Events / Ben Caudell / 10 August 2010 /

Ben Caudell tells us why the playboy-looking Belgian is the best pick from today's action...

Xavier Malisse (BEL) v Michael Berrer (GER)

The resurgent Belgian Xavier Malisse looks to be back to his very best after a turbulent 12 months in which the 30 year old was provisionally suspended from playing tennis for a year, having missed a scheduled drug test.

Much to Malisse's relief, the suspension was lifted on appeal a month later, allowing him to continue his rise up the world rankings; the Belgian has climbed from a low of 253 in the world this time last year to a very respectable current ranking of 52.
His ascent can be allied to the form he has shown on his favourite surface, the outdoor hard courts. This culminated last week in a semi-final showing at the Washington ATP Tour 500 series event where Malisse played some exceptional tennis to dispatch three seeded players Julien Benneteau (12), John Isner (5), and Wimbledon Finalist Tomas Berdych (1), before losing to eighth seed Marcos Baghdatis.

After having a couple of days rest Malisse will be looking to continue his push to break into the top 40 here in Toronto, where he faces first round opponent Michael Berrer of Germany, a player he has a 2-0 head-to-head series lead over. Crucially, both these match wins were played on hard courts and at the Challenger series level in 2009.

Michael Berrer has been struggling with his form of late although he did manage to take Fernando Verdasco to a third set tie-break in Washington last week, playing aggressive, attacking tennis. The German, who is ranked at 47 in the world, is 1-9 in all matches and 5-5 on the hard courts; his last win in Canada was way back in 2002 and he has since lost four matches in a row.

Malisse on the other hand is 9-1 In Canada, 6-4 on hard courts and has past form here in Toronto, having reached the quarter-finals in 2006 where he lost to Roger Federer in three sets.

With the Belgian looking in imperious form, extremely relaxed and at ease with his game on court at the moment (not to mention the head-to-head record) I can see this being a straight set win for Malisse. The winner of this match faces Andy Murray in round two and another big named scalp could be up for grabs for the Belgian, if he manages to get past lefthander Berrer today. So get on Malisse to win by more than 3.5 games as your best bet for today.

Selection:

Back Malisse 2-0 @ [2.3]
Back Malisse -3.5 Games @ [1.9]

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