Sela – Ram

Reigning ATP Newport Champion Rajeev Ram will meet an in form Dudi Sela in the 2nd round.

Sela is having a very good season on the green so far. The Israelian reached the quarterfinals at Halle a few weeks ago, where he dominated Seppi for a set and a half before eventually losing in three. He lost 0-3 to Ferrer at Wimbledon, but came back to play a great first round match here at Newport, beating Lacko 6-3 6-2. Despite being short and not having a big serve, Sela’s quickness allows him to be a very good grass court player.

Rajeev Ram is the crowned king of Newport, he played the only two finals of his career here and won them both, including last year. The American has always transformed from a challenger player to a giant killer at Newport, but after last year’s win he finally started making noise in other places as well and reached his career high ranking in 2016, almost breaking Top 50. A grass court specialist, Ram had a shockingly miserable season on the green this year, losing 5 of his 6 matches before winning in the first round here at Newport. It was a solid 6-2 6-3 win over his countryman Mackenzie McDonald, but it has to be said that Mcdonald is in horrible form and did not represent a threat.

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The Head 2 Head is tied at 2-2 (no matches on grass), but Sela won the last two meetings easily. Ram`s wins were in 2005 and 2006, so they hold no relevance. Both players play well on grass, Ram is a bit more of a specialist and is a legend here at Newport, but Sella is a very good player on the green as well.

Newport really is a particular tournament. While it always favors big servers / serve & volleyers like Ram, it also favors quick, versatile players like Sela.

Based on form, Sela should really win this game. If it was not Newport, his odds should be somewhere below 1.50. However, Ram is a different player at this tournament and he can be expected to put up a fight, maybe even win it. ‘Rampras’ already started playing better in the first round, even if he faced very poor opposition, so he should be fine today.

My tip is over 22,5 games to be played, but I will keep the stakes reasonable, as I`m a bit worried by the last two H2H matches and by Ram`s form. But, as previously said, Ram always finds a way to perform on these courts and upset the odds. Expect a very entertaining game of tennis and I can see three sets here. Prediction: Dudi Sela – Rajeev Ram 6-2 6-7 6-4.

Pick: over 22,5 games
Odds: 1.81 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 5.67
Event date: 13 July