liquidglass

I'm not sure that Stricker has what it takes to beat Cilic, but I can add that I saw Stricker twice in his run in Lugano and he was outplaying better-ranked opponents with ease (I saw him against Sugita and Sachko). A real talent I'd say. Obviously that means he can be a bit hit-or-miss, but he definitely has the game to beat Cilic if the Croat underperforms as he's used to doing now. Basically, my take on the match is that you take Stricker in some capacity or stay away.

Cilic Vs Stricker
Cilic is not in any kind of real form but classwise should be able to beat Stricker easily which really should be the default reasoning here - that is if you are too blind to notice the other hidden factors.. Cilic 4/3 on clay this year and Stricker 0/1. The question is who is this Stricker? Do not expect me to have an answer for you as I have only seen as much as you have probably seen about him. However there are some very import things that stand out about this match that I just cannot overlook. Stricker is only 18 and has a very impressive hard court record under him. He has only played the one match on clay yet the tournament organizers have deemed it fit to slot this match into the prime time slot. Most times they do this for reason. (Saving the best for last)This boy must have some real potential especially with the way the odds have moved in the last 2 days. Verdict: Stricker to win a set @ evens . Sprinkling a few euros on Stricker to win 3/1 is also strongly advised. Good luck!!!

I did not think that there was anything wrong with Thiem as you have pointed out. He just was not motivated enough and may have just used that as entry level practice. On the other hand Zverev seemed to have bought a new bottle of mustard for his game. The new level of aggression was well welcomed with the groans of defiance at times. I noticed that he was almost breaking down at one point with the Berretini constant pressure. I feel Berretini lost the game from not holding on one or two games further. I still believe with a bit of mental tenacity, Zverev takes the French open as well!. Thiem still has time to rise to the challenge ahead.

Marton Fucsovics (+1.5 sets) to beat Dominic Thiem at 2.09 with Pinnacle
As much as I like Thiem, I have to oppose him here in some capacity. Something looked wrong with him in his match against Zverev, not sure if it was physical or mental, but he didn't look good out there. Fucsovics has been on a rise lately and has an easy match under his belt here already, so he should have the initiative going into this one. He also has a lot of belief after some big wins in 2021. At odds against, I have to pick him to take a set.

I just think this tournament will kickstart a different part of the tennis calendar that will bring a few more new players into focus in line with their overall expectations . I do not care whether hard court or clay, I should be expecting more out of FAA at this time of the year looking ahead to a grand slam. He has played Schwartzman once in 2020 cologne indoors where Schwartzman won 6/4 5/7 6/4. He will know the Schwartzman game enough to move in for a surprise arrest. I think considering Schwartzman's current form FAA at 6/4 is a must play. I expect him to be clutch here and overpower Schwartzman in a straight exchange of firepower. Good luck

Should Ramos not be slapping up Rublev in Barcelona? +5.5 Ramos and the win @ 7/2 look good.. Ramos should be tired as well. But.........I think he has the better presence of mind. Barcelona and first meeting on clay strong factors.

Should Ramos not be slapping up Rublev in Barcelona? +5.5 Ramos and the win @ 7/2 look good.. Ramos should be tired as well. But.........I think he has the better presence of mind. Barcelona and first meeting on clay strong factors.

Should Ramos not be slapping up Rublev in Barcelona? +5.5 Ramos and the win @ 7/2 look good.. Ramos should be tired as well. But.........I think he has the better presence of mind. Barcelona and first meeting on clay strong factors.

You took a real easy one there. gl!!!

Barthel to beat Siegemund at 2.62 with bet365
Last one for tomorrow. I have been thinking a lot about this one and finally I have decided to take it cause the odds have raised. First of all, I have to say that Siegemund has reached the Final here 2 times (2016 and 2017). Despite that, there are some reasons that make me think she can lost tomorrow. She will play her first match on clay this year. Her last match played was 1 month ago against McHale in Miami, where she had to withdraw due to a knee injury. Barthel has already played 5 matches on clay this month. She has played the qualification in which she has won against Gracheva as the underdog (2.30). They played only once before. It was in 2011 in RG and Barthel won in straight sets. Siegemund is better player but considering that she has not played in the last month due to a knee injury I think the value is on Barthel, who has already played 5 matches on clay in April and she has beat Gracheva on her last match here.

These are typical no bets for anyone. You find that you will always end up picking the wrong one 90% of the time. That is just the way this game is especially if the pick is for betting purposes. Regardless of the h2h score at 4-0 Rublev. Ruud is the play here or no bet. I would not suggest win, I think the route should be alternative handicaps. I will go Ruud @+4.5 4/7. Boy tennis is such an organized mess these days. Nothing is easy with the bookies constantly in vulturic mode.

These are typical no bets for anyone. You find that you will always end up picking the wrong one 90% of the time. That is just the way this game is especially if the pick is for betting purposes. Regardless of the h2h score at 4-0 Rublev. Ruud is the play here or no bet. I would not suggest win, I think the route should be alternative handicaps. I will go Ruud @+4.5 4/7. Boy tennis is such an organized mess these days. Nothing is easy with the bookies constantly in vulturic mode.

I think that both underdogs have too big odds today, but only slightly so. Evans is on a run, that's always dangerous and I'd never feel comfortable backing Tsitsipas at 1.15 really. Rublev against Ruud can go all the way down to the wire and who's going to have more left in the tank? There's no doubt that Rublev is classier, but he also has two long matches in his legs and against opposition that he had to be at his best against. This is a dangerous spot for him imo. If I had to bet, I'd bet on Ruud either outright or to win a set.

Yeah, I mean the first thing is that they might not get to play today if the rain hangs around. Karatsev has upset potential for sure and Tsitsipas will get under pressure. He's the classier player and I'd probably even back him under different circumstances. It's his first match here, though, so Karatsev has the advantage on that front. I wouldn't be surprised by Karatsev winning the first set and then losing or something. If I had to back something, I'd look for backing Karatsev to win a set or cover some sort of a games handicap. 

I half agree with almost all you have said aside from the end where you make what i will consider a sweeping statement  "Alcaraz should beat Munar easily" (I wish tennis was that straightforward) I think your emotions are getting in the way here. Alcaraz is not really flying as such, that is if you consider beating Lopez and a rusty Ruud as demonstrable flight. Ruud was short of match practice and just appeared to get a couple of games under his belt for monte carlo so could not be used as any sort of gauge. This really is a local derby with Munar in my opinion having the best credentials to put forward in a bid for the title. Should be fascinating

I half agree with almost all you have said aside from the end where you make what i will consider a sweeping statement  "Alcaraz should beat Munar easily" (I wish tennis was that straightforward) I think your emotions are getting in the way here. Alcaraz is not really flying as such, that is if you consider beating Lopez and a rusty Ruud as demonstrable flight. Ruud was short of match practice and just appeared to get a couple of games under his belt for monte carlo so could not be used as any sort of gauge. This really is a local derby with Munar in my opinion having the best credentials to put forward in a bid for the title. Should be fascinating

It is definitely not random by any means. Beating in 2017 confirmed again in 2020 masters. They both play similar styles where I believe Agut will always have a decent chance against him on a good day. However I will be sticking to Medvedev with Agut carrying a handicap of number of games already played including the last 6sets in 2 matches.

It is definitely not random by any means. Beating in 2017 confirmed again in 2020 masters. They both play similar styles where I believe Agut will always have a decent chance against him on a good day. However I will be sticking to Medvedev with Agut carrying a handicap of number of games already played including the last 6sets in 2 matches.

I picked Seb Korda yesterday to beat Aslan Karatsev. Sorry for not posting it.

I think Sanders is way too fresh to be paraded at 9/2 against Pegula who should really be cooling off now after the amount of tennis already played. The WTA is so vast with talents now that most of the middle - top tier players focus on what part of the year to play well. So it is now not about who is better  (maybe to an extent yes) or who is the higher seed, It is more about who is most likely to play well at the current tournament looking back at their season. While Sanders may or may not win, the handicap is way off here @ +5.5 handicap 11/10? I  will certainly have some of that. Other players to watch who are in the groove are Stojanovic/Kalinskaya who should be very competitive.  They should both be listed as win/to win a set materials. Good luck all!

I guess right thinking would suggest Rybakina on the basis that Sorribes Tormo should finally be running out of steam having played all those matches. Rybakina herself has questionable form and it remains to be seen whether her victory over Kanepi was as good as the score suggested. I think Kanepi imploded from too many matches played as opposed to the thrashing. -2.5 will be deemed a sensible pick if Sorribes Turbo does not turn up. I strongly believe that Sorribes will ram up the turbo and really make this one messy for Rybakina even if she is to end up winning. I have been pondering over the clash of styles all day, Tormo hitting up and Rybakina hitting  flat and hard....and missing a few too. I would want to think that Sorribes has already beaten a mixture of players that would already cater for this type of player in Rybakina. Its so very close. Sorribes Turbo for me here!!

I guess right thinking would suggest Rybakina on the basis that Sorribes Tormo should finally be running out of steam having played all those matches. Rybakina herself has questionable form and it remains to be seen whether her victory over Kanepi was as good as the score suggested. I think Kanepi imploded from too many matches played as opposed to the thrashing. -2.5 will be deemed a sensible pick if Sorribes Turbo does not turn up. I strongly believe that Sorribes will ram up the turbo and really make this one messy for Rybakina even if she is to end up winning. I have been pondering over the clash of styles all day, Tormo hitting up and Rybakina hitting  flat and hard....and missing a few too. I would want to think that Sorribes has already beaten a mixture of players that would already cater for this type of player in Rybakina. Its so very close. Sorribes Turbo for me here!!

I guess right thinking would suggest Rybakina on the basis that Sorribes Tormo should finally be running out of steam having played all those matches. Rybakina herself has questionable form and it remains to be seen whether her victory over Kanepi was as good as the score suggested. I think Kanepi imploded from too many matches played as opposed to the thrashing. -2.5 will be deemed a sensible pick if Sorribes Turbo does not turn up. I strongly believe that Sorribes will ram up the turbo and really make this one messy for Rybakina even if she is to end up winning. I have been pondering over the clash of styles all day, Tormo hitting up and Rybakina hitting  flat and hard....and missing a few too. I would want to think that Sorribes has already beaten a mixture of players that would already cater for this type of player in Rybakina. Its so very close. Sorribes Turbo for me here!!

Kontaveit to beat Mertens at 2.59 with Pinnacle
I like Kontaveit odds for this match. The conditions here are really good for her. In the last edition of this tournament she reached the SFs. She has been playing well recently. In Doha she destroyed Brady (6-1, 6-2) and Kerber (6-1, 6-4), and lost in the QFs in a 3 set match against the winner of the tournament, Kvitova. In Dubai she won against Babos (6-2, 6-1) and Cirstea (6-4, 7-5), and lost against Sabalenka in 2 sets. In her first match here she has won against Cirstea in a 3 set match. Mertens' record this year is impressive (12-2) but IMO it doesn't reflect the realilty of her current form. In Dubai she struggled a lot against Tomova and she was destroyed by Pegula until the american player collapsed. Her match against Muchova in the AO was also really disappointing. I also remember her struggling a lot against Lin Zhu in her second match of the AO in which the first set was decided by a heartbreaking TB that Mertens could have lost. As I said, the conditions here are really good for Kontaveit and I also like the fact that Mertens has never won more than 1 match in any of the 3 times she has played here (2019,2018 and 2017).

Tsitsipas vs Dzumhur
Tsitsipas is one of the subjects of enquiry in this tournament as I continue to look for matches where players have just been priced on ranking and reputation alone. Tsitsipas in my opinion has played way too many matches compared to a fresh Dzumhur who looks eager and ready to swing. Also Tsitsipas has not been known to manage energy levels very well during matches ending up most times playing three sets when he should have played two, or suddenly losing court positioning during long rallies from playing too many flamboyant shots as opposed to sensible. I just cannot see him give Dzumhur a +5.5 start especially when you consider that he is 1-3 in the head to head department. Again, I will have some of that, thank you. Dzumhur +5.5 is the sensible bet here. H2H should still have a loud voice in this one. Good luck all!!!!