ATP 250 Stockholm 1/8-Finals

Berrettini – Stricker: 16.10.2024 Time TBA
H2H: first meeting

Matteo Berrettini has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Shanghai, Matteo was stopped in the second round by Rune in three tight sets. Here in Stockholm, Berrettini defeated Darderi in straight sets. The Italian lost his serve only once, which was at the beginning of the first set. However, after that, Matteo stepped up his level, and easily turned the match around. Last year, around this time, Berrettini was injured, and skipped the indoor part of the season.

Dominic Stricker has lost three of his last five matches. Two weeks ago in Tiburon, Stricker retired mid-match against J.J. Wolf. However, yesterday, in his opening match against Kovacevic, Stricker looked fit on the court. Dominic ended up winning the match after spending over two hours on the court. It was a great serving performance from the Swiss, who ended the match with 16 aces. Stricker had fitness issues for the most part of the season, so he is playing with his protected ranking. Last year around this time, Stricker played in Antwerp, where he lost his opening match against Van de Zandschulp in three tight sets.

Best Bet to Make

According to the bookies, Matteo is the big favorite in this matchup. Stricker is a heavy server, so we believe that he will win some free points off of his serve. Dominic should be able to keep this match tight.

That being said, Stricker winning at least one set is a value bet.

Value bet/ the best odds: Dominic Stricker +1.5 sets @2.30 @bet365

Halys – Nagal: 16.10.2024 Time TBA
H2H: 0-1

Quentin Halys has won four of his last five matches. Last week in France, Halys played in the challenger tournament where he reached the final, losing against Pouille in straight sets. It was a great preparation tournament for him to get ready for the European indoor part of the season. Halys is still a top 100 player, but is on the verge of dropping out of it. So far this season, Quentin has spent most of the season playing at the challenger tour level.

Sumit Nagal has lost seven straight matches. Nagal is in terrible form, and is struggling on the faster courts such as this one. His last win was three months ago in Kitzbühel on clay. His last hard-court win was in March, in Miami. Nagal had his biggest results at the challenger tournaments on clay this season. Last year around this time, Sumit played in Basel, where he lost against Koepfer in three tight sets.

Best Bet to Make

According to the bookies, Halys is the big favorite in this matchup, and we agree with that. Halys had his biggest results in his career on the fast hard courts such as this one. We believe that he will dominate from the very start, and win here easily.

That being said, Halys winning in straight sets is a value bet.

Value bet/ the best odds: Quentin Halys winning 2-0 @1.67 @bet365

Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports