tennis | Wednesday, April 19, 2023 7:19 AM

Wednesday Tennis Best Bet: ATP Barcelona, Francisco Cerundolo vs Francesco Passaro

Jon Reid

Francisco Cerundolo vs Francesco Passaro Best Bet: Wednesday, April 19th

Nice to get one of those larger stakes bets across the finish line, as Pedro Cachin blew a break lead in the second set, before recovering it at 5-5 and serving out the match.

Onto Wednesday, where we’ll preview the matchup between Francisco Cerundolo and Francesco Passaro from Barcelona.

In this article:

Francisco Cerundolo vs Francesco Passaro Preview
Francisco Cerundolo vs Francesco Passaro Best Bet

Francisco Cerundolo vs Francesco Passaro Preview

April 19th, 13:00 (UK Time)

Talk about a young gun taking his chance.

Passaro is having a solid two-week span in Spain, as the young Italian reached the semifinal of the Challenger event in the capital of Madrid a week ago, and has now come through qualifying and beaten a declining veteran in Fernando Verdasco in Barcelona this week.

It’s been the way in which he’s won that has been the most impressive part of his strong form though.

In his last five matches, Passaro has won seven sets by a score of 6-2 or better. He’s constructing points and hitting cleanly, and with his high ceiling in terms of talent, I wouldn’t sleep on him in this matchup.

Even his loss in the semifinal last week to Alexander Shevchenko (another promising youngster to watch out for as an underdog on Wednesday in Barcelona) saw him win the opening set 6-0.

Cerundolo is certainly a step up in competition for Passaro, but he hasn’t been the most convincing this season.

His early play on clay during the Golden Swing in South America a few months back was incredibly underwhelming, and last week in Monte Carlo, he lost to Matteo Berrettini who is far from his best physically right now and who was so drained after that match he had to withdraw from the event following that victory.

Cerundolo has a nasty forehand that is tough to beat when it’s clicking, but it can also be rather volatile and his ability to pull back and find ways to win points by constructing points and mixing up play with spins, speed changes and a more defensive mindset simply isn’t there.

Francisco Cerundolo vs Francesco Passaro Best Bet

I’m by no means suggesting that Passaro should be the favourite in this matchup. Cerundolo has proven himself far more at the top level and against big names to this point.

I do, however, think that Passaro is a name we’ll be hearing more of in the future and in his current form, I’m happy to buy low on him, especially since I only need him to win one set.

The fact I can back him at this price against a guy who hasn’t looked particularly good on clay this year and who is volatile makes this decision a bit easier.