ATP Acapulco 2nd Round Marquee match: Ferrero vs. Andreev

Acapulco, Mexico – Inquiring minds want to know whether Igor Andreev has a credible shot to derail Juan Carlos Ferrero in Acapulco. In a word, yes. An answer in the affirmative however doesn’t mean that Andreev will have an easy time of it. The opposite, it will be a tall order for the Russian because Ferrero is hot to trot right now and on top of the world. He is the hottest player right now in the South American clay court swing and one of two players to already have two titles on the season (the other being Marin Cilic). Messing with that sort of confidence can only happen if Andreev plays lights out tennis. He is capable of it, especially on clay, his favourite surface. Whether he will find that zone at precisely the right time when he comes up against Ferrero, who is in a zone of his own, is another matter entirely.

Head-to-head, Ferrero takes the 4-1 lifetime edge into his second round encounter against Igor Andreev, which includes a 2-1 mark on clay lifetime.

The only time Andreev beat Ferrero it was a big victory and worthy a mention even if out-of-date; in the R64 at Roland Garros (2004), Andreev dispatched Ferrero in three sets. The victory was a huge upset because Ferrero had been the Roland Garros defending champion after winning the Grand Slam title in 2003.

Since the disheartening loss though, Ferrero has never lost to Andreev and more significantly, never dropped a set to the Russian.

Tennis Betting Line:
Juan Carlos Ferrero -3 -130 -220 22½ O Ev U -140
Igor Andreev +3 -110 +170 22½ O Ev U -140

First Set Line: Juan Carlos Ferrero -180 Igor Andreev +140

Match Time: 09:30 PM Eastern Time Wednesday February 24, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Ferrero enters this match as the -220 favourite and justifiably so. He is also well priced methinks, his backers will see as decent a profit on their risk as possible when betting on a favourite, expected to win. Ferrero is also well priced to take the first set at -180. Given the history between these two players and Ferrero’s current for (10-2 on the season with two-titles) you have to believe he is the correct play. I am sure the trend will fall in line with his odds. Additional value plays are the handicap at -3 -130.

Andreev is the kind of player most players wouldn’t mind to avoid in the draw. He is always a dangerous floater and you never quite know when he might step up. Something like he did in 2004 when he stepped up in Paris against Ferrero , the reigning champ at the time. Keep in mind, Andreev had Federer on the ropes at the Aussie Open earlier this year before succumbing in four sets. For that reason alone Andreev offers value at +170. Yet his unpredictability negates a strong recommendation. I would pound his odds but sprinkle some his way. Just in case, he does tap into that zone to mastermind the biggest upset of the South American clay-court swing.

Bet on this and more of the hottest sports events at BetOnline.com >> Join NOW