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Mixed martial arts Monday Tennis Best Bet: ATP Banja Luka, Radu Albot vs Dimitar Kuzmanov
Radu Albot vs Dimitar Kuzmanov Best Bet: Monday, April 17th
Tough week finishes with an eyebrow-raising result as Taylor Fritz thumped Stefanos Tsitsipas. It was a week that had no rhyme or reason for me, and it showed in the results.
This is all about long-term sustainability and success, however, so it’s important to stay the course and try to continue making rational, well thought through decisions with our bets.
With that said, a new week brings a trio of ATP tournaments, with a 500-level event in Barcelona and a pair of 250s in Munich and Banja Luka, Bosnia.
For our Monday selection, we’ll break down the matchup between Radu Albot and Dimitar Kuzmanov from Banja Luka.
In this article:
Radu Albot vs Dimitar Kuzmanov Preview
April 17th, 11:30 (UK Time)
Another match for Albot on clay, another day I’ll look to oppose him.
Once again, we get a quality Challenger Tour clay-court player at underdog odds to oppose him with.
Kuzmanov is one of those players that is consistently undervalued by the market because of his win-loss record and the fact that he does lose relatively frequently.
The nice part of that is those losses are often predictable and against guys you’d expect to beat him in certain situations. Or, he loses to players he really shouldn’t, but from an odds perspective, it’s tough to back him as he’s a strong favourite (think the matches in which he was strongly favoured against guys like Jay Clarke and Damir Dzumhur – not really tempting in the least to back him in those spots).
Clay is the Bulgarian’s preferred surface, and it was hard courts he’s looked to gain confidence on and improve on in recent years. That’s a nice plus, considering Albot is not comfortable with the footwork, movement and speed of clay courts.
We opposed Albot with such a player on Friday in Piros and won (though he made a meal of that match before finishing it off). Kuzmanov has much of the same upside, but doesn’t commit nearly as many frustrating unforced errors against guys looking to coax them out of him. Further, Kuzmanov’s improvement in playing aggressive tennis on hard courts, has led to a more dynamic game on clay as well, with his forehand now more threatening.
I’m also still wondering where the significant wins from Albot are. I remain thoroughly underwhelmed by those he beat leading into that Piros match and his only win on clay since was in the first round of qualifying against an ageing hard courter who hits a super flat ball and has never done anything on clay in Aldin Setkic.
Throw in the long week in Split, and the consistent rain delays stopping play and I’m happy to bet against Albot here.
Radu Albot vs Dimitar Kuzmanov Best Bet
The only concern I would’ve had in this spot would be that Kuzmanov retired in his last event just two games into his match with Roberto Carballes Baena (in Marrakech’s second round). Those concerns were alleviated when he beat a talented Luca Nardi in straight sets in the opening round of the qualifying draw.
I would make that case that’s a more impressive win than beating Albot this round (should he manage to do that).
I have the 29-year-old much closer to even money than the 2.63 odds we have on offer at the moment.
Even the data likes Kuzmanov, whose mixed clay elo rating is actually higher than his Moldovan opponent’s.
- Selection: Kuzmanov to win
- Best Odds: 2.63 (Unibet)
- Stakes: 4/10
Odds as at 4:00 am on April 13th, 2023. Odds may now differ.
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