ATP Challenger Canberra (Bendigo)
Kohlschreiber vs Johnson (Approx 2:00pm AEDST)
Value before you consider it, but I am also keen to fade the scheduling.
Kohlschreiber is due for qualifying tomorrow in Auckland, so I will be fascinated to see what unfolds for him today. He is up against a very solid opponent in Steve Johnson, however I cannot see the Canberra title sitting at the top of his agenda for January.
If Kohlschreiber doesn’t play in Auckland next week, he will end up having the week off leading into Melbourne. In what looks to be a slightly weak qualifying draw, I would be surprised if Kohlschreiber didn’t want to try his luck in Auckland (especially looking at the results from last year)
These two met at one of Kohlschreiber’s home tournaments in Halle on the grass last year, with Johnson winning in straight sets. Johnson’s consistent backhand slice can stay quite low in rallies, making it hard for Kohlschreiber to attack with his own back. Instead he will regularly need to try and run around to his own forehand, opening up the court for Johnson if the German doesn’t hit his spots.
Johnson has looked pretty solid this week, and his price today looks to be value given the situation. Happy to make a 2 unit play on Johnson to get the job done today. He is in Bendigo for the tournament there next week, so he can go full bore at the tournament this week. Even if there is an inkling in the back of Kohlschreiber’s mind re Auckland, it gives Johnson an advantage.