The Miami Open tennis tournament from Crandon Park Tennis Center gets started for the men and so do our tennis picks. Some of the men started on Wednesday, so Thursday will be a continuation of the first round. We saw mostly expected results on Wednesday as Juan Martin Del Potro advanced in straight sets, Vasek Pospisil won in three sets, Mikhail Youzhny took care of Ernests Gulbis in straight sets, Marcel Granollers won in straight sets, Fernando Verdasco topped Gilles Mueller in straight sets and young sensation Alexander Zverev also took care of business in straight sets (although he needed both tiebreakers).
As we continue with the rest of the first round on Thursday, there are a number of matches to choose from for our tennis picks. If you have some local knowledge of what the Miami Open is like, that might help you make a few betting plays you can feel confident about. Here is a look at our three favorite tennis picks from the card:
Marcos Baghdatis vs. Benjamin Becker
Betting Odds: Baghdatis -227
This is a matchup which should go to Baghdatis. It was just last month in Dubai that Baghdatis made a very surprising run to the final. That is a hardcourt event, so Baghdatis has gained a lot of match-play experience on hardcourts in recent weeks. That should enable him to hit the ball smoothly and attain a good rhythm in this match against Becker, another longtime veteran who – if you recall – was the opponent in Andre Agassi’s last match in 2006. Baghdatis’ recent form on hardcourts should see him through this match, though one can acknowledge that Baghdatis can easily revert to the undependable player he’s been for most of the past several seasons. Still, Baghdatis is the better call here. Take Baghdatis with your tennis picks in this one.
Pick: Baghdatis in straight sets
Elias Ymer vs. Federico Delbonis
Betting Odds: Delbonis -294
This is a match which should primarily be determined based on recent form. Delbonis, it is worth noting, ousted Andy Murray in the Indian Wells tournament. You might say that Murray was taxed after playing Davis Cup for Great Britain on the weekend before Indian Wells started. However, Murray’s Indian Wells campaign didn’t begin until the following weekend. He had time to prepare. Also, Novak Djokovic also played Davis Cup that same weekend, and he won Indian Wells. The Delbonis win over Murray should not be brushed aside or minimized. It was a big win, the kind of result which should give Delbonis a lot of confidence as he tries to move forward in his career.
The other note is something you’ll see below as well: In Miami, Argentine players usually get a lot of crowd support. A vocal contingent turns out regularly with the white and blue soccer stripes. If this match ever gets close and contentious, the crowd should give Delbonis an extra lift. Go with Delbonis for your tennis picks in this situation.
Pick: Delbonis in straight sets
Damir Dzumhur vs. Leonardo Mayer
Betting Odds: Mayer -400
This is a match which should go to Mayer, primarily because Mayer was a seeded player at Grand Slam events not too long ago, having cracked the top 30. He has been inconsistent over the past several months, and for that reason, Dzumhur could pick him off. However, Mayer still has some game left in his arsenal, and if things do get dicey, the pro-Argentine crowd in Miami should be able to energize him and give him a little kick if he’s dragging. That is the kind of thing a road-weary veteran should take a lot of solace from.
Moreover, Dzumhur has not established himself on tour to the extent that one should view him as the kind of player who deserves the benefit of the doubt from a betting standpoint. It’s not an easy call, but if you had to lean in one direction, Mayer’s definitely the better play. Take him with your tennis picks in this showdown.
Pick: Mayer in three sets
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