PBZ Zagreb Quarterfinals: Cilic and Karlovic collide
by Nila Amerova
Zagreb, Croatia – The marquee quarterfinal billing at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors is the clash between home favourites Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic. The all-Croatin affair was set after both won their second round encounters against Daniel Koellerer and Alexandre Sidorenko, respectively.
Elsewhere, Slovak Lukas Lacko masterminded the biggest upset of the tournament when he ousted Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, the No.2 seed, in a three-set thriller. Next up for Lacko is Philipp Petzschner of Germany who emerged over compatriot Benjamin Becker.
Tennis Betting Line: Marin Cilic -550 Ivo Karlovic +325
First Set Line: Marin Cilic -350 Ivo Karlovic +225
Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern time Friday February 5, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Interestingly, Marin Cilic has never come up against his compatriot Ivo Karlovic at an ATP level event. That Cilic, 21, and Karlovic, 30, should clash for the very first time on home soil is in some ways appropriate and the ultimate challenge. For Cilic it will be an opportunity to underscore his position as the No.1 Croatian player (ranked No.10 in the world). For Karlovic it will be a chance to pit his game against his nation’s highest standard, and maybe show him up.
Cilic is the market favourite, which should come as no surprise. Listed at -550 to win outright, Cilic takes an impressive 12-1 mark into the quarters, highlighted by a title victory in Chennai and a semi-final finish in Melbourne. Cilic has really come of age in the first month of the season and many expect more great things from the uber talented Croatian. Karlovic takes a positive 7-2 mark into the quarters, which includes a quarterfinal appearance in Doha and a R16 appearance in Melbourne.
There is no doubt that Cilic should win this match and make good on his top ten pretensions. However, I cannot help feel that this is a match right up Karlovic’s alley. Karlovic has been somewhat slighted and underestimated over his career, dismissed as a serving wonder alone. There is nothing he would like better than to put paid on that notion, at least on home soil. Beating Cilic is definitely within his abilities and I don’t think he should be underestimated. He is worth the bet on the outright win, offered at +325, and definitely, to take the first set at +225. For tennis bettors looking to back Cilic for the outright win but wanting added value could also look to Karlovic to extend the match to three sets and therefore might like to take him on the first set as well.
Tennis Betting Line: Philipp Petzschner-120 Lukas Lacko -120
First Set Line: Philipp Petzschner-120 Lukas Lacko -120
Match Time: 09:30 AM Eastern time Friday February 5, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: This match is a complete tossup and the bookies indecision is extremely unhelpful. Both Petzschner and Lacko are tipped equally to win the match at -120 and they are offered with the very same odds each to win the first set. How tight is that. Pretty damn tight, if you ask me.
Lacko is after the more impressive win, outlasting Ljubicic in three sets 7-6(3), 5-7, 7-6(5). The win is all the more impressive because Lacko not only beat a former world No.3 player in Ljubicic but he also beat him before a crowd wholly behind their man.
Petzschner also survived a three-set marathon against compatriot Becker 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(6). The win was credible because he came back from a set down.
Petzschner has a little more experience than Lacko, which gives him a nominal edge. Lacko ranks slightly better than Petzschner.
Having said all of the above, the balance tips in favour of Lacko – at least for me. Lacko is coming off the biggest win of his life and he has a chance to make it count. Of course, there is pressure in that and Petzschner could capitalize on it. But I like Lacko’s game and I think he will make it count.
Tennis Free Picks: Lacko to win the first set at -120 and to take the match at -120
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