The Rothesay International in Eastbourne has officially reached the semi-finals. With Wimbledon just around the corner, players are getting in their final grass court practice.
This last pre-Grand Slam tournament has brought us some exceptional matchups. One of the most surprising lineups of the semifinals is Billy Harris going head-to-head with Max Purcell.
With these dark horses making their way through the tournament, there are plenty of exciting betting opportunities. We're here to help you to choose the perfect bets. Read on for our Harris vs Purcell predictions and betting tips.
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Player Form: Harris Seems Unstoppable
Harris has turned out to be the Trojan horse of the tournament. His exceptional performance and skill have outshined charismatic players like Flavio Cobolli. The 29-year-old is having a phenomenal season. He made his first ATP appearance of 2024 at the Queen's Club Championship and put on a spectacular show, making it all the way to the quarterfinals.
At the Rothesay International, Harris has kicked off his campaign with a bang. He took down Jacob Fearnley in the first round, then followed it up with a victory over Charles Broom in the second. His crowning achievement so far came in the quarter-finals, where he pulled off an emphatic win against Cobolli, securing his spot in the semis.
Purcell, on the other hand, has had a rough season. He struggled to make an impact on any court until Eastbourne. His clay season was short-lived with second-round and first-round exits in Houston and Roland-Garros respectively.
On grass, things weren't much better, with first-round defeats in both ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Halle. However, he seems to have turned things around at the Rothesay International, battling his way from the qualifiers to the semis.
How the Bookies View It: Purcell Ahead
Bookmaker Betfred is leaning towards Purcell to win this encounter, making him the favourite at 8/13. Harris on the other hand is standing at 5/4 to win. Set betting suggests a 2-0 win for Purcell, with this result paying 6/4.
Recent Head-to-Head: Nothing to See Here
The Eastbourne semifinal is going to be the first time Harris and Purcell play each other on the ATP Tour.
Anything Else Catch the Eye?
The 2024 grass season has been a game-changer for Harris.
From struggling to stay in the mainstream, Billy Harris has now secured his first-ever spot on the Wimbledon roster. He's been fighting through the Challengers all year, but his recent performances at the Queen's Club Championship and the Rothesay International have shown just how phenomenal his form is at the moment.
Harris has maintained a 2-1 win-loss season this season winning 78 percent of his first serves and saving 50 percent of the breakpoints.
On the other hand, Purcell has shown remarkable resilience in Eastbourne. He took down world No. 52 Laslo Djere in the Round of 32, clinched a win against Lorenzo Sonego in the Round of 16, and then defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in the quarterfinals to secure his spot in the semis.
His win-loss record this season might look a bit sad at 6-14, but don’t count him out just yet! He’s been saving 55 percent of breakpoints and winning 71 percent of his first serves.
Harris vs Purcell Betting Tips & Prediction
This semi-final match is a real showdown between the dark horses. Purcell has been in fantastic form throughout the tournament, but Harris is totally in the zone right now. It looks like that Wimbledon ticket has given his grass game a serious boost. We're putting our money on the Brit to come out on top in this matchup!
- Harris to win @ 5/4
- Harris to win 2-0 @ 11/4
Harris and Purcell will play on the Centre Court, not before 2pm local time.
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