Analysis for Karlovic-De Voest (ATP Indian Wells)

Head-to-head record 1:0

Big serving Croat Ivo Karlovic will face South African qualifier Rik De Voest. Karlovic is the tallest player on the circuit and is known as one of the best servers on the tour. Taking advantage of his height, he is heavily reliant on his serve. With a more acute angle from his racquet to the service line, his first serves have a higher chance of coming in, thereby rendering many of them unhittable, let alone returnable. With bad returns from his opponents, he normally just has to put the ball away for a winner without the need of a proper volley. We think he will not make his mark being a serve-only player and even when he already defeated many top players, he can easily loose to big underdogs as just a few points usually decide his matches. The conditions here in Indian Wells should be too slow for his rocket serve and we think that De Voest is able to keep the match close today. He advanced through the qualifiers and defeated Berrer in the first round. We are aware that he is not a world-beater but surely has a decent chance against Karlovic. We expect some tiebreakers to be played and with a bit of luck, he could surprise in this clash. Odds around 3.5 can be tried for the lowest possible stake.