Game plan
Pablo Carreno Busta v Miomir Kecmanovic
Every number combines what Pablo Carreno Busta does well with what Miomir Kecmanovic allows, each measured against the tour average and shrunk toward it when the sample is thin. Flip perspective
Forecast
Each player's serve and return strength is fitted against every opponent they were charted against, so a record built on weak opponents counts for less. At least one of them is no longer active or has too little charted in the last three seasons, so both are compared on their careers. The result is then nudged by Pablo Carreno Busta's record against Miomir Kecmanovic's tactical lookalikes and in their charted head-to-heads (lookalikes: +3.9 on serve, +1.9 on return vs expectation (460 points)). A game-by-game Markov chain turns point odds into match odds; the 90% range covers the uncertainty in the two strengths, not the nudges. Charted matches lean toward big events, so treat this as a scouting estimate, not a betting line.
Head to head, per 100 shots
| Career | Pablo | Miomir |
|---|---|---|
| Direction choice | −0.01 ±0.09 better than 54% | −0.06 ±0.09 better than 43% |
| Shot selection | −0.04 ±0.12 better than 48% | −0.28 ±0.10 better than 25% |
| Execution | +0.75 ±0.44 better than 90% | +1.00 ±0.38 better than 95% |
| Points left on the table | 2.31 ±0.13 lower than 82% | 2.31 ±0.15 lower than 84% |
Each player's career against an average tour player in the same position, adjusted for opponent strength, with a 90% margin (shots clustered by match). Points left on the table is the gap to the best-value direction for the same stroke, so lower is better. Percentiles are within each player's own tour. A side is highlighted only when the gap is larger than the margin on the difference.
Structural compatibility
Expected edge per 100 rally shots from style alone: Pablo Carreno Busta +2.05, Miomir Kecmanovic +2.41. Each player's shot mix weighted by their own skill with each shot and by how much the other gives up against it. This is why some rankings gaps don't hold in a given matchup.
Serve plan
The share of points the server wins when a first serve lands in that direction (hover a rate for its 90% interval; ± is the 90% margin). "Matchup" combines the server's rate with how this returner handles that serve. "Optimal" is the mix that wins most against this returner once they start reading a habit, at the response measured across the tour, and only within the range servers' habits actually vary. The gain over the current mix is how exploitable that mix is.
Pablo Carreno Busta serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Pablo wins | v Miomir | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 48% | 70% | 76% | 73.2%±3.9 | 49% |
| Body | 19% | 65% | 58% | 59.7%±7.7 | 6% ▼ |
| T | 32% | 68% | 80% | 74.0%±4.9 | 45% ▲ |
Optimal v Miomir Kecmanovic: +0.9±0.8 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +3.1 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Pablo wins | v Miomir | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 48% | 71% | 73% | 71.2%±4.6 | 61% ▲ |
| Body | 14% | 66% | 58% | 60.9%±8.5 | 0% ▼ |
| T | 38% | 66% | 73% | 66.8%±5.0 | 39% |
Optimal v Miomir Kecmanovic: +0.1±0.8 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix, inside the 90% margin. Serving wide every time would read +3.1 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Miomir Kecmanovic serving
Deuce court
| 1st serve | Now | Miomir wins | v Pablo | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 41% | 68% | 77% | 71.9%±4.4 | 42% |
| Body | 16% | 61% | 62% | 59.5%±9.3 | 2% ▼ |
| T | 43% | 73% | 78% | 77.0%±4.3 | 56% ▲ |
Optimal v Pablo Carreno Busta: +1.3±0.8 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving T every time would read +4.8 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Ad court
| 1st serve | Now | Miomir wins | v Pablo | Matchup | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | 45% | 71% | 75% | 74.0%±4.4 | 58% ▲ |
| Body | 14% | 65% | 62% | 64.6%±8.9 | 1% ▼ |
| T | 41% | 68% | 74% | 70.8%±4.9 | 41% |
Optimal v Pablo Carreno Busta: +0.9±0.8 per 100 first serves (faults included) over the current mix. Serving wide every time would read +2.6 per 100 first serves in before the returner adjusts.
Return plan
Value of each return, in points per 100 returns against an average return of the same serve (direction, court, surface): the tour's result with that return, the returner's own edge with it, and what this server gives up when it comes back to that side. Returns with no charted direction are left out, so values compare with each other rather than with zero. Depth isn't a choice here: missed returns have no depth. Serve quality isn't charted, so a block through the middle partly reflects the serve that forced it.
Pablo Carreno Busta returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Miomir | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 40% | +4.3 | +1.3 | +1.1 | +6.6±2.0 |
| FH slice through the middle | 20% | −4.2 | −0.3 | +0.5 | −4.0±2.2 |
| FH crosscourt | 18% | +5.5 | +0.9 | +4.0 | +10.4±3.9 |
| FH down the line | 11% | +1.7 | +2.0 | +1.8 | +5.5±4.1 |
| FH slice down the line | 5% | −4.3 | +0.8 | +1.0 | −2.5±3.2 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +6.3±3.4 per 100 returns v the current mix (638 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Miomir | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH through the middle | 40% | +6.4 | +1.6 | +2.4 | +10.5±1.9 |
| BH crosscourt | 25% | +8.8 | −0.1 | +1.4 | +10.1±2.8 |
| BH slice through the middle | 18% | −4.2 | −1.1 | +0.9 | −4.5±2.3 |
| BH down the line | 8% | +4.2 | +3.0 | −0.5 | +6.7±4.6 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 6% | +0.5 | −2.3 | −0.8 | −2.5±3.0 |
Lean BH through the middle: +4.4±1.5 per 100 returns v the current mix (665 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Miomir | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 51% | −3.5 | +0.7 | −0.1 | −2.8±2.4 |
| FH crosscourt | 29% | −0.2 | −1.4 | +3.3 | +1.7±4.2 |
| FH down the line | 19% | −1.8 | −0.1 | +3.7 | +1.8±4.5 |
Lean FH down the line: +2.4±4.1 per 100 returns v the current mix (195 returns charted, inside the 90% margin)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Miomir | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH crosscourt | 40% | +1.0 | −1.7 | +0.4 | −0.3±2.5 |
| BH through the middle | 36% | −2.9 | +0.2 | +0.3 | −2.4±1.9 |
| BH down the line | 12% | −0.2 | +3.3 | +0.1 | +3.2±4.8 |
| FH through the middle | 7% | −2.9 | −1.3 | −0.1 | −4.3±2.1 |
| FH inside-out | 3% | +1.0 | −0.5 | +3.7 | +4.2±3.3 |
Lean BH down the line: +4.1±4.4 per 100 returns v the current mix (495 returns charted, inside the 90% margin)
Miomir Kecmanovic returning
1st serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Pablo | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 51% | +4.3 | +2.7 | +1.7 | +8.6±1.8 |
| FH crosscourt | 21% | +5.5 | +0.3 | −1.9 | +3.9±3.7 |
| FH down the line | 13% | +1.7 | +4.3 | +0.4 | +6.4±4.0 |
| FH slice through the middle | 10% | −4.2 | −0.1 | −0.3 | −4.6±2.3 |
| FH slice down the line | 3% | −4.3 | −0.3 | +0.5 | −4.1±3.0 |
Lean FH through the middle: +3.2±1.3 per 100 returns v the current mix (845 returns charted)
1st serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Pablo | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH crosscourt | 37% | +8.8 | +3.2 | +1.6 | +13.7±2.7 |
| BH through the middle | 35% | +6.4 | +1.6 | −0.3 | +7.7±1.9 |
| BH slice through the middle | 13% | −4.2 | −0.2 | +1.4 | −3.0±2.3 |
| BH slice crosscourt | 9% | +0.5 | +0.5 | ±0.0 | +1.0±3.0 |
| BH down the line | 5% | +4.2 | +0.7 | +2.4 | +7.3±4.4 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +6.1±1.9 per 100 returns v the current mix (721 returns charted)
2nd serve to the forehand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Pablo | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FH through the middle | 56% | −3.5 | +0.6 | +0.7 | −2.2±2.6 |
| FH crosscourt | 28% | −0.2 | +2.8 | +3.3 | +5.9±4.3 |
| FH down the line | 16% | −1.8 | +1.1 | −0.1 | −0.7±4.6 |
Lean FH crosscourt: +5.6±3.5 per 100 returns v the current mix (172 returns charted)
2nd serve to the backhand
| Return | Now | Tour | Own | v Pablo | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH crosscourt | 46% | +1.0 | +2.0 | +1.3 | +4.3±2.5 |
| BH through the middle | 42% | −2.9 | +1.8 | +0.6 | −0.5±1.9 |
| BH down the line | 6% | −0.2 | +0.5 | −1.4 | −1.2±4.9 |
| FH through the middle | 3% | −2.9 | +0.9 | +0.7 | −1.3±2.1 |
| FH inside-in | 2% | +0.6 | +2.6 | +3.3 | +6.5±3.8 |
Lean BH crosscourt: +2.7±1.6 per 100 returns v the current mix (550 returns charted)
Rally plan
Edge, in points per 100 shots: the hitter's skill with the shot (own) plus how much the receiver usually gives up against it (theirs), both measured against the tour average.
Pablo Carreno Busta
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH to their forehand · rally | +5.0±1.5 | +0.9 | +4.1 |
| BH to their forehand · rally | +4.7±2.6 | +1.6 | +3.0 |
| FH to their backhand · serve +1 | +4.3±2.1 | +0.6 | +3.7 |
| FH to their forehand · return | +4.3±3.4 | +0.3 | +4.0 |
| FH to their forehand · serve +1 | +4.2±2.4 | +0.9 | +3.3 |
| FH to their backhand · return | +3.1±3.1 | ±0.0 | +3.0 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH to their forehand · return +1 | −1.2±3.0 | −0.1 | −1.1 |
| BH slice to the middle · rally | −0.8±2.0 | −0.3 | −0.4 |
| FH to their backhand · rally | −0.2±1.6 | −0.7 | +0.4 |
| BH to their forehand · serve +1 | +0.1±4.2 | −0.1 | +0.2 |
| BH to their forehand · return | +0.4±3.8 | +1.0 | −0.7 |
Miomir Kecmanovic
Favour
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| BH to their forehand · return +1 | +7.6±4.5 | +3.5 | +4.1 |
| BH to their forehand · rally | +5.8±2.7 | +3.2 | +2.6 |
| FH to their backhand · return | +5.1±3.3 | +4.5 | +0.6 |
| FH to the middle · return | +4.7±1.5 | +2.5 | +2.2 |
| BH to their backhand · return | +4.5±1.9 | +2.6 | +1.9 |
| FH to their forehand · rally | +4.5±1.5 | +2.8 | +1.7 |
Avoid
| Shot | Edge | Own | Theirs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FH volley to their forehand · rally | −3.9±5.8 | −5.4 | +1.5 |
| BH slice to the middle · rally | −1.6±2.0 | −0.7 | −1.0 |
| BH slice to their backhand · rally | −0.9±1.8 | −0.2 | −0.7 |
| BH slice to their backhand · return +1 | −0.7±2.5 | ±0.0 | −0.8 |
| FH to their backhand · return +1 | −0.5±3.2 | −0.3 | −0.2 |
Against Miomir Kecmanovic-like opponents
| Pablo Carreno Busta v | Matches | Serve pts won | Return pts won |
|---|---|---|---|
| All charted opponents | – | 62.2% | 34.8% |
| Players most similar to Miomir Kecmanovic | 3 | 62.0% | 34.1% |
Similar by tactical fingerprint: Alex De Minaur, Gael Monfils, Botic Van De Zandschulp, Novak Djokovic, Marcos Giron, Taylor Fritz, Nuno Borges, Arthur Cazaux, Emil Ruusuvuori, Ilya Ivashka. When two players have rarely met, their records against these lookalikes fill the gap.