tennis | Friday, June 30, 2023 7:48 AM

Friday Tennis Best Bet: ATP Mallorca, Adrian Mannarino vs Yannick Hanfmann

Jon Reid

Adrian Mannarino vs Yannick Hanfmann Best Bet: Friday, June 30th

Unbelievable how poor Terence Atmane looked on his preferred surface against a player with very little to offer other than his first serve. Moez Echargui just sat and waited for errors and the Frenchman was all too eager to give them up.

As the week mercifully comes to an end, we’ll wrap up our men’s previews by taking a look at the match between Adrian Mannarino and Yannick Hanfmann from Mallorca.

In this article:

Adrian Mannarino vs Yannick Hanfmann Preview
Adrian Mannarino vs Yannick Hanfmann Best Bet

Adrian Mannarino vs Yannick Hanfmann Preview

June 30th, 17:00 (UK Time)

What a week it’s been for Hanfmann on grass, in what has been the best season of his career at age 31. He began his week on the island of Mallorca with a dominant win over clay courter Pedro Cachin. Then he pulled off the upset against Stefanos Tsitsipas, before ending the career of Feliciano Lopez.

What’s impressed me most, though, is the tactical awareness he’s had in each match.

Against Tsitsipas, he was well aware of how weak the Greek’s backhand is and exploited it to perfection. Against Lopez, he knew he was going to face a heavy dose of serve-and-volleying and he was prepared, timing the serves up after a few games on return and started to hit his returns in awkward spots for the veteran and executed passing shots well.

That smart play, combined with a very strong serve and big forehand is something I’m looking to back.

Yes, Mannarino is one of the few grass-court specialists remaining in the sport, but there are a few reasons I feel comfortable backing the underdog in this spot.

For starters, Mannarino may not be physically at his best. He appeared to pick up a knock in the opening set that hampered him until his opponent, Corentin Moutet, imploded. He was also heard on court telling his coaching box that he wasn’t all that eager to come back on Thursday and play another match here.

Finally, while Mannarino isn’t the same type of player as Lopez, he does possess a decent serve and is left-handed. In that sense, the match against the Spaniard certainly could’ve helped Hanfmann prepare for some of what he may see in the semifinals.

Adrian Mannarino vs Yannick Hanfmann Best Bet

With the big-serving Hanfmann showing some strong form, along with Mannarino having some question marks around both his health and motivation, I’m happy to oppose the Frenchman the week before Wimbledon – what should prove to be his most fruitful slam.

Hanfmann is probably far more motivated to go out and win his maiden ATP Tour title and continue his ascent up the rankings. I’ll take him to pull off the minor upset in this one.