Karlovic v Lopez

It’s a battle of the big servers when Ivo Karlovic meets Feliciano Lopez on Monday, with Karlovic holding a 6-4 career head-to-head advantage. Both players are well into the twilight stage of their careers, yet this is their first meeting on clay.

We can’t read too much into the head-to-head records with only two of their meetings coming in the last five years, but nevertheless it is noteworthy that of their 25 sets, 15 have gone to a tie-break!

At bigger than 2/1, this also the longest price Karlovic has ever been priced for a meeting with Lopez, and my gut is that with their service games negating each other, this has to be a decent value investment in a match which really could hinge on a couple of tie-break points one way or the other.

Over 10.5 games has also landed in 16 of their 25 sets in the past, so regardless of the fact we are moving onto clay for this one, the 10/11 on the first set featuring Over 10.5 games feels too big. Another option is to back Karlovic to win the first set 7-6 – it’s 7/2 and has landed in six of their 10 historic meetings! He’s won 9 of their 15 tie breaks.

2pts Karlovic to beat Lopez at 2/1 (General)

1pt Karlovic to win 1st Set 7-6 at 9/2 (Sporting Odds)

1.1pts Over 10.5 Games 1st Set at 10/11 (PP / Betfair)

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