With just a few days to go before the start of the Italian Open in Rome, the betting markets are now offering odds on who will emerge victorious between world No. 2 and Fabio Fognini, who is ranked outside the top 10 for the first time since 2010. The bookmakers’ odds give Vesely a slight advantage, with the tennis star currently available at 4/9, while Fognini is a 5/2 chance to win.
Favourite In Form
The 25-year-old Vesely is currently enjoying a hot streak which has seen him ascend to No. 2 in the ATP rankings. The Czech tennis star won his first title just last month, and has since notched up three more victories. Although he has yet to break into the top 10, he has shown class in his most recent outings, beating the likes of Fernando Verdasco and Thiemo de Bakker in straight sets. Vesely is hoping to build on his form and confidence ahead of the Italian Open, and has named the event as his major goal for the season. “I’m in good shape and looking forward to playing at the highest level possible,” said Vesely at the US Open. “Now I just need to keep working hard and stay focused. The hard courts in New York should suit me perfectly for the next step in my quest for the season-ending Masters 1000 crown.”
Fognini, who turns 31 in October, is coming off a mixed season which saw him fail to win a title, but also earn a memorable comeback win over Roger Federer in the Rome Masters. The nine-time Grand Slam champion, who is ranked at peak of his powers, has not played since the French Open due to injury concerns, and is determined to return to the top of his game ahead of the start of the new season. “I’m very happy to be back playing on the tour,” said Federer at the Australian Open, where Fognini made his comeback tournament. “I hope to be at my best at the start of the season and start winning titles again.”
Best Of The Rest
Beyond the top two, there are a host of other players to keep an eye on this weekend. Japanese star Naomi Osaka, who achieved fame recently for her stunning run to the US Open semifinals, will be looking to build on her form before the start of the new season. Reigning French Open champion Johanna Konta is also a threat to Vesely’s claim toNo. 2, and the Ukrainian-born former world No. 1 Anna Chakvetny can give him a real run for his money. The bookmakers are also offering odds on the women’s event this year, with current world No. 1 Serena Williams favored to claim her twelfth Roland Garros crown. Other big names hoping to cause an upset this year include Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova.
Past Performances
The 25-year-old Vesely is looking to move beyond his impressive 2019, and has won three of the four matches he has played so far this year, with his only defeat coming against Croatian Ivan Dodig in the second round of the Australian Open. The 27-year-old Fognini, ranked second in the world, has had an up-and-down season himself, winning two titles, including the French Open, and losing in the last eight of the other Grand Slams. However, the Italian has won his last three matches, with his victory over Jiri Vesely in the Australian Open his only defeat in that time. Fognini’s biggest title of the year came at the Masters in Rome, beating Kevin Anderson in the final. In the past, Fognini has often proven himself to be a master of closing competitions out successfully, and he will be looking to do so again this year.
The top two are currently level on five match wins this year, but Vesely has the upper hand in their head-to-head record. The Czech has the slight edge in 2013, 2015, and 2016, while Fognini is ahead in 2014, 2017, and 2018. As for 2019, Vesely has won the last two encounters, with a grand slam win over Fognini in the French Open final their most recent meeting. However, the Italian has also won the last two meetings, and the bookmakers expect them to continue their rivalry at the top of the table in the coming weeks.
Head-To-Head
The head-to-head record between Vesely and Fognini is certainly close, with the pair having met on 32 occasions, with Vesely holding an impressive 23 wins to Fognini’s 9. However, as the current standings show, Vesely has the upper hand in their head-to-head record. Since their first meeting in 2013, Vesely has won 16 matches to Fognini’s 9, and the bookmakers expect him to continue his dominance this year. “Ivan is playing very good tennis right now and I think he’ll do well in Rome,” said Fognini’s chief coach Julien Cattin. “But I don’t feel sorry for Fabio. He needs to start winning more matches if he wants to keep his spot at the top of the rankings.”
The most recent encounter between the two was in the last eight of the Australian Open, with Vesely prevailing in an extremely close three-set tussle. Although the two have split their victories this year, with the Italian winning all four of their meetings, they have proven that their rivalry is still very much alive. Fognini’s French Open victory, while perhaps a disappointment given the conditions, wasn’t enough to save him from elimination at the hands of Vesely in the semifinals. “I feel sorry for Fabio because he played very well. But you can’t feel sorry for yourself when you lose – you need to win,” said Vesely after the match, as quoted by Sky Sports. “I believe I played better than him. He’s a great player, but I’m better. I was very close to winning.”
It’s clear that Vesely and Fognini – or any other top players for that matter – are still very much alive in the matchup game. The rivalry between these two is sure to continue to provide entertaining tennis this year and beyond.