Cilic – Isner

Marin Cilic John Isner betting tips atp finals

Marin Cilic and John Isner will play on Wednesday for their survival at the 2018 ATP Nitto finals, as both players lost their opening matches in straight sets against Zverev and Djokovic respectively.

Cilic did not enter London in great form at all, having lost 5 of his last 8 matches overall, but played pretty well against Alex Zverev on Monday. Cilic held his own against the German and actually was a break up in both sets (was 5-2 up in the first), but dropped the lead each time and eventually lost in two tiebreaks, 6-7 6-7.

Isner only finished 10th in the ATP race this season, and was lucky to get into the ATP finals due to the retirements of Nadal and Del Potro. Like Cilic, the American has not been in great form since the US Open, only managing a QF showing at Stockholm in the last few months. Isner did his best on Monday against Djokovic, but there was nothing he could do against a red hot Nole – being thoroughly outplayed and eventually losing 4-6 3-6.

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Cilic leads the H2H 7-3, which does suggest that he has a matchup advantage over Isner. However, the H2H on hard courts is only 4-2, and Isner won two of the last three meetings. The previous clash between the two was this year in Miami, and Isner won that 7-6 6-3.

On Monday neither player managed to consistently hold his serve, but that was always going to be expected against two brilliant returners like Zverev and Djokovic. This time around, in what should be a tight clash, breaks of serve are likely to be rare.

Both guys have cannon-like serves and it will be difficult for either one to get a sniff on the return, particularly when you consider the fast surface in London this week. The Atp Finals have the second fastest surface from all ATP Masters events this year (as per the court pace index released by the ATP), virtually tied for the first place with Shanghai.

Look for both players to try and secure their serve at first, taking less risks, knowing that a defeat would almost surely send the loser home. With that in mind, considering their powerful serves, and taking into account the fast surface, a first set tiebreak looks more likely to occur than not.

It also has to be said that Isner and Cilic played 6 first set tiebreaks in their 10 meetings.

In their last 7 meetings, they played 5 first set tiebreaks, and another one finished 7-5.

All in all a 7-6 score for either one of these players in the first set looks like a logical choice, and well worth a shot at odds around evens. My tip will be over 12,5 games to be played in the first set. Prediction: Marin Cilic – John Isner 7-6 7-6.

Pick: over 12,5 games in first set
Odds: 2.07 @ Unibet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 7.49
Event date: 14 November

About Rostick

Born in '88. Running betting tips websites since 2007. Launched Betdistrict in 2013. Worked as a bookie for a year to spy on the other side. Rugby Union and NBA expert. Editor info & statistics.

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