Analysis for Simon-Ancic (ATP Rotterdam)

Head-to-head record 1:1

Simon and Ancic will battle for the third round spot in Rotterdam today. Mario Ancic fully recovered from mononucleosis playing several solid matches at the end of the last year. He has confirmed the solid form in 2009 as well with YTD record of 9-4. He plays an all-court game and is able to adapt his game to all surfaces, making him a difficult player to play regardless of the surface. Ancic also has a good serve and is capable of producing many aces in a match. On grass and faster surfaces he serves and volleys but on slower courts he is more than able to rally from the back of the court. He prefers to serve and volley rather than play baseline rallies as there are better players with a more aggressive baseline attitude that can push through Ancic. Even if he already lost to Simon this year at Aussie Open, it was a relatively tight match with the result that didn’t truly reflect the on-court performance. Well, it is no secret that Gilles Simon is not our favourite player and we are often betting against him. We must admit that Gilles Simon has improved immeasurably in 2008 but it looks he is currently not at his best, even when his YTD record is positive (4-2). Simon struggled during the Hopman Cup. He then improved at Australian Open but it is still not the player from the end of 2008. Ancic likes indoor surface and usually plays his best within these conditions. If he serve his best, it will be a very tight match and odds above 3 seem to be crazy in this light.