neilovan

Strange woman's results  ...  Kontaveit losing losing to Li, and some expected oddities (Sabalenka and Raducanu) greet the dawn.  Kontaveit looks exhausted. Probably needs 4 weeks off, just to chill and recharge. Anyone who really gets their act together could win 2 or 3 majors this year. Swaitek probably the most consistent of the lot. 
The tennis circuit is just tough, especially starting off slowly. Case in point Clara Burel. 21, world junior #1, obviously with huge pedigree. But against the pro's it's a slow start. She has now lost 8 of her last 10 matches, on trips to Canada, Chicago, New York, Melbourne, California and Miami. Cranking up air miles while going moggy for 8 hours.  So important to have the right team around, because it's easy to get down and demotivated. She plays Petra Kvitova.  I can't see her winning here.  Last 4 matches have been better, but she is losing sets badly (6-1, 6-2 etc).  Also, her record against top 50 ranked players is played 8 lost 8.
 I think Paula Badosa could lose today against Marie Bouzkova, Bouzkova, who is on a serious winning streak. Won 2 qualifiers (both 3 sets) with a demolition of Siegmund 1 and 2. in the main draw.  Also won 7 of her last 9 main draw matches prior to this tournament, so she is doing very well. 2 of those loses came against big servers (Rybakina and Kanepi), which is something Badosa is not. Bouzkova with a good chance here.
I do like Samsonova and Vondrousova both to win today.  Samsonova plays Brengle, who has just lost a ton of sets 6-0 recently. It shows no confidence, and a serve that is struggling. Brengle hovering around the 65 ranking, but Samsonova has come down from 130 to about 35 or so.
Vondrousova plays Putintseva. SHe has been playing well and has a good start to 2022. Left handed, with a very solid forehand, is gonna give people a lot of problems, and will get better and better.
In the men's I don't see much that interests me. Dimitrov plays McDonald and I think he could lose. Losses to Kozlov, Paire, Millman and Cressey show that Gregor is very vulnerable. Also, the American player will feel quite comfortable and at home, and will have the crowd. He also comes into this with some decent wins.
Happy to take Kvitova and Vondrousova as a double.
Will take Bouzkova and Rybakina as a double.
McDonald and Samsonova as a double.
I don't really like taking 2 longshot outsiders in one bet. Hard for 1 of them to win, and very difficult for both. It's annoying when one tough leg wins, and it blows up in the other. My feeling is to take a longshot, with a solid favorite.

Strange woman's results  ...  Kontaveit losing losing to Li, and some expected oddities (Sabalenka and Raducanu) greet the dawn.  Kontaveit looks exhausted. Probably needs 4 weeks off, just to chill and recharge. Anyone who really gets their act together could win 2 or 3 majors this year. Swaitek probably the most consistent of the lot. 
The tennis circuit is just tough, especially starting off slowly. Case in point Clara Burel. 21, world junior #1, obviously with huge pedigree. But against the pro's it's a slow start. She has now lost 8 of her last 10 matches, on trips to Canada, Chicago, New York, Melbourne, California and Miami. Cranking up air miles while going moggy for 8 hours.  So important to have the right team around, because it's easy to get down and demotivated. She plays Petra Kvitova.  I can't see her winning here.  Last 4 matches have been better, but she is losing sets badly (6-1, 6-2 etc).  Also, her record against top 50 ranked players is played 8 lost 8.
 I think Paula Badosa could lose today against Marie Bouzkova, Bouzkova, who is on a serious winning streak. Won 2 qualifiers (both 3 sets) with a demolition of Siegmund 1 and 2. in the main draw.  Also won 7 of her last 9 main draw matches prior to this tournament, so she is doing very well. 2 of those loses came against big servers (Rybakina and Kanepi), which is something Badosa is not. Bouzkova with a good chance here.
I do like Samsonova and Vondrousova both to win today.  Samsonova plays Brengle, who has just lost a ton of sets 6-0 recently. It shows no confidence, and a serve that is struggling. Brengle hovering around the 65 ranking, but Samsonova has come down from 130 to about 35 or so.
Vondrousova plays Putintseva. SHe has been playing well and has a good start to 2022. Left handed, with a very solid forehand, is gonna give people a lot of problems, and will get better and better.
In the men's I don't see much that interests me. Dimitrov plays McDonald and I think he could lose. Losses to Kozlov, Paire, Millman and Cressey show that Gregor is very vulnerable. Also, the American player will feel quite comfortable and at home, and will have the crowd. He also comes into this with some decent wins.
Happy to take Kvitova and Vondrousova as a double.
Will take Bouzkova and Rybakina as a double.
McDonald and Samsonova as a double.
I don't really like taking 2 longshot outsiders in one bet. Hard for 1 of them to win, and very difficult for both. It's annoying when one tough leg wins, and it blows up in the other. My feeling is to take a longshot, with a solid favorite.

Strange woman's results  ...  Kontaveit losing losing to Li, and some expected oddities (Sabalenka and Raducanu) greet the dawn.  Kontaveit looks exhausted. Probably needs 4 weeks off, just to chill and recharge. Anyone who really gets their act together could win 2 or 3 majors this year. Swaitek probably the most consistent of the lot. 
The tennis circuit is just tough, especially starting off slowly. Case in point Clara Burel. 21, world junior #1, obviously with huge pedigree. But against the pro's it's a slow start. She has now lost 8 of her last 10 matches, on trips to Canada, Chicago, New York, Melbourne, California and Miami. Cranking up air miles while going moggy for 8 hours.  So important to have the right team around, because it's easy to get down and demotivated. She plays Petra Kvitova.  I can't see her winning here.  Last 4 matches have been better, but she is losing sets badly (6-1, 6-2 etc).  Also, her record against top 50 ranked players is played 8 lost 8.
 I think Paula Badosa could lose today against Marie Bouzkova, Bouzkova, who is on a serious winning streak. Won 2 qualifiers (both 3 sets) with a demolition of Siegmund 1 and 2. in the main draw.  Also won 7 of her last 9 main draw matches prior to this tournament, so she is doing very well. 2 of those loses came against big servers (Rybakina and Kanepi), which is something Badosa is not. Bouzkova with a good chance here.
I do like Samsonova and Vondrousova both to win today.  Samsonova plays Brengle, who has just lost a ton of sets 6-0 recently. It shows no confidence, and a serve that is struggling. Brengle hovering around the 65 ranking, but Samsonova has come down from 130 to about 35 or so.
Vondrousova plays Putintseva. SHe has been playing well and has a good start to 2022. Left handed, with a very solid forehand, is gonna give people a lot of problems, and will get better and better.
In the men's I don't see much that interests me. Dimitrov plays McDonald and I think he could lose. Losses to Kozlov, Paire, Millman and Cressey show that Gregor is very vulnerable. Also, the American player will feel quite comfortable and at home, and will have the crowd. He also comes into this with some decent wins.
Happy to take Kvitova and Vondrousova as a double.
Will take Bouzkova and Rybakina as a double.
McDonald and Samsonova as a double.
I don't really like taking 2 longshot outsiders in one bet. Hard for 1 of them to win, and very difficult for both. It's annoying when one tough leg wins, and it blows up in the other. My feeling is to take a longshot, with a solid favorite.

Looking at a couple of upsets.
I don't think Fucsovic beats Giron.   Giron with two solid wins recently, beating Fritz and Carreno-Busta. A perfect matchup for a grinder like Giron here.
Sabalenka to lose to Begu. Sabalenka coming off plenty of unexpected losses. Juvan, Peterson, Kanepi, Paolini to mention a few. Untouchable at the price of 1.36.
Osaka v Kerber. Kerber is a bit of a freak. She can take long, extended breaks and come back and be match sharp. I wouldn't bet a cent on Osaka, who is just so brittle, especially against such a canny opponent.  
 
 
I also like Bronzetti to beat Giorgi. Giorgi is just plan A, and if it doesn't work, it's done and dusted. Bronzetti, with an upset win yesterday.
I think Bencic beats Kostyuk. Bencic with an early round loss two weeks ago, will want to stick around a little longer. For me Kostyuk has got such game, but she wants to blast every ball. So 1 dimensional at the moment. 
Watched Riske beat Tiechmann yesterday. Tiechmann blew herself up, and had plenty of chances, but Americans, on home soil are comfortable and do well. Riske to beat COrnet. Cornet had a freakish Aussie open, but has been hammered in almost every match since. St. Petersburg (Mertens), Qatar (Sabalenka), Lyon (Bucsa),, Indian Wells (Kalinskaya). Cornet struggling, dropping serve and not playing well. She has enough money, and seeing Barty retiring, will pretty much make her mind up. Definitely last season, and motivation is dropping...
$18200 for a 1st round loss is a nice weeks work,... win a match it's $30130 which also works.

Looking at a couple of upsets.
I don't think Fucsovic beats Giron.   Giron with two solid wins recently, beating Fritz and Carreno-Busta. A perfect matchup for a grinder like Giron here.
Sabalenka to lose to Begu. Sabalenka coming off plenty of unexpected losses. Juvan, Peterson, Kanepi, Paolini to mention a few. Untouchable at the price of 1.36.
Osaka v Kerber. Kerber is a bit of a freak. She can take long, extended breaks and come back and be match sharp. I wouldn't bet a cent on Osaka, who is just so brittle, especially against such a canny opponent.  
 
 
I also like Bronzetti to beat Giorgi. Giorgi is just plan A, and if it doesn't work, it's done and dusted. Bronzetti, with an upset win yesterday.
I think Bencic beats Kostyuk. Bencic with an early round loss two weeks ago, will want to stick around a little longer. For me Kostyuk has got such game, but she wants to blast every ball. So 1 dimensional at the moment. 
Watched Riske beat Tiechmann yesterday. Tiechmann blew herself up, and had plenty of chances, but Americans, on home soil are comfortable and do well. Riske to beat COrnet. Cornet had a freakish Aussie open, but has been hammered in almost every match since. St. Petersburg (Mertens), Qatar (Sabalenka), Lyon (Bucsa),, Indian Wells (Kalinskaya). Cornet struggling, dropping serve and not playing well. She has enough money, and seeing Barty retiring, will pretty much make her mind up. Definitely last season, and motivation is dropping...
$18200 for a 1st round loss is a nice weeks work,... win a match it's $30130 which also works.

Looking at a couple of upsets.
I don't think Fucsovic beats Giron.   Giron with two solid wins recently, beating Fritz and Carreno-Busta. A perfect matchup for a grinder like Giron here.
Sabalenka to lose to Begu. Sabalenka coming off plenty of unexpected losses. Juvan, Peterson, Kanepi, Paolini to mention a few. Untouchable at the price of 1.36.
Osaka v Kerber. Kerber is a bit of a freak. She can take long, extended breaks and come back and be match sharp. I wouldn't bet a cent on Osaka, who is just so brittle, especially against such a canny opponent.  
 
 
I also like Bronzetti to beat Giorgi. Giorgi is just plan A, and if it doesn't work, it's done and dusted. Bronzetti, with an upset win yesterday.
I think Bencic beats Kostyuk. Bencic with an early round loss two weeks ago, will want to stick around a little longer. For me Kostyuk has got such game, but she wants to blast every ball. So 1 dimensional at the moment. 
Watched Riske beat Tiechmann yesterday. Tiechmann blew herself up, and had plenty of chances, but Americans, on home soil are comfortable and do well. Riske to beat COrnet. Cornet had a freakish Aussie open, but has been hammered in almost every match since. St. Petersburg (Mertens), Qatar (Sabalenka), Lyon (Bucsa),, Indian Wells (Kalinskaya). Cornet struggling, dropping serve and not playing well. She has enough money, and seeing Barty retiring, will pretty much make her mind up. Definitely last season, and motivation is dropping...
$18200 for a 1st round loss is a nice weeks work,... win a match it's $30130 which also works.

I like all of these in qualifying for Miami (bold to win).
 
P Martic v C McHale
R Marino v K Zavatska
D Yastremska v C Dolehide
M Inglis v E Gorgodze
H Dart v T Maria
Will just take all 5 in 1 multiple, at about 2.9 or almost 2 to 1.
Here in South Africa they make the prices for these bets almost 1/2 of what bet365 are offering. You can't use bet365 or betfair, which is a joke. The gov would like the bookmakers to destroy the customer, and then pay taxes.
Yastremska v Dolehide  they offer 1.15 , bet365 has 1.28
Dart to beat Maria they offer 1.36, bet365 has 1.57  and so on.
Just ridiculous to be shafted before you have even made your bet.

It's hard enough to win and when you do you win 3/5th's of what you should. 

I like all of these in qualifying for Miami (bold to win).
 
P Martic v C McHale
R Marino v K Zavatska
D Yastremska v C Dolehide
M Inglis v E Gorgodze
H Dart v T Maria
Will just take all 5 in 1 multiple, at about 2.9 or almost 2 to 1.
Here in South Africa they make the prices for these bets almost 1/2 of what bet365 are offering. You can't use bet365 or betfair, which is a joke. The gov would like the bookmakers to destroy the customer, and then pay taxes.
Yastremska v Dolehide  they offer 1.15 , bet365 has 1.28
Dart to beat Maria they offer 1.36, bet365 has 1.57  and so on.
Just ridiculous to be shafted before you have even made your bet.

I like all of these in qualifying for Miami (bold to win).
 
P Martic v C McHale
R Marino v K Zavatska
D Yastremska v C Dolehide
M Inglis v E Gorgodze
H Dart v T Maria
Will just take all 5 in 1 multiple, at about 2.9 or almost 2 to 1.
Here in South Africa they make the prices for these bets almost 1/2 of what bet365 are offering. You can't use bet365 or betfair, which is a joke. The gov would like the bookmakers to destroy the customer, and then pay taxes.
Yastremska v Dolehide  they offer 1.15 , bet365 has 1.28
Dart to beat Maria they offer 1.36, bet365 has 1.57  and so on.
Just ridiculous to be shafted before you have even made your bet.

Woke up early and caught some of the Alcaraz v Norrie match. Norrie really didn't play badly. Seemed to suffer a slight hip-flexor/ groin strain but Alcaraz was just dynamic. His movement was insane, and he hit Norrie off the court constantly. I cannot see Nadal beating him. The improvements in his game are unbelievable, and the hype is for real. His game is phenomenal!  If he stays healthy, Alcaraz  will be the new king of tennis.
I still am not convinced regarding Swiatek. I think Halep runs her very close, probably winning. For me a small bet double on Halep and Alcaraz to win tournament/s. 

Good luck with the bet, I hope you win. I think Badosa is an unbelievable talent, but the serve is not effective. She is grinding through serve games, and it looks so strange, because she is potentially so good. For her to win, she has to get the serve improved by 15%, and I don't think she is there yet. I'm not really a Sakkari fan, but I do like her fire and determination.

What I like to see in players is improvement. A player who has worked hard on an aspect of their game. For example Tauson and Rybakina need to get fitter, and move better on the court. Sabalenka and Badosa need to make their serve better, and more consistent. Halep needs to be more proactive and aggressive, and take a few more chances. Berrettini needs to make his backhand stronger, and get away from his (limited) slice. Tiafoe needs more focus. Everyone should be trying to improve.
I see Sakkari really serving well. She is serving close to the best of her life. The serve has pop and snap, which is not easy to do, when you are not that tall. It's definitely going through the air quicker. She actually demolished Rybakina. After being down 1-4 after a slow start she won the set 7-5 (or 6-1) , and rolled over her opponent easily.
I have not seen Alcaraz hit the ball like he did against Norrie. Have not seen Halep hit the groundstrokes that hard, with so much aggression. Haven't seen Sakkari serve anything close to what she is doing now. It's impressive, and you need to adjust your betting accordingly. 
On the flip side you ask yourself "has Rubalev  or Fritz improved their games?" . I don't really think so. Can't see much different now, to how they played 6 months ago. 
 

Woke up early and caught some of the Alcaraz v Norrie match. Norrie really didn't play badly. Seemed to suffer a slight hip-flexor/ groin strain but Alcaraz was just dynamic. His movement was insane, and he hit Norrie off the court constantly. I cannot see Nadal beating him. The improvements in his game are unbelievable, and the hype is for real. His game is phenomenal!  If he stays healthy, Alcaraz  will be the new king of tennis.
I still am not convinced regarding Swiatek. I think Halep runs her very close, probably winning. For me a small bet double on Halep and Alcaraz to win tournament/s. 

What I like to see in players is improvement. A player who has worked hard on an aspect of their game. For example Tauson and Rybakina need to get fitter, and move better on the court. Sabalenka and Badosa need to make their serve better, and more consistent. Halep needs to be more proactive and aggressive, and take a few more chances. Berrettini needs to make his backhand stronger, and get away from his (limited) slice. Tiafoe needs more focus. Everyone should be trying to improve.
I see Sakkari really serving well. She is serving close to the best of her life. The serve has pop and snap, which is not easy to do, when you are not that tall. It's definitely going through the air quicker. She actually demolished Rybakina. After being down 1-4 after a slow start she won the set 7-5 (or 6-1) , and rolled over her opponent easily.
I have not seen Alcaraz hit the ball like he did against Norrie. Have not seen Halep hit the groundstrokes that hard, with so much aggression. Haven't seen Sakkari serve anything close to what she is doing now. It's impressive, and you need to adjust your betting accordingly. 
On the flip side you ask yourself "has Rubalev  or Fritz improved their games?" . I don't really think so. Can't see much different now, to how they played 6 months ago. 
 

Woke up early and caught some of the Alcaraz v Norrie match. Norrie really didn't play badly. Seemed to suffer a slight hip-flexor/ groin strain but Alcaraz was just dynamic. His movement was insane, and he hit Norrie off the court constantly. I cannot see Nadal beating him. The improvements in his game are unbelievable, and the hype is for real. His game is phenomenal!  If he stays healthy, Alcaraz  will be the new king of tennis.
I still am not convinced regarding Swiatek. I think Halep runs her very close, probably winning. For me a small bet double on Halep and Alcaraz to win tournament/s. 

I think there is almost nothing between them. Swiatek likes the slower surface, but I have not seen Halep play this well in years. She is moving incredibly well, and hitting the ball with power. Maybe having no coach is helping her. She has figured out her own game and what she wants to do. For me the winner of the tourn comes from these two.
Fritz could easily lose to Kecmanovic, who is playing well  ... it looks like a breakout period for him. Fritz was sailing close to the wind with de Minaur, and he may tip over here. Lost his serve quite a few times, and if that serve is not working properly he is in some trouble. I expected Cilic to beat Kecmanovic, and Fritz could be a very similar challenge.
I think you cannot forget the match where Kyrigos tried to hit Nadal with a ball. Regardless of what Nadal says, I'm pretty sure the last thing he wants to do is lose to Kyrigos. Pretty sure he hasn't forgotten that stuff, and revenge is sweet, and best served on the court. I expect a full focused Nadal to blitz him. 

I don't mind Kyrigos. I like talent. It's so liquid and immeasurable. I also get his attitude to endless travel, flights, taxi's, strange cities, weird beds and bad nights sleep. After a while it really doesn't matter if it's 5 star or 3 star. Most would like to be home. Sleep in own bed, rummage in the fridge, hang out with friends, walk around naked (in your own house), goof off, use your own toilet. And tennis is just a brutal 11 month repetitive process.  After a while things look and feel the same, and everything tastes like chicken!
 

I think there is almost nothing between them. Swiatek likes the slower surface, but I have not seen Halep play this well in years. She is moving incredibly well, and hitting the ball with power. Maybe having no coach is helping her. She has figured out her own game and what she wants to do. For me the winner of the tourn comes from these two.
Fritz could easily lose to Kecmanovic, who is playing well  ... it looks like a breakout period for him. Fritz was sailing close to the wind with de Minaur, and he may tip over here. Lost his serve quite a few times, and if that serve is not working properly he is in some trouble. I expected Cilic to beat Kecmanovic, and Fritz could be a very similar challenge.
I think you cannot forget the match where Kyrigos tried to hit Nadal with a ball. Regardless of what Nadal says, I'm pretty sure the last thing he wants to do is lose to Kyrigos. Pretty sure he hasn't forgotten that stuff, and revenge is sweet, and best served on the court. I expect a full focused Nadal to blitz him. 

I think there is almost nothing between them. Swiatek likes the slower surface, but I have not seen Halep play this well in years. She is moving incredibly well, and hitting the ball with power. Maybe having no coach is helping her. She has figured out her own game and what she wants to do. For me the winner of the tourn comes from these two.
Fritz could easily lose to Kecmanovic, who is playing well  ... it looks like a breakout period for him. Fritz was sailing close to the wind with de Minaur, and he may tip over here. Lost his serve quite a few times, and if that serve is not working properly he is in some trouble. I expected Cilic to beat Kecmanovic, and Fritz could be a very similar challenge.
I think you cannot forget the match where Kyrigos tried to hit Nadal with a ball. Regardless of what Nadal says, I'm pretty sure the last thing he wants to do is lose to Kyrigos. Pretty sure he hasn't forgotten that stuff, and revenge is sweet, and best served on the court. I expect a full focused Nadal to blitz him. 

Thanks for that, I had not updated my database so didn't get that result in yet.

I think Halep is playing as well as she can. SHe was very good against Cirstea ... best I've seen her play for some time. Hit the ball exceptionally well, and I would hesitate to go against her.

LOL, again Sakkari winning and the opponent quits. 
Very hard to make a case against any of the favorites on the woman's side. Swiatek, 4 matches all won after losing the 1st set. I thought Halep played very well yesterday. Definitely more proactive and aggressive. Hit the ball well. If I had to go for 1 upset it would be Rybakina over Sakkari. Rybakina serving very very well, and when she plays like this, her whole game gets a huge boost and lift. Would be going over 21.5 games here.
In the men's there are lots of close matches.  I think Brooksby beats Norrie. Just playing great tennis, with lots of confidence, but Norrie is a tricky customer.  The problem for Norrie is that Brooksby is returning the ball particularly well. 6-3 6-2 over Tsitsipas, 6-0 6-3 Khachanov, 6-1  6-4 Carballes Baena suggest a guy that is breaking serve and dominating. I don't think the Norrie serve can survive the onslaught.
For me, ALcaraz v Monfils, with a price of 3.3 to 10 on Alcaraz is ridiculous. Monfils handled Medvedev very well, and Medvedev is a far tougher customer than Alcaraz. I would be going Monfils here, or the over 21.5 games. This will be a close, hard fought match.
I do like Fritz over de Minaur. For me de Minaur is like a super lightweight fighting a heavyweight. He can land blows, but they are more annoying than hurtful. He just doesn't have the weapons to get enough free points, to win this type of match up. Perfect for Fritz here, who should win behind his dominating, repetitive serve.
For me most of the other games are just a lottery.  Again, picking 1 upset, I would probably go for Hurkacz over Rublev, simply because he has beaten him the last 2 times they have played.
 
 

LOL, again Sakkari winning and the opponent quits. 
Very hard to make a case against any of the favorites on the woman's side. Swiatek, 4 matches all won after losing the 1st set. I thought Halep played very well yesterday. Definitely more proactive and aggressive. Hit the ball well. If I had to go for 1 upset it would be Rybakina over Sakkari. Rybakina serving very very well, and when she plays like this, her whole game gets a huge boost and lift. Would be going over 21.5 games here.
In the men's there are lots of close matches.  I think Brooksby beats Norrie. Just playing great tennis, with lots of confidence, but Norrie is a tricky customer.  The problem for Norrie is that Brooksby is returning the ball particularly well. 6-3 6-2 over Tsitsipas, 6-0 6-3 Khachanov, 6-1  6-4 Carballes Baena suggest a guy that is breaking serve and dominating. I don't think the Norrie serve can survive the onslaught.
For me, ALcaraz v Monfils, with a price of 3.3 to 10 on Alcaraz is ridiculous. Monfils handled Medvedev very well, and Medvedev is a far tougher customer than Alcaraz. I would be going Monfils here, or the over 21.5 games. This will be a close, hard fought match.
I do like Fritz over de Minaur. For me de Minaur is like a super lightweight fighting a heavyweight. He can land blows, but they are more annoying than hurtful. He just doesn't have the weapons to get enough free points, to win this type of match up. Perfect for Fritz here, who should win behind his dominating, repetitive serve.
For me most of the other games are just a lottery.  Again, picking 1 upset, I would probably go for Hurkacz over Rublev, simply because he has beaten him the last 2 times they have played.
 
 

If I was Darren Cahill I would be ashamed of myself. Given a Rolls Royce and drove it like a VW beetle. Halep has always had unbelievable athletic ability, but has been scared to play 1 strike tennis.  For years she has played with the wrong tactics, and could have achieved so much more. To really be able to win big, you have to not be scared to lose, and Halep has been way to conservative. Too late to change now,
This game will be decided by how well CIrstea returns. Halep could be under tremendous serve pressure.