The Swiss Indoors Basel continues today with two interesting clashes that shows a mix of experience and recent momentum. Top seed Taylor Fritz faces the in-form Valentin Vacherot, while two of tennis most exciting young talents, Jakub Mensik and Joao Fonseca, meet for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Taylor Fritz vs. Valentin Vacherot
Match: First Round (Round of 32), Head-to-Head: 0-0
Taylor Fritz enters Basel as the top seed, positioned firmly in the race for a place in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The American will be keen to get a deep run to keep his standing among the top eight. Fritz’s game is well suited for indoor hard courts and he’ll looking to start strong and avoid a tough early exit.
He faces arguably the most dangerous floater in the draw though, wild card Valentin Vacherot. The Monegasque player arrives in Basel on the back of a truly fairytale run, having won the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai as a qualifier. That incredible title got him into the Top 40 of the ATP Rankings and he will carry great confidence into this match. Vacherot has stated his intention to “repeat what I did tennis-wise and physically in Shanghai,” let’s see what can come of this.
Predictions and Best Bets
One of the best matches of the round and it will be interesting to see Vacherot’s performance after the week in Shanghai. He is now on a 12-2 ATP-level record this season.
This looks a bit like a bad draw for both players, but it’s very hard to predict Vacherot at the moment. Before the win in China, he spent most court time on the Challenger circuit.
Fritz is one of the more consistent players on tour this season and even though he played a lot lately, his form has been really good for most parts. I think he will progress here but it might take three sets.
Top bets:
- Set betting 2-1 Fritz
- Total Games Over 22.5, at odds around 1.90 or -110
Jakub Mensik vs. Joao Fonseca
Match: Second Round, Head-to-Head: Mensik 0-1 Fonseca
Here we’re seeing the future of the ATP Tour, where the Czech Jakub Mensik, the 7th seed, take on Brazilian young star Joao Fonseca.
Mensik survived a three-set battle in the first round against local wild card Henry Bernet where he managed 18 aces without being broken. Mensik has enjoyed a good season, highlighted by a Masters 1000 title in Miami, but his recent fitness has been a slight question mark after a retirement in Beijing.
Fonseca, however, comes into the match after a massive statement win, taking down defending champion Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets when he showed great touch and court awareness. That victory was his first main-draw win at a tour-level indoor event and a huge confidence booster.
Predictions and Best Bets
Fonseca won their only past encounter on tour, at last years Nextgen Finals and he has a slight edge also looking at recent form and momentum.
Mensik has a great serve but the Brazilian did well against the best server on tour in the last round and we’ll go for a hard-fought win for Fonseca here today.
Top Bets:
- Fonseca to win – 1.67 or -150
- Total Games Over 23.5 – 1.91 or -110
To bet on the game, check our recommended tennis sportsbooks where all of them offer good odds on the ATP Basel event.
