Events / Ben Caudell / 27 April 2009 /

It's not only Rafael Nadal who loves the red stuff - clay also happens to be Ben Caudell's favourite surface to trade on. Our man picks his best bets from the opening day in the Italian capital...

The clay court season is in full swing and this week's event, the BNL D'Italia, the fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the year kicks off today with eight of the world's top ten players featuring in a star studied draw that includes Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and last years champion Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal will be hoping to cement his dominance on the clay by capturing a fourth title in Rome, having won previously in 2007, 2006, and 2005 and by overtaking Roger Federer in total Master 1000 series titles won (currently 14 each) both players having won more than Pete Sampras (11.0) but less than Andre Agassi (17.0) .

The Spaniard enters this year's event as the top seed for the first time with four titles this year and a 33-3 match record. Last year Nadal went out in the second round to fellow countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero after winning back-to-back titles in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. Since this loss Nadal has gone on a 25 match winning streak on the clay and since 2005 he has accomplished a 142-4 record on clay. No wonder he is the overwhelming favourite to capture a 15th ATP World series 1000 title.

Once again, I will be hoping to find some decent value bets on what happens to be my favourite surface to trade on.

Today's Selections:

Andreas Seppi (ITA) v Sam Querrey (USA)

Home favourite Andreas Seppi will have his work cut out against the American Sam Querrey in this late night match-up. The Italian has a 3-7 record at the Rome Masters losing to another American at last year's event, James Blake in three tight sets. The Rome clay is slightly faster than your average clay court so will tend to favour the better server. Querrey's serve will be tough to break down for the Italian and this match potentially could go to three sets with the possibility of a tie-break in one of the sets.

The biggest factor to look at in deciding on a winner in this match is clay court experience. Seppi has played several times this year on the European clay and therefore his movement, groundstrokes, and tactical nous will have already been utilised. Sam Querrey has had little practice on the red stuff with the Rome Masters his first clay court tournament of the year. He has struggled with a hamstring injury recently so won't be match fit. I believe he will find it hard to settle into this match against Seppi who will have the support of the Italian fans, I just hope the Italian has the confidence to see this match through to the end.

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