Roberto Bautista Agut isn’t traditionally required to qualify for Masters 100 tournaments, but after a dire last 12 months, the Spaniard will have to do just that on Tuesday morning.
Waiting opposite the net for the 36-year-old is Challenger journeyman Benjamin Hassan who will look to make a rare appearance in a main draw tournament and is certainly odds against to do so.
I feel as though I’ve read Agut well in 2024 and have had some success backing both against, and in favour of him.
This is a situation in which I’ll be buying into the multi tour-level champion as I simply think the class difference here is too pronounced.
While Hassan has shown competence on the Challenger tour, and even knocked off Arthur Cazaux in the qualifying stages of Indian Wells, how close in the market should he be to the Spaniard?
Hassan has never won a main draw match in his life. Last year he was given two opportunities to do so, losing 7-6, 6-2 to Stricker, and 6-2, 6-1 to Ruusuvouri.
I can understand the layers being a little tentative when pricing Agut as he certainly doesn’t have the juice to match it with the world’s top 20 like he once did, but based on the matches I’ve seen him play, the level he can reach is more than good enough to take care of Hassan.
Yes, he’s 4-7 this season with some bad losses, but he has straight sets wins over Ofner, Cerundolo, Gasquet (in France), and Grenier.
I like the fact that when he rocks up interested and feeling OK, he gets it done in straight sets – we’ll more than likely need that to occur tomorrow.
I’ll admit I haven’t seen a great deal of Hassan but for someone who started $9 BetFair against Cazaux, I can confidently deploy a buy low-sell high strategy here.
Agut is a two-time quarter finalist here with a 16-11 record and an extremely strong hold-break clip. He is an echelon or two above his opponent tomorrow.
Suggested Bet:
1.5 units Agut -3.5 game handicap @ $1.74 with Pinnacle.
Over 18s Only (21+ in some jurisdictions). 1 unit = 1% of bankroll. Please enjoy your betting responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and do not chase a loss.