Milos Raonic Olympics odds and best bet vs. Dominik Koepfer: Pick the match to go the distance

Milos Raonic is back at the Olympics and is looking to make more history at the event.

The pregame narrative: Raonic is competing in his second Olympics and draws Germany's Dominik Koepfer in the first round. Both are seasoned veterans who should be able to lean on their experience at points of this match. I'm betting on this contest to go the distance.

Check out our Raonic Olympics odds and best bet vs. Koepfer on July 28.

Raonic Olympics odds vs. Koepfer

Olympic odds as of 12:51 p.m. on 07/27/2024.

Go to full Olympic men's tennis betting markets.

Best bet: Over 2.5 sets (+132)

Raonic is no stranger to going the distance at the Olympics.

In fact, that's kind of his thing. Raonic played in one of the longest matches in Olympic history back in 2012, losing 3–6, 6–3, 23–25, to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a marathon match.

That match set Olympic records for the most games played in a best-of-three sets match (66 games) and the most games played in a single set (48 games).

I doubt this contest against Koepfer makes that kind of history, but I do expect a three-set thriller.

Raonic's best asset is his serve even if it's not as dominant as it once was. He's still capable of beating competitors with it, which is something Koepfer will have to be mindful of.

Koepfer isn't much of a server but is solid yet unspectacular in the return game. He should be able to neutralize the serve at points of this match and keep it competitive.

Koepfer, 30, and Raonic, 33, have seen every trick in the book at this point in their careers. Neither player is prolific on clay courts, meaning the surface will negatively impact both in this match.

A three-set contest seems likely in a match where it's difficult to determine which competitor has the advantage.

Key stat: Koepfer is a brutal 4-8 on clay this year while Raonic hasn't played a clay-court match since 2020.