Analysis for J.Vacek-N.Lapentti (Nottingham)

Head-to-head record 0:0

Jan Vacek, an experienced hardcourter from Czech Republic will play Nicolas Lapentti in Nottingham´s first round. They have never played each other and we think that the surface will be deciding factor in their first clash. Jan Vacek is a giant player with very simple strategy - brutal serve, agressive style of play and finishing balls as fast as possible from both sides. His play is suited to grass but he has never been a worldbeater as his technique is far from being good. We saw him playing on clay and his movement and backcourt play are limited though. If this match was played on clay, Vacek´s chances would be really slim. But brilliant technique and baseline play aren´t as important as unbreakable serve within these conditions. His best career results were achieved on grass and fast hard courts and we should´t forget that he came through the qualifiers without losing a single set. He defeated in turn Chambers, Nielsen and Sa. Last mentioned player, Andre Sa, plays a very similar tennis to Nicolas Lapentti. We are aware the fact, that Lapentti is much better player with much better career record but as we said - the surface plays into Vacek´s hands this time. Lapentti has never achieved any success on grass excepted Wimbledon 2002 where he reached quarterfinals. But this was only singular solid performance on this surface, and futhermore, he was ranked as 27 at that time. These times were long ago and Nicolas Lapentti from that time is gone. We think that chances are 60:40 in the favour of Czech player and we back Vacek.

Final result: 7:6,6:3 - wager won