ATP ROGERS CUP BETTING FEDERER VS. LLODRA
Roger Federer is set to take on Michael Llodra for the first time in his career when they collide in the Rogers Cup third round. Popular bookmaker Paddy Power has unveiled a veritable feast of markets on this matchup.
It should come as no surprise that Federer is the runaway favourite to win outright, listed at a staggering 1/8 to win outright while Llodra is a far-flung underdog at 9/2.
Federer takes a 33-9 mark into the third round, which includes one title. At a glance, it is obvious Federer is not up to the lofty standards that he set during his incredible reign sitting lotus atop the game.
Still, the title he won was the Australian Open and if there were a title to win, you would want to win a major like that. It isn’t all doom and gloom.
Overall, his win-loss ratio on the season yields a 0.780 ATP best winning percentage. It is a solid percentage and a score that should give his backers confidence, even during these so-called troubled times for the deposed King.
Anyway, returning to his lofty standards is probably never going to happen. Does that mean we are to doubt him at every turn?
Doubt is infused into almost every match he goes into now and that is the sad reality. So it is with his upcoming clash against Llodra.
Federer has never played against Llodra so there is the disadvantage of not knowing an opponent in a match situation. There is also the disadvantage that comes with rust. Federer is appearing in his first tournament since falling in the Wimbledon quarterfinals to Berdych.
Would these two factors conspire against Federer? To put a finer point on it, can Llodra capitalize on both factors.
Llodra is a journeyman player through and through. In fact, the 30-year-old veteran hasn’t met with any measureable success over his career until recently, when he won his maiden title in Marseille and a second title in Eastbourne.
I am sure he would like to score a big win in his career, at least one before the game leaves him behind but I can’t help thinking this is a tall order for a player that has never come even close to masterminding something as big as such an upset would be.