It’s been seven years since Horacio and Mikhail Youzhny last stared across each other on a tennis court. And later today, both professionals will meet again in a first round matchup at All England Club. Read on for more about this intriguing matchup. You can also check out our breakdown of John Isner vs Marcos Baghdatis.
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Horacio Zeballos vs. Mikhail Youzhny Preview
Where: All England Club – London
When: Wednesday, June 29, 2016, 6:30 AM ET
Line: Horacio Zeballos (+600) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (-1,000) – view all 2016 Wimbledon Men’s Singles lines
Betting on Horacio Zeballos (+600)
In his most recent singles foray, Zeballos received a 4-6, 3-6 beating at the hands of Jiri Vesely at the ATP AEGON Nottingham Open just last week. He was also blasted by Daniil Medvedev in a 6-3, 6-1 loss at the ATP & WTA Ricoh Open.
Sandwiched between those ignominious exits, however, was Zeballos’ victory at the Poprad Tatry Challenger tournament in Slovakia, where he defeated Gerald Melzer, 6-3, 6-4, in the finals so at least he has that to reminisce in case he needs a mental boost.
Arguably Zeballos’ last meaningful victory was a 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) third-round win over Fernando Verdasco at the ATP & WTA Miami Open back in April.
Betting on Mikhail Youzhny (-1,000)
As a -1,000 favorite, Youzhny must already be looking past his Argentinian first-round opponent. Youzhny is still fresh off a disappointing third round exit in the ATP AEGON Nottingham Open last week after being sent packing by Gilles Muller via a 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (4-7), 3-6 score.
In a previous tournament, Youzhny reached the quarterfinals of the ATP Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart but fell to Dominic Thiem, 6-3, 4-6, 5-7. Moreover, Youzhny was eliminated right in the first round of the French Open last month. Despite these recent struggles, however, Youzhny should remain the bettors’ confidence pick in today’s matchup with Zeballos, who is apparently a bad grass player. Zeballos is just 1-7 in career grass matches.
Moreover, Youzhny has beaten Zeballos before. That was in 2009 in Moscow, where he handed Zeballos a 6-1, 7-6 beating on a hardcourt.
Youzhny was booted out in the first round of last year’s Wimbledon, but has a quarterfinal and seven fourth round appearances dating back to 2001.
Writer’s Prediction
Youzhny (-1,000) wins in straight sets.
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