Federer Heavy Favorite at Istanbul Open | IXGAMES
The ATP makes its first-ever trip to Turkey this week for the inaugural Istanbul Open, so even though this is part of the ATP 250 Series, Roger Federer is on hand to bring some star power to the proceedings. As we go to press, Federer is a heavy 1/2 favorite against a relatively light field; Grigor Dimitrov is the second favorite at 3/1, followed by Pablo Cuevas at 12/1. Federer remains the World’s No. 2-ranked player despite losing to Gael Monfils (+380) in the Round of 16 at Monte Carlo. This was Federer’s first clay-court tournament of the year, so he could still be vulnerable in Istanbul as he continues to make the transition from hard courts en route to the French Open. Dimitrov might not be the right man to take advantage. Known as “Baby Fed” for having a similar style to Federer’s, the World’s No. 11 player also prefers the hard courts; Dimitrov is 0-3 lifetime against Federer, all on that surface. A clay-court specialist like No. 23-ranked Cuevas carries more betting value in this situation – he was a French Open doubles champion alongside Luis Horna in 2008. Cuevas and Federer have never met in singles competition.