February 18 - February 24

[CzechPunter]

Here you go :ok.

[Torque]

Re: February 18 - February 24 A few outrights from me. Back Agnieszka Radwanska to win WTA Dubai Duty Free Championships @ 11.50 Betfair I backed Radwanska last week in Doha, and she did what was expected of her by reaching the semi-final. She was knocked out by Azarenka, a player she doesn't have a very good record against, and so she will probably be pleased that Azarenka is in the other half of the draw this week. I think she has a good chance of making at least the semi-final here, as she beat Ivanovic last week and Kvitova remains inconsistent. She might then play Serena Williams, and although she has a losing record against her, I think Radwanska might take encouragement from the fact that Azarenka was able to snap a long losing streak of her own against Williams in the Doha final. Having won this tournament last year, Radwanska might even think she can beat Azarenka if they were to meet in the final of this tournament. Back Michael Llodra to win ATP Open 13 @ 65.00 Betfair I think this is a big price for Llodra on home soil and in conditions that he excels in. He is a very accomplished player indoors in France, and if he is able to win his first match against an out of form Goffin, he would then play Del Potro. He beat Del Potro the last time they met, which was indoors in Paris at the end of last season. In addition, Del Potro comes into this tournament having won the title last week in Rotterdam, and although he won this tournament last year he might not be entirely focussed this week. If Llodra is able to beat Del Potro, he might still have to beat Tsonga to reach the final, and although he doesn't have a good record against him, Tsonga had a poor loss against Sijsling in his first match in Rotterdam last week and so might be vulnerable this week. If Llodra is able to make the final, he might face Tipsarevic or Berdych. He beat Tipsarevic a couple of weeks ago in Montpellier, and Berdych has only played a couple of Davis Cup rubbers since the Australian Open. All things considered, and even though a lot of things would need to fall into place, I think Llodra could be a dark horse this week. Back Albert Montanes to win ATP Copa Claro @ 65.00 Betfair I think Montanes is worth a small stake in this tournament. He is a very experienced clay court player, and has been in reasonable form during the last couple of tournaments. He has been drawn to play Andujar in his first round match this week, and he should be confident of success as he beat him only last week in Sao Paulo. He would then face Sousa or Delbonis, and I would favour him to progress to the next round as he has greater nous than either player in my opinion. If he makes the quarter-final he should face Almagro, who he has a good record against and who he beat the last time they met on clay several years ago. I thought Almagro was disappointing last week in Sao Paulo, and I think he is still too inconsistent and that Montanes could beat him if he plays well and Almagro has a bad day. Wawrinka would be a possible semi-final opponent, but this is his first clay court event of the season and that could catch him out. In the top half of the draw, Ferrer is the big favourite and he is also expected to win the title. Like Wawrinka though, this is his first clay court tournament of the season and although I don't expect it to affect him, something else to consider is that he hasn't played at all since the Australian Open. For a number of different reasons, I don't like anyone at the top of the market and I think Montanes could go well in Buenos Aires. Back Benjamin Becker to win ATP U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships @ 85.00 Betfair I like the look of Becker this week, albeit at long odds. He's been on the wrong end of a few three set matches so far this season, but he looks to be playing quite well overall. He beat Harrison in the first round in San Jose before losing to Istomin, and he opens up in this tournament against Lopez, who is badly out of form. If he can find a way to win that match, he would play either Haas or Donskoy. Haas has just reached the final in San Jose and isn't getting any younger, and so could be tired, whilst Donskoy lost his first match in San Jose to Pospisil. If Becker were to get to the quarter-final, he would probably play Raonic, and although he lost to him in this tournament last year he has beaten him before. A possible semi-final opponent would be Isner, but he has been less than convincing so far this season. In the top half of the draw, Cilic and Querrey might make it to the final, but Becker has beaten them both in the past. I'm the first to say this is unlikely to come in, but I think that Becker is in decent nick and the price on him is too high.