I don’t often like betting against someone who is at the bottom of their market value, but that’s what I’ll be doing in Estoril’s opening round.
Botic Van De Zandschulp has had a year from hell as it honestly seems like he’s sustained a serious mental trauma from his blown lead at the Munich finale against Holger Rune last year.
Since then, he’s been a shell of himself and a player I don’t really recognize.
I remember when the Dutchman – who had put together a genuinely enormous set of Challenger level data – burst onto the main draw scene at the US Open a few years back, knocking over Casper Ruud and Diego Schwartzman before snagging a set off Medvedev.
He then went on to cement himself as a pretty genuine main draw contender and continued to be a profitable player in the plus money areas.
But, in recent times, he’s been absolutely horrific and he’s going to need to kick himself into gear at Estoril in what I’d describe as a pretty bad match-up.
Federico Coria has more resolve and more determination than 95% of the men’s tour and he’s the player the Dutchman will need to get over to kick himself out of this slump, and I just don’t fancy him to do so.
Coria has played so much clay court tennis this season and has been solid after the golden swing.
Obviously I am less confident in the Argentine away from South America but wins over Krajinovic and Guinard (6-3, 6-0) at Naples gives me the confidence required to take him, here.
I just don’t know how Van De Zandschulp is going to dig himself off the canvas and produce the type of baseline play necessary to win, here.
I am certain Botic’s best level can knock over the very one dimensional Coria, but the Argentine’s rally tolerance is just so good and he’s playing with enough confidence for me to back him, here.
Suggested Bet:
1 unit Federico Coria to WIN @ $1.90 with Bet365.
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.