Indian Wells Thursday Betting: Doctor Ivo to give Nadal a headache

Events / Sean Calvert / 17 March 2011 /

" class="free_bet_btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">

If Rafa starts as poorly as he did in his last match Karlovic can snap up the first set in no time

"Historically, Ivo has given Nadal a lot of trouble in their matches and has won a set in each of their three previous clashes, including their Australian Open match of last year that Rafa won in four."

Sean Calvert re-found some form yesterday and so has Ivo Karlovic over the last few days. He may not beat Rafa Nadal but he can cause him some problems.

It was a great betting day at the BNP Paribas Open yesterday, with my [2.8] tip, Tommy Robredo, obliging in straight sets, despite playing through an injury.

Once again Sam Querrey choked up more unforced errors than you can shake a stick at and once more we're in profit at the expense of the hapless American.

We're into the quarter finals today and the first two matches are Juan Martin Del Potro v Tommy Robredo and Rafa Nadal v Ivo Karlovic.

It's hard to make any sort of case for Tommy in the first match, given his injury and the fact that Del Potro won their two previous clashes pretty easily. The Argentine should ease through, but at [1.17] you won't get rich in the process.

In the other match, Karlovic at least has a puncher's chance, after finding some form this week after a slow start to 2011.

Historically, Ivo has given Nadal a lot of trouble in their matches and has won a set in each of their three previous clashes, including their Australian Open match of last year that Rafa won in four.

The world number one has had perhaps the easiest draw in any Masters Series event so far, with wins over Rik de Voest, Ryan Sweeting and Somdev Devvarman, not one of whom are in the world's top 80.

It's hard to tell what sort of form Rafa is in, as his last five matches since the Australian Open have been against much lower ranked players.

Karlovic has beaten decent returners this week and neither David Ferrer, Gilles Simon and Albert Montanes could take a set off the big man, so I don't think Rafa will find it that easy tonight.

Rafa admitted that he played 'terrible in the beginning' against Devvarman, who broke Nadal in the very first game last night and that sort of start against Ivo could see the set lost. We all know how hard it is to break Dr Ivo's booming serve.

Rafa was beaten by a big-hitting Croatian here last year and while he should come through this one, I'm not sure it will be in straight sets, so the lay of Nadal 2-0 at [1.46] looks the call.

Recommended bet:

Lay Nadal to beat Karlovic 2-0 at [1.46]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>