[Tennis- ATP Challenger Sydney] 31.10/ 04:00 R.Hijkata- Y.Shimizu

[Radu]

[Tennis- ATP Challenger Sydney] 1.11/ 01:00 R.Hijkata- Y.Shimizu

I know there is a lot more variability at the Challenger level, but I am prepared to ride the hot form of Hijikata to cover the game spread at -4.5 against Shimizu.

Hijikata is having a great year jumping over 200 ranking places, largely on the back of 46 wins on hard court. He made his grand slam debut at the US Open as a wildcard taking a set of Nadal, and last week won his first Challenger title playing at home in Australia. He dominated the competition including a handful of players ranked higher than Shimizu. If we were looking purely at the games spread, he won his 5 matches by 8, 7, 7, 10 & 10, which gives me confidence he can put the foot down and cover the spread here against weak opposition.

Shimizu has had an OK year maintaining his ranking around the 400s, but most of his success has come in ITF-level events in Asia. On the occasions he has played Challenger level tournaments or ATP level as a local wildcard he hasn't had much success While Hijikata is still a work in progress, I think he has the talent to maintain his form on home soil and surface and cover the spread.

1 (handicap - 1,5 sets) @1,90 Bet365

3:6 6:4 5:7