Analysis for F.Lopez-Monaco (Cincinnati)

Head-to-head record 1:0

In contrast to the first pick on today, we have a big favourite in the second recommended match between Feliciano Lopez of Spain and Juan Monaco of Argentina. Better current form, hard courts predispositions and results, qualifying warm-up - that all speaks in favour of Spaniard. We were really impressed by way Feliciano played in his qualifying matches. He defeated both Max Mirnyi and Teimuraz Gabashvili in straight sets without facing even a single break opportunity in both matches! His opponents won about 20% of receiving points in both cases and were really resistless every time Lopez was on serve. He is untypical Spaniard as he always made better results on faster surfaces and his biggest weapon was big serve, agressive style of play and grazing fire. He didn´t manage to avoid many drop-outs in his carrer so far but we still rank him as one of the best Spanish hard-courters nowadays. Monaco is, on the contrary, typical South-American claycourter with everything he needs to play on the slowest surface. Good movement and fitness are his biggest weapons. His play is not so agressive and often slows the game down by long dropshots which could be convenient to his opponent on this surface. He prefers clay and rarely plays on other surfaces. We think that Lopez is a big favourite within these conditions and odds above 1.6 could be taken here.