ATP - Radek Stepanek v Feliciano Lopez

ATP Toronto - Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs Feliciano Lopez (ESP)

This is another match which on paper may look to be hard to call, but it isn't that hard actually. First of all Stepanek is 7-0 against Lopez, which only proves how the Czech player is a terrible matchup for Feliciano. Even though the last match between these two players was more than two years ago, if one of these players have actually improved since then, that player is Stepanek. He is well inside the Top 20 and he has become one of the most consistent and reliable players in the circuit. He can play extremely well on all surfaces, thanks to his great serve and a very good baseline game. Stepanek has a semi final to defend in here from his last season's great run in Montreal and he should be even more comfortable in Toronto, whose surface is a little bit faster.

Feliciano Lopez is in opposition with Stepanek, one of the most inconsistent and unreliable players in the circuit. Just like Stepanek, he hasn't played since Wimbledon, but unlike Stepanek, he can't play at his normal level, after two or three weeks without playing. He is another played who needs rhythm to serve well and when he can't serve well, he gets frustrated and can lose to anybody in the circuit, let alone against one of the best players in the circuit. He also has a terrible record in the Canadian Open, as after having reached quarter finals in Montreal in 2003, he is 1-4 on this tournament, including a loss to Pierre-Ludovic Duclos, who was the number 495 of the world back then.

Matchup wise, Lopez won't be capable of bother Stepanek's great serve, while Lopez will need to put a load of first serves in (well above 60%) to be capable of making this match close, as Stepanek is a good returner and he will consistently attack all Lopez's second serves. Lopez is a mentally weak player and obviously he will feel pressured, knowing that he will face a player who has consistently defeated him during his whole career, making his first serve completely disappear when he will need it the most. Lopez can't cope with pressure and Stepanek is the kind of player who can make his opponents lose their concentration really fast with his antics. Take Stepanek minus the games in here.

Play 3 units on Radek Stepanek (-3 Games) @1.862 on Pinnacle

Pick : Stepanek (-3 Games)
Odds : 1.86
Stake : 6 / 10
Bookmaker : Pinnacle
Match Result : 1-2
Tipster Personal Link/Sponsor: http://www.andregomes.com

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