Is in the Italian Open semi-finals in Rome. The ATP Masters 1000 event has been eventful with six-time Italian Open title winner Novak Djokovic making a quarter-final exit. World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev is part of the last four. Medvedev has been vocal about his distaste for “red dirt”, but he now finds himself in it after entering the tournament with an 0-3 record in Rome. The Russian will face world number five Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, while Kasper Ruud of norway will face 20-year-old Dane Holger Roon in the other semi-final match.
Between two matches, there is a bet to be placed here.
Medvedev vs Tsitsipas over 22.5 games
Medvedev has a 7-4 record against Tsitsipas, so the history is more familiar. The current conditions in Rome (cold and rain) have been beneficial for Medvedev. It has given him an easier time with the ball. The bounce is muted while the cooler temperatures make the balls a bit more flat and slower.
This means a battle of the baseline game. Medvedev will be able to overtake Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas is the better clay-court player, but he could be in for some grueling rallies in this matchup.
Tsitsipas (-150) vs Medvedev
Tsitsipas is playing high quality tennis partly because of his serve. She has played three out of four matches, serving better than 85% of first-serve points … on a slow clay court.
Medvedev as a strong returner will be a big test for Tsitsipas. However, Tsitsipas is apparently back to full health from a shoulder injury with a better, more aggressive backhand. He is backing it to give himself time to find more clean shots, which has helped with consistency and more topspin. It is this topspin that makes it difficult for opponents to counter the shot. Combine his serve with an already powerful forehand and now a strong backhand, and I like Tsitsipas with a win over Medvedev.
Condition: Tsitsipas (-150)