Welcome to the tennis preview article for January 2. There are a number of tournaments on offer today, so let’s get stuck in to a big day of tennis.
ATP Brisbane
Damir Dzumhur vs Denis Istomin
This price is short, but sweet. All it takes is a quick look at the form of both players to see why I am keen on Dzumhur, especially in the weather Brisbane has been delivering this week. Dzumhur will give Istomin nothing all match, and having watched Istomin a few times late last year, he has been making a habit of phasing in and out of matches more commonly than he has in his career. I am not sure if it is a desire thing, especially at Challenger level, but it is certainly noticeable.
Dzumhur has handled Istomin in the past on hardcourt and on grass, and coming off a career best year, I am happy to side with him here as well.
Suggested Bet:
4.5 units Dzumhur to defeat Istomin at $1.57 at Unibet
ATP Pune
Ramanathan vs Carballes Baena
Very happy to side with Ramanathan here in his home country. This is a very self explanatory play, taking the guy with hardcourt form in India against a Challenger claycourter. Ramanathan should have the power and the polish to win this match in straight sets if he plays as he did in Pune a few months ago.
Suggested Bet
4 units Ramanathan to defeat Carballe Baena at $1.71 at Pinnacle
Nagal vs Ivashka
Similar to the above, the recent form in India of Nagal is worth a small play here. Ivashka deserves to be favourite, however I am not sure it is meant to be this clear cut. A small play on Nagal here is justified based on his Bangalore title a few weeks ago, coupled with his improved gameplay overall. Ivashka is solid, however the conditions here will favour Nagal, and for that reason I am happy with a small play on Nagal to get the win at home.
Suggested Bet
2 units Nagal to defeat Ivashka at $2.50 at Pinnacle
WTA New Zealand
Pending from January 1
4.5 units Van Uytvanck to defeat Hercog at $1.62 at Pinnacle
Putintseva vs Bonaventure
Bonaventure managed to put together 3 very impressive qualifying matches on her way to the main draw, defeating Hogenkamp, Boulter and Rodionova. Her late 2017 form and qualifying form here is interesting, and she presents as a tricky matchup for Putintseva.
Normally in this instance i would back the qualifier to come out and win the first set in a match like this, but knowing Putintseva had trouble putting matches away from a set up late in 2017, makes me want to oppose her over the 3 set format instead.
If Bonaventure can get on top of Putintseva early, she should run away with this match. You are never out of it against Putintseva though, and if this goes to 3 sets I would happily side with Bonaventure there too.
Suggested Bet
2.5 units Bonaventure to defeat Putintseva at $2.10 at Bet365
