Sony Ericsson Open Daily Tips: Fish out of form

Events / Sean Calvert / 25 March 2010 /

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Mardy Fish could be set to lose in the first round today

"Mardy Fish has played this event eight times and has three opening round defeats, including the last two years in a row."

Low on entertainment, high on punting opportunities. That's how Sean Calvert sees today first round action in Miami. But can he find a winner?

It wasn't the greatest of starts to the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami yesterday, as we became the victims of Benjamin Becker's yearly victory and a first set retirement voided our other bet.

Today there's not much in the way of entertainment on offer, but there are at least some punting opportunities to be had in the men's first round matches. The first of these might well be found in the clash between Mardy Fish [1.8] and Leonardo Mayer [2.24].

Despite being a local, Florida resident Fish has a really poor record in Miami and looks ripe for the taking again this year. He has played this event eight times and has three opening round defeats (including the last two years in a row), four second round defeats and a solitary third round effort to speak of. He's also dropped outside the world's top 100, while today's opponent has risen to number 60 in the world on the back of some solid displays.

Mayer defeated Fish in the only previous completed meeting between the pair, which took place a few weeks ago in Memphis, so he knows how to win against today's favourite. I also like the fact that after a disappointing defeat to Brian Dabul at Indian Wells, Mayer didn't sulk, but headed to Florida early to play in the Sunrise Challenger where he defeated Radek Stepanek en route to the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, Victor Hanescu looks nailed on at [1.41] to heap more misery upon Alejandro Falla, who has lost his last two matches to the tune of 6-1, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-2 against Florian Mayer and Florent Serra.

Hanescu took a set off Federer at Indian Wells and he won the pair's only meeting to date, so he shouldn't have too many problems today. If you're looking for a bit of value you could do worse than have a punt on Marcos Daniel to take out Santiago Giraldo at around [3.6].

The Brazilian has an 8-1 head-to-head advantage over Girlado and although they were all on clay and Giraldo has the better recent form, their personal rivalry might make it interesting at a big price.

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