Analysis for Isner-Vagnozzi (ATP Poertschach)

Head-to-head record 0:0

American giant, John Isner will make his career debut on European clay today and we think it will not become a memorable moment for him. Isner is known for his booming serve which is attributed, at least in part, to his height. Commentators have also praised his composure during matches, as displayed during his five consecutive 3rd-set tiebreaker wins in Washington last year, which were marked by his ability to bring out huge serves when it mattered most. Additionally he is known to back up his huge serves with approaches to the net, though he does not strictly serve and volley. Isner has been compared to Croatian Ivo Karlovic. Both are said to possess the best serves in tennis. We have already mentioned his success in Washington last year but he came back down to earth after the US Open. He continued to play exclusively in North America, but his Challenger-level results weren´t impressive. He lost to a lower-ranked player for the first time as a pro at his very next tournament, and 6 of his 7 losses during this time were to lower-ranked players. He grew up on hard courts and lacks the match practice on clay. We think that the clay season will be a night mare experience for young American. He has tried to play on this surface in USA but his losses to the likes Carsten Ball state his poor clay court skills. His opponent will be Italian qualifier Simone Vagnozzi. He is a Challenger level player but he loves clay and his style of play shouldn´t suit to Isner. We expect the one-sided match here and Vagnozzi is a big favourite for us. Anything above 1.7 is worth taken.