Analysis for Karlovic-Hernych (ATP Rome)

Head-to-head record 2:0

Big serving Croat Ivo Karlovic will be challenged by the Czech Jan Hernych in the first round. 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. It is not surprising that he hates clay as he needs as fast surface as possible for his killing game. His opponent will be Jan Hernych of Czech Republic. He is currently close to the top 50 in the World. Hernych hasn’t got impresive results so far this year but he was unlucky in terms of opponents. Here in qualifiers he lost just 6 games in 2 matches and his self-confidence must be sky high. Bearing in mind that Karlovic is generally considered to be a poor returner, there is a chance for Hernych to keep the match close. These odds are surely worth trying.