ATP Queen's second round betting tips: Evans vs Nakashima, Rune vs McDonald, Lehecka vs Diallo

The opening round of the men’s singles at Queen’s was particularly eventful, as four of the eight seeds were eliminated.

Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and Frances Tiafoe were all dumped out of the bottom half, clearing the path for home hope Jack Draper, who won his first match with minimal fuss.

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Ben Shelton also fell at the first hurdle, failing to build on a promising time in Stuttgart last week. So what’s going on your online betting slip today then?

Daniel Evans vs Brandon Nakashima (Wednesday)

Three Brits are through to the second round, and it is perhaps a surprise that Dan Evans is one of them. 

He has now played six matches on grass this summer, and he caught Tiafoe cold on Monday as the American played for the first time on the surface this year after making the switch from clay.

Evans never allowed Tiafoe to get into his rhythm, showing excellent movement and variety with his strokes as he broke the seventh seed’s serve six times.

Brandon Nakashima is well adjusted to grass after playing in the BOSS Open. He has served well in recent outings and is rightly the favourite to progress.

FIRST’s top tip for Daniel Evans vs Brandon Nakashima

It is a rematch of the pair’s round one encounter at Queen’s last year, when Evans was forced to retire at one set all. 

It was an intriguing battle until then, with the Englishman taking the opener and Nakashima hitting back in the second set.

A similarly close affair could be on the cards on Wednesday in this fascinating clash of styles, with changing momentum in the match expected, which is perfect for tracking and strategising your in-play betting.

Pick: Over 23.5 games - 1/1 (BetMGM)

Holger Rune vs Mackenzie McDonald (Wednesday)

World number nine Holger Rune was impressive in his round one triumph over Christopher O’Connell, but there always seems to be a physical issue around the corner for the Dane.

After his French Open defeat to Lorenzo Musetti earlier this month, he was downbeat about his fitness, admitting that he could not train during the clay season.

Mackenzie McDonald will pose a proper test on grass following his straight sets win over Gael Monfils.

FIRST’s top tip for Holger Rune vs Mackenzie McDonald

Rune is the more talented player by some distance but McDonald’s price is attractive given the ongoing uncertainty around Rune’s physical struggles.

Incidentally, he retired while a set down in the pair’s latest head-to-head in Cincinnati.

Pick: Mackenzie McDonald to win - 2/1 (BetMGM)

Jiri Lehecka vs Gabriel Diallo (Thursday) 

Both Jiri Lehecka and Gabriel Diallo have held their serve at a rate of 95 per cent or greater on grass this summer.

Diallo played a tie-break in four of his five matches en route to victory in Hertogenbosch last week. Expect at least one on Thursday against a fellow big server.

FIRST’s top tip for Jiri Lehecka vs Gabriel Diallo

These two have never met in a singles match before and should be evenly matched on grass. Three sets is a possibility, but a couple of long ones could also see this bet land. 

Diallo had two 7-5, 7-6 successes in the Netherlands, standing firm on serve and finding the odd break in key moments.

Pick: Over 23.5 games - 3/4 (Luckster)

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Odds correct at the time of writing.