[May 6 - May 12]

Re: May 6 - May 12 Davidson, is currently 7/1 on Paddy Power! and Gimeno Traver showed incredible resilience against Gasquet, saved several setpoints in the first set For a player who was until recently, very flakey (often losing in the final set 6-0 for instance), I'm very impressed with how he's turned himself around, his form this year has been very solid

[April 1 - April 7]

Re: April 1 - April 7 ah shame i didn't back jessica like you said Guardiola! great pick though! barthel completely crumbled once she lost that first set (having been control for almost of all that first set in fairness!) but that's how it goes

[March 18 - March 31]

Re: March 18 - March 31 I watched Cilic's match against Tsonga and he served very well for much of the match but he threw in two absolutely shocking service games in the second set, one which he lost and the other which he struggled through more due to Tsonga not taking his chances than anything else if he does the same against Murray, we could see a 7-5, 6-3 or a 6-4, 6-3 outcome to Murray I agree with you that Cilic is usually strong in the opening set, so he should keep it close, but whether he's good enough to stay within 5 games of Murray overall, I can't say, it's a close one to call

[March 18 - March 31]

Re: March 18 - March 31

Simon to beat Haas @ 2.72 (4/10 @ Pinnacle) Over 23.5 games 2.23 @ Pinnacle (9/10) I'm not really sure who'll win this match up. But the value is definitely on Simon's side, odds should be far more to evens than it is right now. One thing of what I am really confident, is that this is going to be a marathon game. Haas is obviously in heaven right now after his dream win over Djokovic at this age. Surely he played very well against Nole, but Djokovic was really, really off his game last night. Haas seems to fire himself up more into full focus when playing the top dogs, but on the flip side he tends to throw in a period in which he makes errors against others. Resulting in unnecessary tiebreaks or third sets. Simon has a habit of playing a lot of 3 setters as well. But he sure looks quite good at the moment and I think his defensive game yesterday against Tipsarevic was quite on par and he could really frustrate the German like he did with Janko. For me this over looks absolutely great and I'm also taking Simon on medium-small stakes.

I didn't see Simon vs Tipsy but was both apalled and impressed with him against Paire a couple of weeks back, in that both him and Paire were shockingly poor in that match, dropping their serves left, right and centre - at one stage there was five breaks of serve in a row! That said, Simon hung in there impressively, saving a couple of matchpoints and not throwing the towel in and eventually winning the match, even when he was playing way way below his normal level, and for that i applaud him It seems like his level has improved since then, and yes the one thing in Simon's favour is the tendency for players who beat the top seed unexpectedly (like Rosol vs Nadal last year) having a nightmare in the next match, Haas however is too much of a pro to let that happen I would still think Haas will have too much for Simon, even in his elated state, my inclination is to wait until the game has started and perhaps bet in running...

[March 18 - March 31]

Re: March 18 - March 31

Gasquet -5 AH v O. Rochus @ 1.83 Marathon Fancy gasquet here, Oil hasn't got any weapons to threat Richard, he was lucky to win in first round vs injured Ito. If you look at h2h between these two you will notice that gasquet didn't have any problems to cover this line on most occasions. Although these results are from few years back therefore one would think they're quite irrelevant however during these past years the player who dropped his level is Rochus. Therefore if Gasquet didn't have problems in the past vs rochus can't see why he should have any now.

Interesting, although Rochus has been in stellar form lately, dispatched Petschner very easily (and Petschner had been on a good run himself up to that point) but if he only beat Ito cos he was injured, then that's a cause for concern alright There's also the fact that Gasquet is a headcase, and can sometimes snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, so I think I'll pass on this one Thanks for your thoughts though

[March 18 - March 31]

Re: March 18 - March 31 any thoughts on Niemenin? his comeback against Nalbandian was nothing short of ridiculous, thought there was no way back for him when a set and a break (or was it two breaks?) down Klizan got a bye into the next round, but from what I've seen, he's not in the best of form, will wait and see what the handicaps are on this one, but Jarrko really impressed me with his Lazarus like recovery in Round 1

[March 18 - March 31]

Re: March 18 - March 31 not sure what the hell happened Sijsling in that first set, but he made a fight of it after that seemed to run out of steam in the third, while very much still in the match, shame i suspect he's still a bit off full fitness since his injury, but with a few more matches under his belt, i can see him winning matches again and moving up the rankings and possibly making it to 4R or QFs of majors in the years ahead he's a talented player, superb serve when he's on song, almost unreturnable

[March 18 - March 31]

Re: March 18 - March 31 Sijsling is either carrying an injury or unfit either way he's getting his ass whipped by Haas right now was a bit worried when I saw him capitulate all of a sudden in the second set against Reynolds last week when he seemed to have taken control of the match

[March 18 - March 31]

Re: March 18 - March 31 @Guardiola your English is just fine viel besser als mein Deutsch! thanks for your tips and also to all the other guys on here when i get myself more organised, i'll start to post some of my own tips (with reasoning)

[Tennis: Australian Open 2012]

Re: Tennis: Australian Open 2012

OK, I continue pushing my luck with another WTA Kuznetsova to bt Lisicki @2.20 Pinnacle I already went once against Lisicki in this AO, namely in her match with Peer, but Peer let me down by playing absolute crap. Lisicki plays tennis full of force, early hitten balls and winners, but her movement is not that good and she makes lot of errors. Not that Kuzzy does not makes errors - she does, but she is old veteran and more versatile player IMO. H2H is 1-0 for Lisicki: Wimbledon 2009, where Kuzzy lost as a big fav in R3 26 57. I think she will want revenge. Last week she did beat Zvonareva in two straight sets, so she's got the weapons. Also waiting for better odds in Gasquet-Tipsa. Looks like the whole world is jumping on Tipsa who has his leg and foot tapped all over. As soon as the odds on the Frenchmen cross 2.0, I jump on it.

I would be wary of lumping much money on Kuznetsova here Yes she did beat Zvonereva easily a couple of weeks back, but that was Vera's first game back and she was obviously still rusty so I wouldn't read too much into it Lisicki is notoriously hard to predict, on her day she can beat anyone, but she can also lose 6 games in a row from 5-1 up in a set like she did a couple of times last year My advise would be to steer well clear of this match!

[Tennis: Australian Open 2012]

Re: Tennis: Australian Open 2012

Three picks for the ladies today; Christina McHale vs Marina Erakovic – McHale -3 games 2.1 at bet365 Saw a bit of McHale during the American hard court events in August / September last year and was impressed by some her performances and results, as she beat the likes of Kuzentsova, Bartoli and Wozniaki. She made the final 32 of the US Open during that run and she has an excellent opportunity to do similar here against Erakovic. Her opponent has very little pedigree at this level, and was made to work by a player about 157 places below her in the first round, whilst McHale coasted through against the 24th seed Safarova. This to me highlights the difference in ability between the two. I expect a routine if not emphatic win and hopefully she’ll be able to cover the handicap. Kim Clijsters vs Stephanie Foretz-Gacon – Foretz Gacon under 4.5 games 2.10 at Paddy Power Not overly confident about taking a game line so short but I can see nothing else but a thrashing by Clijsters tonight and 6-2 6-2 or better seems a very possible score line. Not sure how Baltacha managed to lose the first round against Gacon as the French women has barely played on hard courts at this level in the last couple of years. Clijsters on the other hand is a pro on this surface, the reigning champ at this slam and will simply have way too much power and skill for her opponent here. Victoria Azarenka vs Casey Dellacqua – Second set under 8.5 games 1.83 at Ladbrokes To be honest, both sets could go under and I’m expecting a good win for Azarenka here, however there is a tiny chance that with Dellacqua playing at her home tournament with her home fans backing her she could start with a bit of tempo and maybe snatch a few games. I expect Azarenka to show her quality however and weather any storm the Aussie throws at here, and once she gets on top I can’t see Dellacqua offering much afterwards. All the previous 4 sets between these two have gone under 8.5 games. Again all bets placed with a small 1 unit stake. :hope

Erakovic looked pretty useful against Kerber about ten days ago(in Hobart I think), was serving for the match but snatched defeat from the jaws of victory She's a talented player though and I think she'll give McHale a run for her money, so I'm gonna hold my fire, perhaps throw some money on in running (if I'm still awake at that hour!)

[Tennis: Australian Open 2012]

Re: Tennis: Australian Open 2012 I would also be somewhat wary of Berdych vs Rochus The little guy took out some big hitters last week, in particular Kohlschreiber, despite losing the first set Kohli is not unlike Berdych, albeit not as good a player Berds will probably oust him eventually but Rochus with the handicap could be a decent bet (unless the exertions of last week catch up on him)