[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January You watching it, Mayer attempted one of the worst lobs ever seen only for Starace to hit the smash high, loopy and wide. He then followed this by perhaps missing another volley at the net. :lol

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January As I don't have an account with Pinnacle, had to follow and match your price with the -1.5 handicap at Bet365 but that was covered. Semis look hard to pick for me. In other news, the standard of tennis between Starace and Mayer is horrible. Just hope the German can come through with the handicap but it's really poor to watch in al fairness.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

:ok

Again :clap

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

Horrible for me yesterday, glad to see others doing well though. Gone for 5 today, 2 of which are WTA (God help me) Juan Ignacio Chela vs Viktor Troicki- Troicki -3.5 handicap- 8/11 Bet365- (6/10) Really good win for Chela yesterday against Stepanek but doubt he can repeat this result over a Serb who is very much in form. Chela very much a clay courter who doesn't play alot on the hard courts, but when he does he isn't the kind of guy who will set the court alight for long periods. Troicki ended last season well, picking up victories over good players like Baghdatis, Tsonga and Llodra. Made it to the quarters last week in Doha before falling to Federer which given the way Roger's playing at the minute was always likely to happen. Will be his first match since then as he got a bye into the second round. Chela played a 3 setter and also played doubles so the Serb will be the fresher of the two. Guessing Chela is just getting some match practice before the US open before heading off to play on the clay. If Troicki plays how he did last week, I'd fancy him to beat Chela. Marion Bartoli vs Elena Vesnina- Bartoli -4.5 handicap- 8/11 Bet365- (5/10) Must be crazy for still taking some of the women on but Bartoli impressed me in her thrashing of Safina in the first round. Only dropped one game in the match and it wasn't even due to Safina playing badly or conceding double fault after double fault. Bartoli played some really good tennis when involved in the rallies. Even with the rain breaks, she was still flowing and playing tidy tennis throughout. Granted her serve wasn't as good as it could be, but her groundstrokes were extremely impressive. Vesnina also won easily in the previous round, but this will be a big step up for her. Although she only dropped 3 games, she was still broken twice and like her partner in crime Zvonareva, double faults can seep into her game and become very frequent. 2-2 is the H2H with Bartoli winning the last two, very comfortably on the hard court. Albert Montanes vs Santiago Giraldo- Giraldo -1.5 handicap- 4/5 Bet365- (5/10) Favouring the Colombian here for a few reasons. Firstly Montanes hasn't played at all this season thus far and to be honest he didn't end the season to well. His results on the hard surface weren't anything special either, can't really remember him beating anyone of great note. A bit like Chela really. spends alot of time on the clay and can't see Montanes really troubling Giraldo due to his lack of match practice and the surface. Giraldo has had a good week or so, beating Simon and Becker, and giving Anderson a good match. He had no trouble in beating Gimeno-Traver so he should be playing with some confidence and should do a job on Montanes later on. Adrian Mannarino vs Arnaud Clement- Clement +1.5 handicap- 8/11 Bet365- (5/10) Few people already spoke about this one and agree with what they've said. Mannarino very much a challenger player who got through against Monaco who beat himself in truth. Was going to take the veteran outright but decided to have a little caution just in case he loses a tight 3 setter which he sometimes can do. Had a shocker end to the season but he should in truth be a class above te young Frenchman. Bojana Jovanovski vs Flavia Pennetta- Penetta -4.5 handicap- 5/6 Bet365- (5/10) And if I was crazy to take one women's match, must be an absoulte idiot for taking a second lol. However, Pennetta did get past Zvonareva in straights and Jovanovski edged past Rezai who shall we say is an indifferent player at the best of times. Although Zvonareva had a ton of double faults, it's still no easy job to beat her at the minute. Pennetta is still trying to regain her full fitness after injury at the back end of last year and that win should give her a big confidence boost. Jovanovski is in a good patch of form in truth but Pennetta will be another step up for her and I can't see how the Italian won't take this one with general ease.

WIN WIN WIN LOSS LOSS Decent profit but not wonderful.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

what time are they expecting play to resume at Moorilla Hobart?? Heard its been pissing it down recently. Any ideas?? :\

God knows, been raining constantly for a while. Doubt it will be anytime soon which is frustrating.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January Sorry for the late post, had it all typed but stupidly clicked something and the page disasppeared so had to write it all up again :eyes

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January Taking a futher 3 tonight and following others on Troicki, whilst still have Bartoli with a handicap which is still to run. Florian Mayer vs Potito Starace- Mayer -3.5 handicap- 8/11 Bet365- (6/10) Took this a little earlier at this price which has got a little shorter since. The way Mayer is playing and serving at the minute, should see him take care of the Italian today. Mayer impressively beat Del Porto without having to save any break points on serve and winning almost 60% of the total points. Starace on the other hand has had a pretty favourable draw. Faced Benneteau inwhat was his first match of the season and then beat Kubot who isn't the best singles player about. He needed the 3 sets in both though so he may also have some fatigue creeping into his game. Starace is very much a decent clay courter and fancy the German to go through here. Providing it's a comfortable victory for Mayer which it should be, the handicap is a low one which should be covered. Jesse Huta Galung vs Peter Polansky- Polansky to win- Evens Bet365- (4/10) Not sure I quite understand why Polansky is a slight underdog here. Polansky's form can be a bit indifferent but he achieved some good results last year on the hard court beating the likes of Melzer and Monaco at the US open. Lost to Mannarino last week 6-4 6-4 but as he has proved this week, he's in a bit of form at the minute. Polansky easily won his first qualifier, only losing 2 games in total so he should be fresh for the match. Galung is a guy I don't really understand. Only played one tournament on the hard court last season, mostly playing on the clay yet he didn't enter the French Open, but instead he tried for Wimbledon where he lost in the first round. Galung in fairness has started this season in decent fashion but had to concede a walkover in the semis. May have been just an attempt to get some rest before the qualifiers but this still could be a worry for him. Due to his results on the hard last season, and the experience of the US open, think this may be crucial for the Canadian and give him a slight edge to get through this one. Stephanie Cohen Aloro vs Jamie Hampton- Hampton to win- 5/6 Bet365- (4/10) Again I feel Hampton is too high in this one. She is a good youngster who is said to have a bright future in the game. Last year she had a lot of practice on the hard courts, playing many challenger events, winning 3 of them and in total winning 32 whilst only losing 8 matches, showing she is more than capable of stepping up to the next level. Had a poor result in Auckland losing to Brit Heather Watson but that left her with more prep to get ready for the qualifiers. Her opponent last year didn't even have to go through the qualifiers for the Aussie Open last year but since falling in the first round then, she only played a total of 3 matches on the outside hard courts, losing 2 of those. For most of last season she played very mediocre players and even then had mixed success. Just not convinced about her and think that Hampton has a really good shot here. Aloro doesn't deserve to be on a par with Hampton and Hampton will be completely up for this to try and make a big break this season, starting here.

[Tennis - The Australian Open (17-30 January)]

Re: Tennis - The Australian Open (17-30 January) Tiny bit of advice from me, if taking some players on the outright, might want to wait until friday's draw so you can predict their path to the final. That's what I'm doing, but have a couple in mind so far but due to their seeds, could get a horrible draw.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January Agreed with all about Troicki, just taken that one, having a look at the others now. Jovanovski like IAG said shouldn't really be that high after her win against Pennetta yesterday.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January 2/4 for so far, with the Bartoli match postponed due to the rain. Tiny loss but Bartoli can turn that into the green.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

Not a bad day for everyone :D

:clap Top stuff mate.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January Horrible for me yesterday, glad to see others doing well though. Gone for 5 today, 2 of which are WTA (God help me) Juan Ignacio Chela vs Viktor Troicki- Troicki -3.5 handicap- 8/11 Bet365- (6/10) Really good win for Chela yesterday against Stepanek but doubt he can repeat this result over a Serb who is very much in form. Chela very much a clay courter who doesn't play alot on the hard courts, but when he does he isn't the kind of guy who will set the court alight for long periods. Troicki ended last season well, picking up victories over good players like Baghdatis, Tsonga and Llodra. Made it to the quarters last week in Doha before falling to Federer which given the way Roger's playing at the minute was always likely to happen. Will be his first match since then as he got a bye into the second round. Chela played a 3 setter and also played doubles so the Serb will be the fresher of the two. Guessing Chela is just getting some match practice before the US open before heading off to play on the clay. If Troicki plays how he did last week, I'd fancy him to beat Chela. Marion Bartoli vs Elena Vesnina- Bartoli -4.5 handicap- 8/11 Bet365- (5/10) Must be crazy for still taking some of the women on but Bartoli impressed me in her thrashing of Safina in the first round. Only dropped one game in the match and it wasn't even due to Safina playing badly or conceding double fault after double fault. Bartoli played some really good tennis when involved in the rallies. Even with the rain breaks, she was still flowing and playing tidy tennis throughout. Granted her serve wasn't as good as it could be, but her groundstrokes were extremely impressive. Vesnina also won easily in the previous round, but this will be a big step up for her. Although she only dropped 3 games, she was still broken twice and like her partner in crime Zvonareva, double faults can seep into her game and become very frequent. 2-2 is the H2H with Bartoli winning the last two, very comfortably on the hard court. Albert Montanes vs Santiago Giraldo- Giraldo -1.5 handicap- 4/5 Bet365- (5/10) Favouring the Colombian here for a few reasons. Firstly Montanes hasn't played at all this season thus far and to be honest he didn't end the season to well. His results on the hard surface weren't anything special either, can't really remember him beating anyone of great note. A bit like Chela really. spends alot of time on the clay and can't see Montanes really troubling Giraldo due to his lack of match practice and the surface. Giraldo has had a good week or so, beating Simon and Becker, and giving Anderson a good match. He had no trouble in beating Gimeno-Traver so he should be playing with some confidence and should do a job on Montanes later on. Adrian Mannarino vs Arnaud Clement- Clement +1.5 handicap- 8/11 Bet365- (5/10) Few people already spoke about this one and agree with what they've said. Mannarino very much a challenger player who got through against Monaco who beat himself in truth. Was going to take the veteran outright but decided to have a little caution just in case he loses a tight 3 setter which he sometimes can do. Had a shocker end to the season but he should in truth be a class above te young Frenchman. Bojana Jovanovski vs Flavia Pennetta- Penetta -4.5 handicap- 5/6 Bet365- (5/10) And if I was crazy to take one women's match, must be an absoulte idiot for taking a second lol. However, Pennetta did get past Zvonareva in straights and Jovanovski edged past Rezai who shall we say is an indifferent player at the best of times. Although Zvonareva had a ton of double faults, it's still no easy job to beat her at the minute. Pennetta is still trying to regain her full fitness after injury at the back end of last year and that win should give her a big confidence boost. Jovanovski is in a good patch of form in truth but Pennetta will be another step up for her and I can't see how the Italian won't take this one with general ease.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

Slow down guys' date=' WTA is cool! :rollin[/quote'] That comment wouldn't have anything to do with Jovanovski winning at a good price would it lol?

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

The main thing I learned from betting on the WTA is the fact that 1.40 favorite in women's tennis is nowhere near 1.40 favorite in men's tennis. If your Simon/Bellucci double had an WTA equivalent' date=' you would be crazy to put money on it.[/quote'] Although I wouldn't back a favourite at less than 1.50 anyway, you'd be crazy to back a women at less than 1.6 in my opinion unless it's Serena at Wimbledon in the early rounds or the same for Clijsters, but obviously there would be barely any profit in that.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

I think there is money to made from WTA. I can't do it' date=' my base knowledge isn't good enough, but there are plenty that can. I don't know what the secret is to it though as you have to factor in the inconsistencies - women often go missing for huge periods of times in matches. I suppose it's about knowing your player. You get good days and bad days though, just got to move on and learn from it.[/quote'] Yeah agree with that but it's so frustrating when it looks like the match is going as you called it before, but say when Groth for example, attempts a drop shot at 30-15, serving for the match, it's completely bizarre. No way am I anywhere near their level, but even playing as an amateur, you know the do's and dont's in a match, just the basics. Get it with some of the guys as well but in the women's game, it's just a natural occurence for some reason.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

That sounds just like a typical WTA betting day to me. They can be so inconsistent :\

Was waiting for someone to say that lol. Knew what to expect with the women though. Errors, double faults and break points in every game. Not great for the heart that's for sure. Great shout on Haase though, glad to went with your instinct, paid off, that's for sure.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

Decent day yesterday, hoping for a full house tonight though. Taking 3 and was thinking of taking the overs in Peer's match, or possibly her to win, but that is probably just my biased nature towards her. ;) Na Li vs Virginie Razzano- Li -4.5 handicap- 8/13 Bet365- (6/10) Took the handicap yesterday on Li and she didn't fail by creaming Rodionova 6-1 6-2, without a break point to save and looking her solid self. Here she faces a women who is ranked outside the top 100 and wo in truth had a shocking 2010. To think Razzano was once ranked inside the top 20 back in 09, really shows her decline over the past 18 months. Although she's won her last 4 in Sydney, 3 of which were qualifiers, last week she lost to Vania King who is nowhere near Li's standard. As I mentioned yesterday in my write up, Li beat Venus Williams last week and will certianly not be lacking in confidence. Easily managed to clear a 5.5 handicap yesterday against a women with the crowd on her side, shouldn't have many problems in covering a 4.5 today. Flavia Pennetta vs Vera Zvonareva- Zvonareva -3.5 handicap- 4/5 Bet365(5/10) Interesting match this one but feel the handicap is way too low for Zvonareva providing she wants to win. Wins against Williams and a demolition of Wozniacki last week, following on from a U.S. open final and achieving the number 2 spot, really impressed with how she's developed her game. Only a few months back I remember her whining and beating herself up over stupid little things which cost her big time, but thankfully she's sorted these issues with herself out. An amazing 2010 for the Russian beating most of the top players at some point throughout the year, and beating Clijsters in Doha would have proved to herself that she can now beat anyone. Pennetta actually leads the H2H between these two 3-2, but concerns injury wise and quite a rotten end to the season, it seems to me that Zvonareva will beat her. She will have to be at her best to stand a chance in this one and feel she's still trying to get some match practice to get back to some of the form she's shown in the past couple of years. Doubt it will be a complete walkover but the Russian should take it by at least a break in each set. Tamira Paszek vs Jarmila Groth- Groth -3.5 handicap- 4/5 Bet365- (5/10) Was going to take the handicap for Groth yesterday but opted against it, won't be doing so today. Home nation favourite Groth, generally isn't great on hard court, only ever getting as far as the first round of the Aussie Open but last year there was an improvement in her form and results. Fourth round of both Wimbledon and at Rolland Garros, helped her up the rankings and well back into the top 100. Won a lot of challenger matches at the end of last season on hard court, as she tried to improve her game on the surface. Looks like it may have paid off as she beat Sam Stosur last week and easily beat Johanna Larsson yesterday, not getting broken in the entire match. She plays a qualifier from Austria who actually beat Groth in 3 erratic sets back in 07 where Paszek was impressing as a youngster, reaching the fourth round at 2 of the 4 grand slams. However since then she hasn't carried this encouraging form on. Only qualified for 2 grand slams last year and consistently lost her first round of qualifying for the WTA events. Won her qualifiers in Brisbane though, an beat an Aussie youngster in the first round. Don't think she'll be able to beat a classier Aussie in the shape of Groth, especially as she had 6 break points on her serve to a girl outside the top 200. Should be comfortable for Groth here, the handicap shouldn't be a problem.

LOSS LOSS LOSS Absolute shocker and so frustrating. Li was a break up on numerous occasions in the first set but couldn't hold serve and kill the game off in two sets. Groth at time brilliant, at some a nightmare and erratic. Served for the match at 30-15 to cover the handicap at tried a drop shot that was never on. Annoyed.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January For fcuk sake, Groth gets broken whilst serving for the match and handicap and now she turns into super women in the tie break. :wall

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January Hugely diasppointing day so far, with neither of the two handicaps coming in. Groth match has been delayed, so much for getting up early :eyes

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January Shouldn't we just 'back' rather than 'lay' as it might be misleading and confusing for new punters?

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Sports/australian-open-tennis-2010-mens-singles.php Scroll down and it has the sections :ok

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

Actually' date=' I was thinking about playing her either outright or on handicap too. Still thinking about it, but it may be worth a go if you want my opinion.[/quote'] Get 2/1 for her if you look about. Azarenka maybe a worry in her fitness, didn't play brilliantly yesterday but neither did Shahar. That's why I was opting to go for the overs but it may just be me kidding myself that Peer will win every match lol.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

Pick #124 Event: Alisa Kleybanova - Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez Date: 11 January 2011 Time: 02:00 GMT (CET +1) Place: Sydney, Australia Tournament: Medibank International Round: 2nd Round H2H: Alisa Kleybanova leads 1:0 (Clay) Alisa Kleybanova, strong and powerfull Russian player. Alisa is one of the youngest talent that tennis offers, she is right-handed player with a strong physical, one of the most important wta tennis service and two powerfull strokes as forehand and backhand. Kleybanova still has not achieved what her tennis could allow to her, she played some tournaments very good but some others bad enough, showing a lack of experience, sometimes also lack of brain like on a lot of match where she was leading very easily and then she lost the concentration losing incredible matches and that is what she has to work for and looking to her declaration what she is doing right now and since few months. Anyway a player of a great possible value and if in shape tough for everyone. Yesterday she had a great win against Top player Francesca Schiavone, that even not in her best period she is still tough to play because always very solid baseline player. Her preferite surface is hard outdoors, even she played well sometimes also on clay. Maria Martinez Sanchez is a Spanish player not so powerfull like Alisa, but with an all around game that not a lot of players have on wta tour. She doesn't have a strong ball that can makes a lot of winners, she doesn't serve as well so fast, but she is a solid player on baseline and she can find a lot of solution with her spin, serving as well very good and going to the net with a lot of class and efficiency. Her preferite surface is clay where she achieved the best results like the greatest one of last year winning the Rome Tir 1 defeating a lot of important players like Jelena Jankovic on the final, she can play of course and she did well also on hard, but her problem on this surface is that sometimes she is too slow and she cannot do long rallys taking the time and the rhythm to the other player and she suffers too much on this surface the players that have winners and which teorically can make the match and win it by themself. Maria Jose yesterday beated Hantuchova, that has physical problems like she already withdrawn from Brisbane a week ago and then that match doesn't matter a lot. We have analyzed as usual widely this match and the result is that for us Martinez doesn't like to play someone like Kleybanova that is aggressive and that doesn't let play, or she find the winner or she miss, the match then will depend exclusively on the Russian's performance and looking also to how good she played yesterday this could be another big motivation to with her as Alisa is a player that needs convidence to play her aggressive game and what's better to beat a top like Schiavone? We expekted a wide line, such as at least 1.60 for Alisa Kleybanova and then looking to the odds our money are for sure on her. Pick: Alisa Kleybanova (to bt. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez) Odds: 1.81 Book: Pinnaclesports Investment: 10u Best regards, TennisLiveTour.com

:welcome, great write up, more words there than in my uni essay, and I do English :lol

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January Decent day yesterday, hoping for a full house tonight though. Taking 3 and was thinking of taking the overs in Peer's match, or possibly her to win, but that is probably just my biased nature towards her. ;) Na Li vs Virginie Razzano- Li -4.5 handicap- 8/13 Bet365- (6/10) Took the handicap yesterday on Li and she didn't fail by creaming Rodionova 6-1 6-2, without a break point to save and looking her solid self. Here she faces a women who is ranked outside the top 100 and wo in truth had a shocking 2010. To think Razzano was once ranked inside the top 20 back in 09, really shows her decline over the past 18 months. Although she's won her last 4 in Sydney, 3 of which were qualifiers, last week she lost to Vania King who is nowhere near Li's standard. As I mentioned yesterday in my write up, Li beat Venus Williams last week and will certianly not be lacking in confidence. Easily managed to clear a 5.5 handicap yesterday against a women with the crowd on her side, shouldn't have many problems in covering a 4.5 today. Flavia Pennetta vs Vera Zvonareva- Zvonareva -3.5 handicap- 4/5 Bet365(5/10) Interesting match this one but feel the handicap is way too low for Zvonareva providing she wants to win. Wins against Williams and a demolition of Wozniacki last week, following on from a U.S. open final and achieving the number 2 spot, really impressed with how she's developed her game. Only a few months back I remember her whining and beating herself up over stupid little things which cost her big time, but thankfully she's sorted these issues with herself out. An amazing 2010 for the Russian beating most of the top players at some point throughout the year, and beating Clijsters in Doha would have proved to herself that she can now beat anyone. Pennetta actually leads the H2H between these two 3-2, but concerns injury wise and quite a rotten end to the season, it seems to me that Zvonareva will beat her. She will have to be at her best to stand a chance in this one and feel she's still trying to get some match practice to get back to some of the form she's shown in the past couple of years. Doubt it will be a complete walkover but the Russian should take it by at least a break in each set. Tamira Paszek vs Jarmila Groth- Groth -3.5 handicap- 4/5 Bet365- (5/10) Was going to take the handicap for Groth yesterday but opted against it, won't be doing so today. Home nation favourite Groth, generally isn't great on hard court, only ever getting as far as the first round of the Aussie Open but last year there was an improvement in her form and results. Fourth round of both Wimbledon and at Rolland Garros, helped her up the rankings and well back into the top 100. Won a lot of challenger matches at the end of last season on hard court, as she tried to improve her game on the surface. Looks like it may have paid off as she beat Sam Stosur last week and easily beat Johanna Larsson yesterday, not getting broken in the entire match. She plays a qualifier from Austria who actually beat Groth in 3 erratic sets back in 07 where Paszek was impressing as a youngster, reaching the fourth round at 2 of the 4 grand slams. However since then she hasn't carried this encouraging form on. Only qualified for 2 grand slams last year and consistently lost her first round of qualifying for the WTA events. Won her qualifiers in Brisbane though, an beat an Aussie youngster in the first round. Don't think she'll be able to beat a classier Aussie in the shape of Groth, especially as she had 6 break points on her serve to a girl outside the top 200. Should be comfortable for Groth here, the handicap shouldn't be a problem.

[Tennis - 9-16 January]

Re: Tennis - 9-16 January

Taking a few for the women tonight now I've seen the handicaps, not sure about the men's yet. Marion Bartoli vs Dinara Safina- Bartoli -2.5 handicap- 4/6 Bet365- (6/10) Fancy Bartoli to take this one without too much fuss. Safina has been struggling for a while in truth, but she's lost 4 on hard court, not sure if she's still struggling with her 'back injury' but she is really out of form. Saying that though, she was in this sort of form last year then she beat Kleybanova so you never know with Safina. Bartoli had a decent start to the season, beating Vania King, Benesova and also Zahlavova before losing to eventual finalist Petkovic. In her wins though, Marion was playing some decent stuff and all her wins were extremely routine wins The H2H between the two stands at 2-0 in Bartoli's favour, both meetings coming in 2007, also on hard where Bartoli covered the handicap in both games. Not sure how much you can read into these games but on current form and from last year, have to back Bartoli here against the mentally weak Safina. Maria Kirilenko vs Dominika Cibulkova- Kirilenko -3.5 handicap- Evens Bet365- (5/10) Was always looking to take a handicap on Maria here right from the moment I saw the draw. Quite a contrast in players here as we have someone who is usually quite composed and consistent in the shape of a lovely Kirilenko, and then we have a player who is very very erratic in the shape of an almost lovely providing she has her make up on Cibulkova. Maria ended the season well in her home nation before losing in the final to Azarenka. However, she won both of her matches in Hong Kong against Melanie Oudin and Rezai respectively. She didn't play great tennis but again she did what was needed. Cibulkova's form towards the end of last season was very indifferent indeed, with all types of performances. One set she would be playing well, then the next a complete transformation. She lost to Kvitova a few days ago but won her first two matches easily enough. The two of them met twice last year, with Kirilenko winning both, the meeting in Canada on hard she only lost 3 games. When Kirilenko wins a match, she will generally cover the handicap and expect her to win this one with the handicap. Na Li vs Anastasia Rodionova- Li -5.5 handicap- 4/5 Bet365- (5/10) The handicap is a big higher than the ones I like to take but here I feel it is very achievable for Li. She's an extremely clever player and uses her little advantages over her opponent to count. Was never a massive fan of hers before last year, but from watching her on a more consistent basis, recognized what a good player she is. That was shown through her performance in the Aussie Open where she got to the semis, beating yummy Wozniacki and Venus before narrowly losing to Serena in two tie breaks. She beat Venus again just a few days ago in Hong Kong which I think will give her a massive boost for the upcoming season. Her opponent, Rodionova is a player I firmly dislike. She is so erratic and inconsistent it's laughable except when you have some money on her and she's 4-0 40-0 up in the final set and loses 6-4. (Past experience) Already lost to Jovanovski this year in 3, and whilst Li was beating the likes of Venus and Caroline, Rodionova was losing to the likes of McHale and almost a girl called Ryoko Fuda, ranked outside the top 200. They've met twice before, Li winning both and all the sets she's won have been at the loss of 3 games maximum. Class will prevail here and Li should cover the handicap if she is her clever self.

WIN LOSS WIN Decent profit there. Good watchable match between Safina ana Bartoli, unlike most Safina matches. Lu like expected beat Rodionova comfortably. Disapointing with Kiri not making it a full house though, looks like her serve was causing her problems.