Struffy on fire!

The German disgusted Basavareddy by playing well, of course, but also because the match-up suited him. Is that enough to make his status as favorite legitimately deserved?

Indeed, just like with Tabilo, I really like it when Struffy strings together wins in a tournament. With him it’s kind of either I go deep or I lose in R1. And as soon as I see that he’s playing at the level he can sometimes reach, I back him. Will I do the same against VDZ? Well, there’s this whole match-up story. Basavareddy is a player I rate, but he really didn’t like Struffy’s style at all. Whereas VDZ is an outstanding counterpuncher when he’s on. The problem is, it’s hard to rely on him without having seen at least one of his matches, and even then! The two most recent matches between them were on clay and at altitude—conditions that suit Struffy much better. A lot will depend on VDZ’s form here because if he’s good, he has the profile to get a lot of balls back and repel the German’s assaults. If he’s in one of his unmotivated, choking moods, it could turn into double faults and put Struffy on rails. The Dutchman didn’t end the season the way he would’ve wanted. There were quite a few losses, lucky-loser qualifications, sprinkled with a good tournament here and there. The idea of seeing him immediately in top form seems unlikely because he’s someone who needs confidence in his abilities. And on the other hand, here he’ll have to do exactly what he knows how to do: counter Struffy intelligently. With the German in form, I logically see him as the favorite. With VDZ still getting up to speed, I don’t see him winning in two sets… Which leaves us with what?