Thursday 19/06/2014, 11:00, ATP Eastbourne, Richard Gasquet vs Martin Klizan

Richard Gasquet vs Martin Klizan Betting Preview

Richard Gasquet did his very best to finish among the top players at Roland Garros, but unfortunately for him he suffered an untimely elimination. He plays quite well on clay but his height and sheer strength make him a player more suitable for fast surfaces, with grass being a shining example. He continues his adventure at the ATP Eastbourne tournament, knowing that in order to win his first trophy this season, he will need to outshine Martin Klizan.

Richard Gasquet vs Martin Klizan Betting Odds

At Bet365

Richard Gasquet 1.40, Martin Klizan 2.75

Richard Gasquet vs Martin Klizan Betting Tips

Richard Gasquet is 1.83m tall and can hit the ball at remarkable speeds, which makes him deadly on the English grass. This tournament is the last and most important warm-up for Wimbledon on, which means that the French player will need to make his best to reach the final stages.

To some extent, it would be a disadvantage for Richard to play tennis on Sunday, since the tournament starts early next week. On the bright side, he will have enough days to rest before he gets to play the first match and a victory at Eastbourne will greatly improve his ranking. If this happens, he is more likely to enjoy a free ride in the first round of Wimbledon, while playing against weaker opponents in the second round.

The reason for why he failed to make the semifinals at Roland Garros is that his first service was disappointing when he needed it most. Gasquet is clearly on the mend and won the first match in this ATP tournament without breaking a sweat. He will try to replicate that performance against an ambitious player from Slovakia who is quite confident in his ability to score aces.

Martin Klizan is just as tall and powerful as his opponent, but he is four years younger, which could make the difference if the match takes longer than expected. This rarely happens on grass, where any mistake can have terrible consequences and that's why the Frenchman's superior experience is so important.

Key Facts

• The two players met just once so far and it was Richard Gasquet that emerged victorious last year in Montréal
• This season, Martin Klizan won a tournament, while his opponent is still seeking his first triumph

Richard Gasquet vs Martin Klizan Betting Prediction

The odds for an outright victory for Richard Gasquet are small, but punters can greatly enhance them by taking slight chances. If the Frenchman is to win the match he will probably do it in only two sets, an outcome that is priced at even odds by Bet365.

Bet: Richard Gasquet 2-0 @ 1.85 with Bet365