You could make a case that this is the biggest match of Joao Sousa’s career.
I mean, when you come to the end of your professional tennis journey, that last match is always a big one.
But, a lot of the time, you don’t know when you final contest is and you also don’t often get to do it 300-odd kilometers from your hometown.
Sousa will close the curtains on a cracking career in Estoril’s first round as the 35-year-old will be aiming to win this tournament for the second time but will first need to overcome a tricky test in Arthur Fils.
But, the match against Fils isn’t quite as daunting as what the odds makers are suggesting as the talented youngster hasn’t quite found his mojo in 2024.
That’s to be expected when you burst onto the main draw as a young gun and win your maiden tournament on home soil at Lyon.
The layers have been listing Fils as a short-priced favourite in a lot of his matches but the reality is that he hasn’t been producing in recent times.
Not only has he been generally underwhelming this year, winning just one match on the dirt, he will need to show a level of maturity I haven’t seen from him yet to overcome what will be a sold out and raucous crowd.
That’s all for now, as there’s so much to get through, but I expect Sousa’s to benefit enormously from the occasion.
Suggested Bet:
0.5 units Sousa to WIN @ $4.05 with SportsBet
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.