ATP Stuttgart Round of 16·Center Court: Roger Federer vs Tommy Haas

Fans of Tennis will be able to watch a battle between two very good friends today, as Roger Federer is back in action on the ATP against his buddy Tommy Haas. Federer is coming off a long break after starting the season with huge victories in the Australian Open, Indian Wells and then in Miami. He took a break over the clay season, where his longtime opponent Rafael Nadal took top grades, but has returned for a full schedule in hopes of getting a win in Stuttgart, followed by Halle and then a push for his eighth title at Wimbledon. To start this campaign though, he will need to get passed Tommy Haas. 

Haas beat Pierre Hugues Hubert in the first round with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. The 39-year old is one of the oldest players on the tour, but he has proven that he can still play with the younger guys. Not that Federer is much younger at 35-years old and playing some of the best tennis of his life. 

Federer and Haas have met in the past and their record goes in favor of the Swiss legend, 13-3, but it has been over three years since they last met. Haas has beaten Federer on grass before, in Halle in the final for his second-ever grass championship. 

Haal had this to say, "We have known each other for a very long time. We started to get closer around the time when my fiancée and his wife became friendlier. Then we had kids and started to hang out much more. We used to have the same agent, Tony Godsick, who is a very close friend of mine, so it was always an easy connection. Roger is a first-class guy. I have great times with him and I am happy to call him my friend.”

ATP Stuttgart Betting

Federer is the favorite to win today after taking a couple months off. bet365 Sports has him posted at 1.083, while Haas is a steep 8.00 to get the win. The match will be streamed live at bet365 Sports for bettors to try their luck with live in play bets.