Arnaud Clement v Marin Cilic
Tennis: United Arab Emirates, ATP Dubai, Singles 2010
Tuesday, 23rd February 2010 - Start 10:00 GMT

---

Preview

This is an interesting first round match here in Dubai and one with added appeal after Roger Federer, the number 1 seed here, withdrew with an illness. That has really opened up the top of the draw for Marin Cilic, a man many believe will have a real breakout year.

Arnaud Clement is the first round opponent for Cilic and is a man coming towards the end of his career. The former Australian Open finalist is now ranked down at number 67 in the World and has now lost 5 consecutive matches since making the Final of his opening tournament of the new season.

To make matters worse for Clement is the fact that none of the players that have beaten him so far this season are really on the same level as Marin Cilic at this moment in time. James Blake, Ivan Ljubicic, Michael Berrer and Andreas Seppi all have recorded wins over Clement in the last few weeks.

The hard courts have not been kind to Clement over the last couple of seasons and his record is 15-21 from the 2008 season to now. He has only played here twice previously and is 1-2 in Dubai.

Marin Cilic, on the other hand, has moved up to World Number 9 after his run to the Semi Final at the Australian Open has been backed up with tournament wins in Chennai and, more recently, Zagreb. The big serving Croatian has to be the form man on tour at this moment in time.

Cilic has already had wins over fellow top 10 players and looks a much stronger player than in previous seasons. It seems he is ready to make his move towards the top of the Mens game and he has the know how to play on all surfaces.

His biggest success has come on the hard courts and he is an impressive 51-21 from the 2008 season. He has won 3 of his 5 titles on the outdoor hard courts. Cilic reached the Quarter Final at this tournament last season after being knocked out in the 1st round in his only other appearance here.

Head to Head

These two players have met 3 times previously, and it is Clement who holds the 2-1 edge although he was beaten by Marin Cilic in straight sets in their last meeting.

Clement had not lost a set in their first 2 meetings but those meetings took place in 2007 and 2008. Cilic lost to Clement in the 4th round at Wimbledon in 2008 but has developed massively since that time.

Prediction

It is clear that I really think Marin Cilic will win this match so the odds can be thrown in to an accumulator.

I will also play Marin Cilic to cover the - 5 game handicap that has been set. This will mean that the Croatian is likely going to have to break Clement's serve 3 more times than he is broken himself to cover this spread.

If Cilic plays to his ability, his game should match up much the same way that James Blake beat Clement in Australia or the way that Juan Martin Del Potro plays against him.

I think Cilic will come through 6-3 6-3

The Pick :

Marin Cilic win 6-3, 6-3

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Marin Cilic WIN

HANDICAP BETTING :

Marin Cilic -5 games