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Boxing Monday Tennis Best Bet: ATP Umag, Marin Cilic vs Flavio Cobolli
Marin Cilic vs Flavio Cobolli Best Bet: Monday, July 24th
Well, glad to have gotten something out of that wonderful run from Alex Michelsen in Newport! The young gun backed up his Challenger Tour title with a run to the final at the main tour level, losing to Adrian Mannarino in the final. Really cool stuff to see from a strong American prospect.
For Monday, we’re into a new week, which means a slew of new tournaments to break down and find value in the betting markets. Let’s head to the event in Umag, Croatia and look at the matchup featuring Marin Cilic and Flavio Cobolli.
In this article:
Marin Cilic vs Flavio Cobolli Preview
Mon, July 24th, 20:00 (UK Time)
Another week, another former top player returning from a prolonged absence. First, it was Milos Raonic after years away from the game just before Wimbledon. Then it was Kevin Anderson coming out of retirement last week in Newport. This week, it’s Cilic, who has played just one match in 2023, beating Roberto Carballes Baena on a quick Pune hard court, before withdrawing from the event and spending the last six months sidelined with a knee issue.
The first two managed to win their first match back. Can Cilic replicate that success? I’m not so sure.
For starters, he’s doing so on what isn’t exactly the surface best suited for his serve reliant and power oriented game. Then there’s the fact that he was never the best mover around, and returning from a knee issue is nothing to be trifled with. Finally, his opponent – the young Cobolli – can ball on clay courts and should give him a run for his money.
The veteran from Croatia does have a title at this very event, though that came in 2012 and outside of that run, he’s just 7-5 in Umag.
Cobolli has a strong forehand of his own, better movement and has already racked up 45 matches between the main tour and Challenger Tour this season.
The fact he’s also gotten accustomed to the courts at the venue is a plus as well. The 21-year-old qualified in fairly convincing fashion, beating both Luca Nardi and Zdenek Kolar in straight sets, with some dominant scorelines sprinkled in. He should give the veteran everything he can handle in his return.
Marin Cilic vs Flavio Cobolli Best Bet
I don’t think I’ll be looking to play a max stakes bet again against a player just returning from injury. I am, however, comfortable betting against Cilic in this spot.
Returning from injury or retirement does still impact a player’s level to a certain extent. Then there’s the fact that clay isn’t exactly Cilic’s preferred surface, while it is for Cobolli, who has the talent as well as the game to beat a Cilic who hasn’t played since January.
I have him as a favourite here, so will back him in a spot that has it as a dead heat.
- Selection: Cobolli to win
- Best Odds: 1.91 (Bet365)
- Stakes: 3/10
Odds as at 2:30 am UK Time on July 24th, 2023. Odds may now differ.
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