As the ATP tournament in Athens reaches the round of 16, anticipation builds among tennis fans. With the absence of regular commentator Dave, I’m stepping in to share my insights and betting predictions for this week’s matches in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics.
The tournament kicks off with a matchup between Brandon Nakashima and Marcos Giron at 18:30. The pair has met four times previously, with Nakashima winning three out of those four encounters. Their last clash was at ATP Chengdu in September, where Nakashima secured a victory. While both players are at a similar performance level recently, with a 4-6 record in their last ten matches, Nakashima holds a slight edge overall with 33 wins against 29 losses for the year, compared to Giron’s 22 wins and 27 losses.
Given Nakashima’s historical dominance in their matchups, he is favored to win. For Giron to claim victory, it would require an improbable turn of events, such as Nakashima underperforming significantly. Due to these dynamics, I recommend betting on Nakashima to win in straight sets at odds of 2.63 on Bet365.
Next up, the match between Alexandre Muller and Tomas Martin Etcheverry, scheduled for 14:30, promises to be competitive as well. Their latest encounter at the Rio de Janeiro tournament ended with Muller prevailing in a closely contested match featuring a tiebreak. However, Muller is currently on a downtrend with a 3-7 record in his last ten matches, while Etcheverry has fared better at 6-4 during the same stretch.
With Etcheverry favored across most betting platforms, the odds show a mild advantage. Despite past predictions favoring Muller, I’m leaning towards Etcheverry — who seems to be riding a wave of confidence. If the Argentinian can maintain his composure and avoid inconsistencies, he stands a strong chance to advance in the tournament. Betting on Etcheverry to win at odds of 1.80 on Betway appears to be a wise move.
Lastly, the face-off between Stan Wawrinka and Lorenzo Musetti at 17:00 highlights a stark age difference, as Wawrinka turned pro in 2002, the same year Musetti was born. Musetti has been in fine form with a 7-3 record in his recent matches, while Wawrinka holds a 6-4 record. The odds heavily favor Musetti, and while both players have strengths on indoor surfaces, the younger player’s current form makes him a strong candidate for victory.
Considering Wawrinka’s underdog status and the potential for a decisive win, I recommend betting on Musetti to secure a 2-0 victory at odds of 1.65 on 1xBet. This strategy leverages the odds while capitalizing on Musetti’s favorable position.
This exciting week of tennis in Athens not only showcases thrilling matchups but also the potential for both established and rising stars to make their mark. As the competition intensifies, fans are in for a treat with these riveting contests.