Tennis Picks 2022 (April 7th)

For the second day in a row, a Pick moved into a strong position before seemingly capitulating.

It is frustrating, but part and parcel of the clay court season- my hope is that I will soon be on the right side of the small margins that are going against me right now.

Roberto Carballes Baena - 3.5 games v Joao Sousa: Both of these players were deserving winners in their First Round matches at the ATP Marrakech tournament, but it is Roberto Carballes Baena who has enjoyed much more consistent success on the clay courts.

Unlike Joao Sousa, this is not the first tournament that Roberto Carballes Baena has played on the red dirt and he has produced plenty of positive results on the clay courts so far this season. Ten wins already have come alongside six defeats, but the Spaniard has played pretty consistently and the numbers are similar to the ones that were produced in 2021.

There is room for improvement as far as the return of serve is concerned, but Roberto Carballes Baena has been slightly stronger behind serve.

He is facing a Joao Sousa coming in off a solid win over Federico Delbonis, but it has been a surprising struggle for this player on the clay courts in recent years. Joao Sousa ended up with a losing record in 2019, 2020 and 2021 on the red dirt, but his win in the First Round here in Marrakech may give Sousa a boost in confidence.

Joao Sousa has mainly had issues on the clay courts because of a vulnerable serve and that has put pressure on his return. He handled that in the First Round despite giving up 10 break point opportunities to Federico Delbonis, and Joao Sousa was able to produce 14 of his own, but in recent years the return has been a problem for the Portuguese player.

The head to head has seen Roberto Carballes Baena win the last three between these players and all of those have come on the clay courts. The last of those was played in 2021 and in those matches it cannot be ignored the big edge that the Spaniard has had on serve.

Roberto Carballes Baena has held 79% of his service games played against Joao Sousa in the last three clay court matches between these players, while Sousa is at a 46% mark. The early clay court tournaments can throw up some surprises, but I think Roberto Carballes Baena is very comfortable on the surface and he should be able to back up his First Round victory with another strong performance on his way through to the Quarter Final.

MY PICKS: Roberto Carballes Baena - 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Botic Van De Zandschlup - 3.5 Games @ 1.72 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Steve Johnson-John Isner Over 25.5 Games @ 1.72 Bet365 (2 Units)

Amanda Anisimova @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)

Madison Keys @ 1.80 Bet365 (2 Units)

Weekly Update: 1-4, - 6.34 Units (10 Units Staked, - 63.40% Yield)