Fernando Verdasco will face Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the Sofia Open. The game will start on September 28 at 14:30.
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Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #1 – Handicap (-1) for Basilashvili – 1.80.
Bookmaker Ratings: Prediction #2 – Total Games Over 22 – 1.86.
Verdasco has not played a single indoor match this year, so we think it will be difficult for him to perform at his best on the Sofia courts. We suggest that Basilashvili should be favoured in this match, his playing style is noticeably better suited to the indoors.
The tennis players have faced each other on three previous occasions. All three matches have been evenly fought, including the Australian Open two years ago. We believe that the upcoming match will also be a long one.
Verdasco is having a very weak season, which isn’t surprising. The Spaniard is 38 years old after all.
Fernando has only won four main draw matches this year. In all cases, they have been on the clay.
Last week, Verdasco lost to Denis Kudla (3-6, 3-6) in the first round of the San Diego tournament.
Before that, the former world #7 lost to world #623 oray Kirchi (4-6, 3-6) in the second round of the Challenger in Istanbul. Even at this level, Verdasco sometimes has epic failures.
Verdasco has lost his last seven fights in the halls.
Basilashvili finally broke his losing streak last week. The Georgian made one round at the Metz tournament.
In fact, though, Nikoloz failed to win even here. Zizou Bergs, whom he faced in the first round, did not finish the match due to injury. The Belgian withdrew at 6-4, 2-1 in his favour.
In the next match, Basilashvili lost to Arthur Rinderknech (6-7, 3-6).
Earlier, Nikoloz failed to overcome the first round in Bostad, Hamburg, Cincinnati, Winston-Salem and at the US Open.
Here, it is worth noting that Basilashvili’s results have deteriorated markedly due to problems in his personal life. In August, his ex-wife gave evidence of physical and emotional abuse.
Basilashvili has lost four times in his last five first-round matches.
In 3 of Basilashvili’s last 5 matches, more than 9.5 games have been played in the first set. We offer to bet on “1st Set Games – Over 9.5” with odds of 1.64.
Verdasco has played two tie-breaks in his last five matches. We offer to bet on “Tie-Break – Yes” with odds of 2.57.
Type of Court – Indoor Hard
Speed of Court – 6/10
Verdasco’s Rating – 115
Fernando Verdasco Wins/Losses in 2022 – 30/27
Basilashvili’s Rating – 36
Nikoloz Basilashvili Wins/Losses in 2022 – 14/28
Verdasco leads with a score of 2-1 in the head-to-head encounters. The last time they met was at the Australian Open in 2020. Fernando defeated Nikoloz (4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4) in two sets.
The match will be played at Center Court, Arena Armeec, Sofia, Bulgaria.
We recommend checking out the odds for the Sofia Open: Verdasco vs Basilashvili at 22bet and MelBet.