Analysis for Cilic-Cipolla (ATP Rome)

Head-to-head record 1:1

Italian qualifier Flavio Cipolla plays Croatian Marin Cilic again in the first round at Rome. As we said 2 weeks ago, Cilic is a great talent of current tennis world but is not a clay court specialist. Tall and powerfully built, he is noted for his strong serve and has achieved his best results in indoor tournaments played on carpet or hardcourt. He uses one-handed backhand and often plays from the baseline. He won his first title of 2009 and second career ATP title in the 2009 Chennai Open, defeating Indian Somdev Devvarman. He then reached the fourth round of the Australian Open after beating David Ferrer in straight sets, equalling his 2008 record. In the fourth round, he was defeated by Juan Martin del Potro in 4 sets. Cilic would later win the PBZ Zagreb Indoors defeating compatriot Mario Ancic in the final 6-3, 6-4. He helped his country whitewash Chilean opponents in the Davis Cup first round tie by winning the opening singles match and by joining forces with Mario Ancic to win the doubles rubber. He has had a solid season so far but he is now playing on clay which is the surface he doesn’t like. In Monte Carlo, he defeated Cipolla in the first round but he was then absolutely demolished in the second round by another Italian Fabio Fognini. His career record on dirt is 12-16 which is interesting for the player of his class. Flavio Cipolla is a clay court specialist. He is a defensive baseline counterpuncher. He typically likes to stay back towards the baseline during a rally and will usually approach the net only to catch a short reply or drop shot from his opponent. His strength is his return game. He wasn’t impressive at Rome but he now plays in front of the home crowd and we think he can be taken for a small stake again.