tennis | Tuesday, September 20, 2022 7:53 AM (Revised at: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 9:14 AM)

Tuesday Tennis Best Bet: ATP San Diego, Denis Kudla vs Fernando Verdasco

Jon Reid

Denis Kudla vs. Fernando Verdasco Best Bet: Tuesday, September 20th

For Tuesday’s men’s selection, we stick on the west coast of the United States in sunny San Diego, this time breaking down the match between Denis Kudla and Fernando Verdasco.

After a thoroughly unimpressive summer of hard-court play, Kudla will look to get back on track at a post-U.S. Open 250.

As for Verdasco, whilst his level has certainly dropped from where it once was, it’s been a relatively strong summer for someone approaching the age of 40.

In this article:

Denis Kudla vs Fernando Verdasco Preview
Denis Kudla vs Fernando Verdasco Best Bet

Denis Kudla vs Fernando Verdasco Preview

September 21, 1:30 am (UK Time)

The spring hard-court season that saw Kudla have a decent amount of success is a distant memory at this point. After some tough results on slow courts that don’t really suit his game, Kudla went on to win the Phoenix Challenger (typically one of the stronger fields thanks to the points on offer, as well as the proximity to Indian Wells) and then surprise many people by making the third round as a qualifier on the slow courts in Miami.

Heading into the summer, it seemed as though the American was primed for a few more decent runs, since the courts in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Montreal and New York play quicker than many early-season hard court events. Sadly for Kudla, that didn’t pan out. In fact, he won just a single match in seven events prior to making the semifinals at a Challenger last week.

His flat hitting style lends itself to quicker courts, but it also means he has less margin for error on his shots. When things go off the rails, it can be difficult to get back on track,

As for Verdasco, there’s no doubt he’s a far cry from the player he was about 10 years ago. That said, he still possesses a big lefty game that can alternate between powerful forehands and topspin shots from that wing that allow him to play with more rally tolerance until he sees an opening.

In a tough stylistic matchup at the U.S. Open with Soonwoo Kwon, Verdasco was able to claim a set as a lucky loser, and had a few wins in qualifying, as well as at the Vancouver Challenger before losing in three sets to an in-form Constant Lestienne.

While I’m not going to make the case that Verdasco is the better player in this match, I do believe he’s slightly undervalued. His ability to keep things close shouldn’t be in question. Between Kudla’s bouts of inconsistency and Verdasco still being able to rip the ball in his own right, the potential for an upset is certainly there.

Denis Kudla vs Fernando Verdasco Best Bet

For me, a potentially close match or Verdasco outright win are the two markets showing the most value. So, as I’m wont to do of late, I’ll be splitting my wagers across a few markets.

Rather than a bet to win with a bonus selection of games handicaps, with an underdog presenting value, I’ll be going for the over, as well as Verdasco to win in this one.