Baghdatis – Cecchinato

Marcos Baghdatis and Marco Cecchinato will square off in the first round at the Bucharest Nastase Tiriac Trophy, with the Cyrpiot star being rated as a 1.30 odds favorite by the bookies.

Baghdatis is having an excellent season so far. Many years have passed since Marcos was so solid on consistent on tour. Baghdatis’ highlights this year include a final in Dubai along with wins over the likes of Goffin, Bautista Agut, F. Lopez or Troicki. The Cypriot played his first clay court tournament of the year a couple of weeks ago in Houston, defeating Verdasco and Schwartzmann (6-0 6-0!) before losing to Sock in the quarters.

Marco Cecchinato was one of the last few players to be accepted on the main draw in Bucharest and the bookies are rating him as the worst player remaining on the draw. I fully agree with their judgement, as Cecchinato is simply not ATP main draw material right now. The Italian is in dreadful form, losing 5 of his last 6 matches and looking unimpressive overall this season. The only thing working in his favor coming into this tournament is the fact that he loves the surface, red clay.

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The two players never met before on tour. In terms of matchup, the only thing that can be said is that the surface in Bucharest suits Cecchinato better.

Listen, clay is definitely the worst surface for Marcos Baghdatis, but he can still play decent tennis on the red dirt and performed very, very well in Houston a few weeks ago. Indeed, the clay there is a bit more special and is faster, but Bucharest doesn`t have slow clay either.

Considering how well and consistent Baghdatis was this season, I can`t see him having any problems defeating an inferior, out of form opponent like Marco Cecchinato. Baghdatis also played in Bucharest last year, losing in the second round to eventual Champions Garcia-Lopez, so he is used to the surface and atmosphere. Him coming back means that he feels good and wants to perform.

With a massive discrepancy in quality and form between the two players, I expect a comfortable win for the Cypriot and my tip will be Baghdatis to win 2:0 (-1,5 set handicap). I can’t see Cecchinato capable of getting close to win a set.

I will take the bet early, as odds are dropping pretty fast and I will invest high stakes on this pick. Prediction: Marcos Baghdatis – Marco Cecchinato 6-3 6-2.

Pick: Baghdatis -1,5 set hc
Odds: 1.90 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 8.10
Event date: 19 April