ATP Miami Masters Betting: Llodra's poor Sony Open record set to continue in battle of the Frenchmen

 

The opening matches in the 2013 Sony Open begin today in Key Biscayne, Florida and Sean Calvert has selected a first round tie that offers a bit of value...

 

The first round of the 2013 Sony Open begins today for the men and there are a number of first round matches that look worthy of an interest on Wednesday.

 

I quite like Roberto Bautista Agut to beat Grega Zemlja, but the Spaniard is a little short in the betting at around 1.57, so instead I'm going to put my faith in the somewhat erratic talents of Benoit Paire to defeat Michael Llodra.

 

The French pair clash at around 5pm UK time this evening on Court 1 and in these slow conditions I would fancy Paire to get past his compatriot on a part of the swing that Llodra dislikes.

 

Indoor hard is Llodra's surface and he has a predictably poor record here in Miami, with a 5-9 win/loss ratio since his first match here back in 2003.

 

The 32-year-old has lost in the first round here five times and in a move that surprised no one he withdrew from Indian Wells last week citing a hip problem after surprisingly beating Daniel Munoz-De la Nava in the opening round.

 

Paire and Llodra met recently on the latter's favoured indoor hard surface, but it was Paire who emerged the winner in the Montpellier semi finals as underdog.

 

That suggests to me that he should be a strong favourite today especially having played pretty well in Indian Wells last week, despite choking against Gilles Simon in the third round.

 

Prior to that match Paire did take down an admittedly rusty Philipp Kohlschreiber at Indian Wells and he should be the one who will put more effort in today on a surface that should suit him more than his opponent.

 

I'd have Paire at around 1.65, but as he's a 1.73 shot it's worth backing him today.

 

Recommended Bet

Back Paire to beat Llodra at 1.73

 

Bet HERE

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