The weather in Barcelona took a downward swing on Thursday and the forecast for the rest of the week has to be a worry for the tournament organisers. With some players having to do double time on Friday, it does make me wonder how they will manage to get through the tournament, especially with rain pretty much scheduled for the next few days.
That also means the pick made on Kei Nishikori has been left in limbo although he is scheduled to go on court second time tomorrow. Hopefully he will remain focused on getting some more playing time on the clay courts, but it is a wait and see moment with so much rain in the air and players perhaps having other things scheduled from Monday onwards.
Lukas Rosol v Victor Troicki: I backed Victor Troicki earlier this week, but he wasn't convincing in his win over Tobias Kamke, despite the scoreline. I think he is not playing with a lot of confidence and someone like Lukas Rosol could really get under his skin, especially if his serve is working effectively.
Rosol is likely to be forever known for his win over Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon 2012 than anything else he does on a tennis court and I do have a feeling that will be his high point in his career. However, he is capable of serving big and that could frustrate a player like Troicki who is unlikely to play himself into too much of a rhythm.
With only 2 Ranking positions between these two players, it is no real surprise that this is a pick 'em contest. I just feel Rosol will get the freer service games when it is all said and done and can move through, although I will restrict the units.
Victor Hanescu v Florian Mayer: Victor Hanescu has had a couple of decent wins under his belt in his home tournament and I think there is every chance he can back that up with a third win against Florian Mayer.
In my view, Hanescu has the more potent serve of the two players and he is equally happy playing on the clay courts as is Mayer. Getting few more cheap points on serve will act as a good foundation for Hanescu to build off and I also think he will have a few more opportunities to get invovled in the Mayer service games.
The one concern is that the Romanian hasn't played Mayer since 2007 so may not be in a good rhythm early on in the contest as Mayer uses a lot of slice and variation in his play. This is another pick 'em contest that could go the three set distance, but one where the home crowd can push their man through to the Semi Finals.
MY PICKS: Lukas Rosol @ 2.00 Stan James (1 Unit)
Victor Hanescu @ 2.00 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
Kei Nishikori - 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Pinnacle (2 Units) Advised Yesterday
Weekly Update: 9-3, + 10.18 Units (24 Units Staked, + 42.42% Yield)
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