Yuki Bhambri vs Arjun Kadhe: Back under 19.5 total match games @ 5/6 (ATP Pune Tuesday, 7.00am)
There’s simply a very big gap between these two. Bhambri is a proven player ranked 118 and while Kadhe has reached his career high of 610, that’s simply a different world on the tour. As an example, Kadhe won only two games against 175 ranked Vatutin, which we believe is the closest comparison we can use for tonight’s match. Bhambri has even bigger ambitions, while Kadhe simply has a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at this level and his compatriot will bring him back to reality.
Kristyna Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko: Back Pliskova +1.5 set handicap @ 4/6 (WTA Shenzhen, Tuesday 5.05am)
It was very easy to be unimpressed with Ostapenko’s performance in her last few exhibition matches, especially in her match-up against Serena. Ostapenko did look slightly better than previous matches, but Serena was so bad and out of form that the Latvian simply should have had far less problems with the returning American.
This is only a continuation of Ostapenko’s poor form who seems to be a bit star-struck after winning her maiden Grand Slam title in Paris earlier in 2017. In addition, all the money that sponsors are throwing at her with lucrative contracts (that always require photo/video shoots) don’t seem to be helping the cause. The less famous Pliskova twin still has a good enough game to give Ostapenko major problems. Most of the time Ostepenko experiences holes in her game throughout the match, just big enough for a solid opponent to grab a set and complicate things.
Caroline Wozniacki vs Madison Brengle: Back Wozniacki -5.5 games handicap @ 8/11 (WTA Auckland, 11.05pm)
Wozzers doesn’t mess around with matches like this and is one of the hardest working players on tour. After a very strong 2017, which was supported by her fiancée former NBA star David Lee, it’s safe to say that the Dane is finally over Rory McIlroy and is ready to focus on the final stage of her playing career. One of the most solid defenders on tour, Wozniacki has too many options to wear down Brengle, who can hit big but will have a very hard time hitting through the Wozniacki wall. This was evident in their two previous match-ups, where the American won a total of five games. We expect something very similar tonight.
Ryan Harrison vs Andy Murray: Back Harrison @ 7/4 (ATP Brisbane, Weds 01.00)
Although we still believe in the great Scotsman, it’s too early to expect top form and great things for Andy just yet. We got a glimpse of what can be expected of him in Abu Dhabi, when he unexpectedly jumped in for Djokovic (who seems to be in even worse shape than Andy). It simply didn’t look good. And while Murray was always known for his limp and slow movement between the points, he was simply way below the norm in almost all aspects of the game.
Harrison had the best year of his career in 2017 by hitting ranking no. 40 by winning his first ATP singles title and reaching another final. It doesn’t hurt to mention he also won a Grand Slam doubles title and reached another Quarter-final in doubles. This is simply a too big of an opportunity to miss out on for the American and all he needs to do is take advantage of what’s there.
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