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/ Sean Calvert / 15 March 2012 / Leave a Comment Isner will need that towel if as expected, his match goes the distance
"Simon will be tired after that late one with Harrison last night and Isner should prevail but the Frenchman will make it tough and a three setter is expected."
Big-serving John Isner and Sean's nemesis Gilles Simon go head-to-head tonight and though Isner looks the more likely winner, the better bet is that it will be a pretty long match os it's time to turn to the total games market.
Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open proved to be an ultimately disappointing one when, after making a great comeback, Ryan Harrison was beaten by Gilles Simon.
The Frenchman is proving to be an unlikely nemesis in this tournament and he next faces John Isner.
Thursday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden sees a reduction in the number of matches with only Isner/Simon and Novak Djokovic v Nico Almagro to choose from on the men's side.
Djokovic was made to struggle by Spaniard Pablo Andujar yesterday, after winning the opening set 6-0, and he'll need to improve on his patchy (by his standards) performances this week against Almagro, but I expect him to do just that.
Almagro is more likely to put in the necessary effort in a best of three than he was when he faced the world number one in Melbourne a year ago, the result being a simple straight sets win finished off by a final set bagel for Nole.
The handicap mark of plus 5.5 games is tempting at around [1.9] and that would probably be my bet in that one. But do you trust Almagro not to throw in the towel if he's taking a beating? I'm not sure that I do.
A better bet looks to be the overs in Simon v Isner with over 23.5 games looking highly likely at a price of around [1.96].
I watched the match between these two at the US Open last year and tipped Isner to win it in this column, which he ultimately did after four tough sets, but there wasn't a great deal in it that day.
Isner hasn't been involved in a tie break so far this tournament, which is a surprise but there's a good chance that this pair will create at least one today and that might be worth an interest as well.
Simon will be tired after that late one with Harrison last night and Isner should prevail but the Frenchman will make it tough and a three setter is expected.
On the women's side I like the chances of Marion Bartoli at around [1.9] to inflict a second Indian Wells defeat in two years upon Ana Ivanovic, who probably won't push on after defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the previous round.
Recommended Bet
Back Over 23.5 games in Isner v Simon at around [1.96]
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