Paris Masters Day Two Tips: Veteran can defy odds to halt resurgent Lopez

Events / Ben Caudell / 10 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Clement has won 68% of his last 50 matches against left-handers and I expect him to get through this one in front of the rowdy Parisian crowd."

Ben Caudell selects the best bets on day two in Paris as a veteran native meets an in-form Spaniard...

Feliciano Lopez (ESP) v Arnaud Clement (FRA)

Veteran Arnaud Clement will have his work cut out today against the resurgent Feliciano Lopez. The home favourite, who has graced the tennis circuit since 1995 with his tactical wizardry, holds a diploma in mathematics and will have to have his calculator to hand if he is to subtract Lopez from this equation, especially as Lopez has put his season back on track with solid performances in Vienna and Valencia.

Before Shanghai Feliciano Lopez had lost six out of six first round matches, his incredible decline from 28 in the world rankings at the start of year to his present 47 highlights the lack in confidence the Spaniard had been experiencing from August to October. With recent wins over David Fererer, Jurgen Melzer and Robin Soderling, a new look Lopez is back on the scene, competing for a place in the Spanish Davis Cup squad.

Arnaud Clement's game can disturb a player like Lopez. He has a good record on indoor hard courts, 8-2, reached the semi-finals of Lyon two weeks ago and managed to reach the quarter- finals of Stockholm, having had to qualify. Conditions in Paris should suite Clement, if he is to win he will have to aim balls at backhand, dictate play from the back and hit a high percentage of service returns. Clement has won 68% of his last 50 matches against left-handers and I expect him to get through this one in front of the rowdy Parisian crowd.

Selection: Back Arnaud Clement @ [2.54] to win match