We're getting into the fourth day at Wimbledon, and after so much rain the play has been nonstop. That has created jam-packed cards for us to bet.
That said, we're firmly rolling after the last couple of days, and I'm excited about what we have in store on Thursday's slate.
I've picked out three matches I see solid value in below, explaining why I like them so much.
Kei Nishikori vs. Jordan Thompson
It was nice to see the hard-working Jordan Thompson finally win a match at Wimbledon on Wednesday after so many years of trying, but the story should end here when he runs into the buzzsaw that is Kei Nishikori.
I've admittedly never been as high on Nishikori as some, but his form at the moment is unquestionably higher than the Aussie. He had some very great wins on the clay, and carried over that form onto the grass. His opening-round win over the dangerous Alexi Popyrin was splendid, and he showcased some fantastic returning against the big server to breeze through in straight sets.
Thompson doesn't have a weapon that makes him very dangerous at this tournament, and in a battle of two base-liners he'll surely come out the loser against Nishikori, who has been to the quarters in London the last two times Wimbledon was held.
Not only was Thompson unable to handle a player in Casper Ruud, who was out of his element Wednesday on grass, he also comes in with bad form and is 0-2 over his career against the Japanese standout. I think the price here on Nishikori to just win in fewer than five sets is really good. He will likely win in straights, but this offers great flexibility.
Pick: Nishikori -1.5 Sets (-155) at DraftKings
Hubert Hurkacz vs. Marcos Giron
It's been a fall from grace for the talented Hurkacz ever since his Masters 1000 win in Miami this spring. He's gone on to win just twice in the eight matches he's played since then, and the victories he picked up were hardly inspiring.
One came in a close match against Thomas Fabbiano, who hasn't been good in years, and another came against Lorenzo Musetti in the young Italian's first ever match on clay.
Hurkacz should be good on grass in theory, with a great flat backhand and a powerful serve, but he's failed to produce on this surface and should be out-classed by Giron. The American hits a two-handed backhand that drifts deep to the baseline, and his putaway forehand can be a real weapon.
Giron loves the quick surfaces, and his form this spring and summer has been spectacular. He competes hard and should have an edge both mentally and physically over Hurkacz. Perhaps he can salvage something from this season, but I don't think it'll come in this match.
Pick: Giron +155 at PointsBet
Jérémy Chardy vs. Ilya Ivashka
I copped a big L on Wednesday by fading Chardy, but the issue wasn't necessarily that he was any different than I expected. Rather it was Karatsev's continued inability to get comfortable on the grass.
The fact is, Chardy failed to make any sort of impact in his return games and donated a ton of points to Karatsev in that match. In spite of this, the Russian failed to capitalize on his chances. Chardy's serve was fine, but just "fine" isn't going to cut it against Ilya Ivashka.
The Belarusian has been one of the stories of the season so far, going 20-12 and dominating on all surfaces. His huge serve makes him a force to be reckoned with on the faster ones, like grass, and he's proven he can go toe to toe with some of the best in the game with great showings against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer this year.
I just see an out-of-form Chardy who backed his way into a second-round appearance at Wimbledon, and a player that will be hit off the court by one of the 2021 fast risers.
Pick: Ivashka -130 at DraftKings
