[Tennis - 15-21 August]

Re: Tennis - 15-21 August Have to agree with Pyscho on a couple of his WTA bets today. Garrigues vs Cetkovska - Garrigues -3.5 games 1.91 at Victor Chandler (4/10) Garringues leads the h2h 2-0 winning both games by this margin and more, including once on the hard courts. Cetkovska is not much of a hard courter and you have too look as far back as March 2009 for the last time she got passed the first round of a WTA level hard court tournament. She has struggled in qualifying dropping sets in both games and I fancy Garrigues to punish her mistakes today. Makarova vs Martinez Sanchez - Makarova +3.5 games 2.0 Victor Chandler (4/10) Can't believe the odds here on Makarova, having a 2-0 H2h (both wins in the last year including one on the hard courts of Seoul) no way should she be priced at 3.0 + in my eyes. Still I'm playing it safe and going for the plus handicap. Makarova will have the psychological edge with those two recent wins and having techinally gone out of the tournament yesterday not sure Martinez Sanchez will be completly focused against an opponent who she knows will give her a tough match. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August

Berdych vs Tipsarevic – Berdych -2.5 games 2.05 at sportingbet (3/10):\ Radwanska vs Petkovic – over 21.5 games 1.83 at SkyBet (4/10):\ Van der Merwe vs Bemelemens – over 22.5 games 1.85 at bwin (3/10) :ok

Not good takes me into a -1.26 unit loss. To try and recover will go for; Williams vs Azarenka – Williams to win 1.75 at Boyle Sports (5/10) This may not be the easiest of games for Serena who has been a bit sloppy all week, dropping sets in the last two rounds but she should see this out if the H2H is anything to go by. She leads 3-1, with the only loss being back in Miami 09 which I think was when she was having a few injury problems, so with her getting back to full fitness now hopefully she should have enough to bag the win. In qualifiying for WTA Cincinnati I like the look of; Sheepers vs Kudryavtseva – Kudryavtseva to win 1.70 at bwin (5/10) Neither of these two are likely to ever set the hard court world alight but in the H2H Kudryavtseva has the advantage on this surface with a 3-0 record so I’m happy to take this bet. And in the mens qualifying for Cincinnati I will take; Deverman vs Ilhan – Deverman to win 2-0 2.0 at bet365 (3/10) Deverman is the classier player on this surface and should be able to find a way past Ilhan quite easily. Although it was on clay the only head to head was won by this score line and given Dev’s good results on hard courts this year which have included beating the likes of Baghdatis, Manninaro, Starace and Raonic by this score line I’m confident he can do the business here. Bogomolov vs Young – Bogomolov to win 1.72 at bet365 (4.5/10) For me Young reaching the semi finals last week was a bit of luck for him and hopefully normal service will be resumed today. Bogomolov has a 2-0 H2H record against Young and is generally better on the hard surface and certainly should be able to punish Young when he inevitably makes mistakes. Cippola vs Sweeting – Sweeting to win 2.0 2.5 at bet365 (3/10) For me Sweeting is the much better player on this surface atleast and I’m hoping that this superiority will show today. Cippola has a good record at challenger level, but particularly this year has struggled to make the jump up to ATP tournaments. When he has faced people of a similar level to Sweeting he has struggled and this year alone has lost by 0-2 to the likes of Davydenko, Rochus, Tursinov and Mallise. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August So have finally found something to plump for; Berdych vs Tipsarevic – Berdych -2.5 games 2.05 at sportingbet (3/10) Think Berdych should have just about enough to beat this handicap against Janko. For me he is the better player and although the head to head has them as equals (2-2), the only match on this surface was won with ease by Berdych 6-0 6-4. Radwanska vs Petkovic – over 21.5 games 1.83 at SkyBet (4/10) 2 out the 3 H2H have been over this games line including last weeks semi final in Carlsbad, and although Radwanska has won all three, I’ve no doubt Petkovic will be pushing again especially given the fact that Radwanska is carrying an injury. …and in the Binghamton Challenger Van der Merwe vs Bemelemens – over 22.5 games 1.85 at bwin (3/10) This one is mainly based on Van der Merwe game stats on hard. Having a look through his results there seems a prevalence of matches that have at least one 7-6 or 7-5 set, and a quick count tells me that 10 of his last 13 games have seen a tie breaker. Fancy that to happen again today when he comes up against Bemelemens, who may struggle on returns but has enough skill and is a tricky left hander to keep Van der Merwe busy on his own service games. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August

Wawrinka vs Anderson - Wawrinka -2.5 games 1.95 at bodog (4/10) :\ Tipsarevic vs Dodig - Tipsarevic -2.5 games 1.90 at paddypower (4/10):ok

Tiny loss takes me down to +3.19 units for the week,have been stuck around this level for about three days now!! Was hoping for a bit more success over the next couple of days but on first viewing there's not much I like the look of today.

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August Had identified these two bets when the draw for the last 16 was finally confirmed and its good to see Atko agreeing with them as well. Wawrinka vs Anderson - Wawrinka -2.5 games 1.95 at bodog (4/10) Stan has been in good form this week seeing off Nalbandian and then Michael Russell with relative ease and fancy the same thing to happen today. Anderson has the big serve but not much more in my opinion, and Stan with the better all round game should have enough to easily keep his service games and have a good go at breaking Anderson. Only needs a couple of breaks to beat this line and having won the only h2h (on hard as well) by 4 games its certainly seems a doable task. Tipsarevic vs Dodig - Tipsarevic -2.5 games 1.90 at paddypower (4/10) A great result but such tough game for Dodig yesterday that he will have to be suffereing from it surely. Quite often after a major upset, the winner struggles in the next match and Tipsarevic could well be the guy to take advantage of this. He is a solid player and having beat Dodig already 7-5 6-1 in Delray Beach this year he will be confident of another win, and as per that previous head to head i'm happy to take this handicap. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August

Wawrinka vs Russell - Wawrinka -4 games 1.91 at bet365 (4/10) :ok Rafa Nadal vs Dodig - under 19.5 games 1.80 at boylesports (3.5/10):\ Petrova vs Zvonereva - over 20.5 games 1.80 at unibet (5/10):ok Serena Williams vs Goerges - under 18.5 games 2.0 at paddy power (4/10) :\

A tiny profit for the day, +3.59 for the week .

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August Wawrinka vs Russell - Wawrinka -4 games 1.91 at bet365 (4/10) Stan is by far the classier player on this surface so should be able to beat this handicap against Russell. In the one previous game they have played on this surface it ended 6-3 6-4. Having thrashed Nalbandian in the first round no doubt he will be eager to continue that form against Russell, who will not be able to contain him if he shows what he did against Nalbandian. Rafa Nadal vs Dodig - under 19.5 games 1.80 at boylesports (3.5/10) Dont think this will be a thrashing for Rafa as it is his first match since Wimbledon but he should have more than enough to see of Dodig relativly comfortably.The only time these two met Rafa won in 17 games so this allows for an extra couple of games if he has any rustiness to shake off. However for both of them its the first hard court comp after the clay / grass season so dont think either has too much of an advantage in that regard. Petrova vs Zvonereva - over 20.5 games 1.80 at unibet (5/10) These pair have played each other 7 times with 5 going over thsis line and the other 2 matches having a very close 19 and 20 games. Zvonereva is in good form having made 2 hard court finals in a row, however Petrova has a 5-2 lead in the H2H so it will not go all of Zvonerevas own way thats for sure. Serena Williams vs Goerges - under 18.5 games 2.0 at paddy power (4/10) Goerges is unconvincing on the hard to say the least as seen in Carlsbad last week where she went out in her opening game to wild card Sloane Stephens. Williams should be able to take advantage of any weaknesses in Goerges game, and being in fine form herself I dont think she will have trouble doing just that. She faced the likes of Sharapova and Lisicki last week and won by 16 and 15 games respectivly so no reason why that can't happen again tonight. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August

Gasquet vs Mayer – over 21.5 games 1.85 at bwin (3/10) :\ Murray vs Anderson – Murray -5.5 games 2.38 at Paddy Power (4.5/10):\ Pennetta vs Kirlenko – Pennetta to win 1.91 at Victor Chandler (3/10):ok Serena Williams vs Bonderenko – under 17.5 games 1.80 at bwin (4/10):ok Dubois vs Woerle – over 19.5 games 1.78 at bwin (3.5/10):ok Hantuchova vs Dulko - Hantuchova -5.5 games 1.80 at Bet365 (3.5/10):\

Mixed bag really, small loss for the day takes me down to +3.45 units for the week.

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August Ok, final one for me today Hantuchova vs Dulko - Hantuchova -5.5 games 1.80 at bet365 (3.5/10) Hantuchova has won the last 4 against Dulko, 3 of them on hard and all 4 off them beating this handicap. Given how well each of these ladies are playing you have to suspect something similar. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August Quite a lot I fancy today, these are the first batch but may be back with more later in the day. Gasquet vs Mayer – over 21.5 games 1.85 at bwin (3/10) Think this one has a good chance of going overs. They played recently in a Davis cup match that went 5 sets with Gasquet coming back from 2-0 down to win. Because of that Gasquet will probably feel he has the upper hand and will be confident going into this one and I do personally feel he will proibably win. However having won 2 sets in that match Mayer has a great chance to nick a set here and take the match into 3 sets and so cover this overs line. Both a failry accomplished hard court players. Murray vs Anderson – Murray -5.5 games 2.38 at Paddy Power (4.5/10) Should be a routine win for Murray here as it was in there only one previous head to head. Murray has no problems against the big servers due to his excellent return game so will Andersons big serve will not worry him and he is far better than Anderson in every other aspect of his game. Murray showed good form on the hard courts during the recent Davis Cup ties, and he also won this event last year and will be motivated to do well again. Felt I could have gone higher, saw 6.0 being offered for a -7.5 handicap which is more than do-able but will stick to this I think. Pennetta vs Kirlenko – Pennetta to win 1.91 at Victor Chandler (3/10) Pennetta has won 4 on the bounce against Kirlenko all on hard courts so another win for her today shouldn’t be too difficult. Kirlenko also picked up an injury in Carlsbad last week forcing a withdrawal from that event so may not have trained all that much since. Serena Williams vs Bonderenko – under 17.5 games 1.80 at bwin (4/10) I worry for Bonderenko here, given Serena’s form last week in Standford crusing to victory and here evident desire to get back playing and moving up the rankings I foresee this a possibly a double bagel for Serena. In there two previous matches there have been 14 and 17 games, so likely to cover this games line again I feel. Dubois vs Woerle – over 19.5 games 1.78 at bwin (3.5/10) Should be a tight game this against to very evenly matched players. Dubois is on home turf and will be looking to make an impression whilst Woerle will be confident having dispatched two top 80 players in the qualifiers. The head to head is 1-1, and both of those games went over this games line. I can see both winning a set here, and taking the game into a 3rd set which should see this bet in. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August Great stuff again by Psycho and Fishy25, well done guys.

Anderson vs Andujar - under 21.5 games 1.73 at Victor Chandler (4/10) :ok Del Potro vs Niemenem – under 20.5 games 1.91 at Victor Chandler (4/10):ok Makarova vs Marino – over 20.5 games 1.91 at Victor Chandler (3/10) :ok Jankovic vs Goerges - Jankovic -2.5 games 1.73 at Victor Chandler (3.5/10) :\

3 out of 4 not bad at all, still miles off on the Jankovic match. +5.79 units for the day.

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August More from me; Del Potro vs Niemenem – under 20.5 games 1.91 at Victor Chandler (4/10) Think Del Potro will win easily here as he has in his previous two h2h’s against Niemenem, and the odds are better on the unders than the handicap so will take this option. Makarova vs Marino – over 20.5 games 1.91 at Victor Chandler (3/10) These are two very evenly matched opponents and I can see them playing out a tight match tonight. Makarova has a 2-0 H2H lead over Marino but this is a big opportunity for her in a home tournament, on the main court as the headline match and she will no doubt want to up her game to impress the home fans. Those 2 H2H had 20 games and 30 games so I think its realistic could go over the 20.5 line Jankovic vs Goerges - Jankovic -2.5 games 1.73 at Victor Chandler (3.5/10) Despite being close in the rankings I feel Jankovic is the better hard courter and hopefully that will show tonight. Jankovic has already had some success in hard court events this year and plenty other successes in the past. In the one h2h on hard Jankovic won by 6 games and she also won the other match on grass by this handicap as well. :hope

[Tennis - 8-15 August]

Re: Tennis - 8-15 August Just a quick one from me for now, but likely to be back later with more Anderson vs Andujar - under 21.5 games 1.73 at Victor Chandler (4/10) Already been touched on but this should be a routine win for Anderson. Can't get anything decent on the handicap so will take this instead. These two met in Miami back in March in a match won by Anderson 6-2 6-3, and there should be a repeat of that today. Andujar is not much of a hard courter, rarely plays on this surface where as Anderson does alright on this surface and should be up to scratch having played 3 hard court events in the last month.

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August No luck with any of those yesterday. Baltacha match fell one game short of the overs line, Benesova stake was returned due to Razzano getting injured, and Jovanonski dropped the second set on a tie break. All quite close though so not too disappointed and a total of +10.41 profit for the week is good enough for me.

[Portugal Super Cup 07 Aug 11]

Re: Portugal Super Cup 07 Aug 11 First football bet of the season and I'm going for; Porto -1 vs Vitoria Guimaraes 1.91 at Paddy Power (4 units) Porto have had a decent pre-season despite being without a couple of there key players for most of the time and have had enough game time to be at a good level of fitness. Its their managers Vitor Pereira first competitive game in charge and no doubt he will want to start with a good performance and an early trophy. Having been assistant manager before he is likely to keep the same players and a similar style to last season, which produced lots of goals and great attacking play including 9 in 3 games versus tonights opponents with 2 of those 3 matches beating this handicap. Don't know an awful lot about Guimaraes but they had a tricky Europa League tie only on Thursday and I think two games over the space of 4 days is a tough ask so early in the season. They may be able to keep it tight for a while but dont think they will have the legs to do it all game and with the attackers Porto have I fancy them to take there chances when they eventually get them. :hope

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August There is also a few qualifiers in the Toronto WTA event that I like the look of so going for; Benesova vs Razzano - Benesova to win 2.10 at PaddyPower (2.5/10) Similar to Radwanska last night can't understand the pricing here. Paddy Power have Razzano at 1.66 and Benesova at 2.10. As Benesova is 30 ranking places ahead of Razzano and the H2H is 1-0 in her favour feel I should take her at these odds. Benesova is a decent hard court player in my eyes, easily saw of Lucic yesterday and already this season has had good wins against the likes of Vinci, Pennetta and Pavlyuchenkova. She also went well at this event last year (reached the last 16) so will want to impress again no doubt. Razzano wont be a walk over but there are still doubts for me over her fitness having pulled out of Carlsbad this week, so she is unlikely to have trained much since then and Benesova will really test her I feel. She dropped a set in what should have been a simple match yesterday vs Pelletier who was ranked 352 in the world. 3 sets in that match can't have helped her fitness either. Jovanovski vs Parra Santonja - Jovanovski to win 2-0 1.73 at bet365 (3/10) Should be a routine win for the serbian today as it was in there only h2h so far, where Jovanovski won easily 6-2 6-2 on the hard courts of Beijing in October last year. Since then these tow have gone in opposite directions in the rankings. Jovanovski has shown some good tennis on this surface this year, made the semi's in Sydney back in January and since then has registered another couple of qtr final places . She had a nice easy win over Oudin yesterday as well. On the other hand Parra Santonja has in her career mainly limited herself to ITF level hard court events over the last few years, and has struggled to make the jump up to this level on this surface. Before yesterdays win over Vania King she had lost 6 WTA level games in a row, so good form at all. Baltacha vs Arn - over 22.5 games 1.91 at bet 365 (2.5/10) In all three of these pairs h2h previously the overs line has been met with a range of totals from 26 to 30 games, so have to fancy the overs again here. :hope

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August

Radwanska vs Petkovic - Radwanska to win 2.25 at bwin (5/10) :ok Monfils vs Isner - over 22.5 games 1.73 at bet365 (6/10) :ok

Good night for me last night. Now its finals day time to review my outright picks

Vera Zvonereva to win Carlsbad - 5.0 with Stan James - (2/10) :hope Marcos Baghdatis to win Washington ATP - 17.0 at Paddy Power (1/10) :\ Fabio Fognini to win Kitzbuhel - 15.0 Betfred (1/10) :\

Ok, so all this leaves me with a profit of 11.91 so far for the week :beer. Can guarantee profit today in Carlsbad as I have Zvonereva on the outright, meaning i'll take the Radwanska win for security. Will have +4 units profit whoever wins today.

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August Just to recap from a couple of nights ago

Ivanovic vs Brianti - Ivanovic -5 games 1.83 at bet365 (3.5/10) :ok Hantuchova vs Zheng - under 19.5 games 1.83 at bet365 (4/10) :\ Mchale vs Radwanska - McHale +4.5 games 2.0 at bwin (3/10) :\

Now a lowly +3.28 units for the week. Hope to increase those profits tonight with a couple of bets Radwanska vs Petkovic - Radwanska to win 2.25 at bwin (5/10) No reason why Radwanska can't win here, and unless there's an issue with Radwanska I'm not aware of I can't understand why the bookies have got Petkovic as the relativly clear favourite (bwin are giving 1.57 for her but 2.25 for Radwanska). I feel the two players are of similar ability but with a 2-0 head to head record in favour of Radwanska i'm drawn to her at these odds. Monfils vs Isner - over 22.5 games 1.73 at bet365 (6/10) Taking the lowest overs line available as I generally like to minimise risk but the over 23.5 line is available for 2.0 which may interest some. In the 4 ATP level games (non majors) these two have played all of these matches have gone comfortably over the 22.5 line with a range of totals from 29 to 39 games. Given how those games went, I have to fancy something similar today. :hope

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August Ivanovic vs Brianti - Ivanovic -5 games 1.83 at bet365 (3.5/10) Was torn between the unders or the handicap here but have gone with the handicap because the odds are little better. Brianti knows here level on the hard courts and with the exception of the win over Pennetta who cost herself the match by the sounds of things rather than Brianti stepping her game up, she wont trouble anyone in pretty much the top 30. Over the last year she has lost by 8 games to both Kirilenko and Cibulkova and by 9 games last week to Peer. Ivanovic is rather inconsistent on this surface but a good win over Morita in round one would have given her greater belief and a psychological boost having lost to the same player in Standford last week. She should have enough to beat the handicap here. Hantuchova vs Zheng - under 19.5 games 1.83 at bet365 (4/10) Again weighed this up vs the handicap and this wins because of the better odds. These pair have met 4 times, with Hantuchova winning in straights on all 4 occasions so its surely going to be another straightforward game. Two of those games have been on the hard and both have been unders (18 and 15 games)which points to another unders here. 6-4, 6-3 would do it and that certainly isn't being the realms of possibility. Mchale vs Radwanska - McHale +4.5 games 2.0 at bwin (3/10) McHale has had a simple route into this round with a double bagel victory in R1 and a retired opponent in R2 so should be fresh for tonights match. She may not win, but in home events this year she has shown she is no walkover against the better quality players. She has kept games against Cibulkova, Dokic, Petrova and Kuznetsova all easily within this handicap so I fancy her chances of doing so again. Radwanska is a strong player but prone to ocassional lapse in concentration (we even saw this against Baltacha in her second round match up, where she failed to build on a dominant first set and was taken all the way to a tie break) so McHale could easily take a set here I feel. :hope

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August

For tonight; Stepanek vs Odesnick - Stepanek -3 games 1.80 at bet365 (4/10) :ok Paszek vs Kirlenko - Paszek +3.5 games 1.95 at bwin (4/10) VOID

+7.37 units for the week now. Back with some picks for Carlsbad later once full odds are released.

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August For tonight; Stepanek vs Odesnick - Stepanek -3 games 1.80 at bet365 (4/10) Stepanek is a solid pro, who has a decent hard court game as shown in his first round win over Philipp Petzscher where he came from a set down to comfortably win in the end 6-7 6-4 6-0. If he can carry that form from the last couple of sets into this match then he should have a very good chance at beating this handicap. Whilst Odesnick is not a bad hard courter, he is lucky to be here after Mardy Fish pulled out of the competition, making him the lucky loser. Stepanek should be professional enough to see of any threat he may pose here. Indeed they have met once on hard courts in Jan 2010 and Stepenek won by 6 games then. Considered the sets handicap here but the games line allows for a slow start as in Stepaneks first round match Paszek vs Kirlenko - Paszek +3.5 games 1.95 at bwin (4/10) No reason why Paszek cant win this one. The head to head is 2-0 in her favour (both on hard as well) and they are very close in the rankings. Paszek will have a lot of confidence following a strong Wimbledon, a semi final appearance in Stanford last week and a great comeback win against Halep in the first round here. Kirilenko is a decent enough player and may have enough to keep it tight but cant see her running away with, and for me is more than likely to drop atleast one set, which should be enough I hope to make this handicap a success. :hope

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August Cracking stuff Psycho, some great picks.

Baltacha vs Radwanska - Radwanska -5.5 games 1.95 at Victor Chandler (3/10) :ok

So its +4.17 units for me now. Not seen much to tempt me at Kitzbuhel today but might be back with a pick or two for the matches stateside later. Good luck to all that have a bet today.

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August

Giraldo vs Brands - Giraldo -3.5 games 1.83 at bet365 (4/10) :ok Volandri vs Grannolers - Volandri to win 3.25 at Sporting Bet (2/10) :\

Small profit of 1.32 units :loon Had a quick look at the WTA action tonight and like the look of; Baltacha vs Radwanska - Radwanska -5.5 games 1.95 at Victor Chandler (3/10) I like Radwanska on the hard courts, think she can be a very effective player on her day. Certainly should be too good for Baltacha, who has lost by this handicap to Razzano and Koryttseva in the past two hard courts events. Radwanska is a step up from those two and has already beaten her by this margin or more in their previous two meetings. :hope

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August Like Psycho i've been having a think about the Volandri vs Grannolers match ever since Grannolers made his final last week. Having played, won and possibly celebrated a little last Sunday, it will be difficult for him to be focused on this match, and I think Volandri is good enough to take advantage of that. Whether the lack of focus will only be for a couple of games, a set or the whole match who knows but the price offered on Volandri is too tempting for me to ignore. Also Volandri has already beat Grannolers on the clay this year which is another interesting factor. Volandri vs Grannolers - Volandri to win 3.25 at Sporting Bet (2/10) :hope

[Tennis - 1-7 August]

Re: Tennis - 1-7 August A quick picks from me for today; Giraldo vs Brands - Giraldo -3.5 games 1.83 at bet365 (4/10) For me Giraldo is better in is ability and consistancy on these clay courts. They are the same age but Giraldo has found it a lot easier to make the step up from challenger successes to the main ATP tour than Brands has.