches. Popyrin had a decent run this week in Geneva, reaching the quarterfinals. He eventually lost to Norrie in straight sets. He has never made it past the second round at the French Open. Last season, Popyrin lost against Kokkinakis in the opening round.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Nishioka is the big underdog in this matchup, but we disagree. He always plays his best tennis at Grand Slam events. Popyrin has never succeeded on clay courts, and we expect a tight match.
That being said, Nishioka covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Yoshihito Nishioka +6.5 games handicap @1,91 @bet365
Ofner – Struff: Time TBA
H2H: 1-1
Sebastian Ofner has won five straight matches. This week in Geneva, Ofner is playing his best tennis. He reached at least the semifinals last season at the French Open. Last season, Ofner lost in the third round against Moutet. He has never made it past the fourth round.
Jan-Lennard Struff has lost four of his last five matches. This week in Hamburg, Engel upset Struff in the opening round. Struff struggled with his form since the beginning of the season. Last season at the French Open, the German lost against de Minaur in the third round in four tight sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Struff is the underdog in this matchup, but we disagree. He is in terrible form but still a solid clay-court player. He had solid results at the French Open for the past couple of years. We expect him to keep this match tight.
That being said, Struff covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Jan-Lennard Struff +2.5 games handicap @1.91 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
