Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

[Cramer]

Thought I would start a thread for the week, so many tournaments so left the names out:lol:ok

[Atko]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Brisbane - Carsten Ball vs Mischa Zverev: Ball at 2.60 Carsten Ball may be ranked 70 or so places beneath Zverev but there isn't that much of a difference between the two, especially when you factor in that the match is in Australia and on a hard court. Ball, who is Australian, showed last year by getting to the final of Los Angeles that he is effective on an outdoor hardcourt. He has a booming serve and also a fine forehand that can cause Zverev problems. I do like Zverev but I don't think a fast hard court is his best surface - he plays well on clay and indoors. He is technically a better player, with precision in his groundstrokes, but at the same time he may find himself blown off the court by Ball's power. Ball will also be buoyed by playing in front of his home crowd and I'm surprised to see him priced so high. Bet strength: 3/10 Brisbane - Marc Gicquel vs Philipp Petzchner: Petzchner at 2.10 Although Gicquel had a good tournament in the French exhibition a few months ago, he is an ageing player who may struggle in the heat of Brisbane. A big serve and forehand he may possess, but Petzchner, who himself can skelp a tennis ball, will have fitness on his side. There isn't an awful lot between these two players but I reckon the German, who is lower ranked but in my opinion the better player, has enough to win this one. Bet strength: 2/10 Hopman Cup - Tommy Robredo vs John Isner: Isner at 2.60 I'm astonished at the price here for Isner. Robredo is No.16 in the world, but Isner is in the top 35 and came on leaps and bounds last season. His preferred surface is an outdoor hard court, where his thumping serve will take the game out of Robredo's hands. The Spaniard can throw in the odd nightmare service match and Isner may be able to take advantage of that. There could easily be a tie-break here and that could play into Isner's hands, who is very much Ivo Karlovic in the way he rattles through service games. If Robredo plays to his maximum, he should win this, but as it's the first game of the season I can see him throwing in errors. Isner is worth a small bet. Bet strength: 1/10

[Cramer]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Just a quick point that Hopman Cup is actually indoors. Should help Isner and Robredo hates playing big servers, I might play that one myself.

[Atko]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

Just a quick point that Hopman Cup is actually indoors. Should help Isner and Robredo hates playing big servers' date=' I might play that one myself.[/quote'] Cheers Cramer :ok Didn't realise they played it indoors - bit strange considering the climate! Yes, that will help Isner. Robredo's a strange one. Does play well on a hard court but he's the sort of player who can go missing in the mind when playing a big server.

[Cramer]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

Sport	Tennis
Event	Tommy Robredo v John Isner
Selection	John Isner
Strength	10/10
Date	03/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	>Boylesports @ 2.60 (Back)
Reasoning	I think Isner is worth a chance here. I think he'll do well playing with Oudin and it's a good chance to get some wins in Australia - where he has had pretty much no success. Indoors these hard courts play pretty quick and he shouldn't struggle with the heat as he surely will at the Aussie Open. Robredo is a better player but would prefer slower conditions and admits he doesn't like playing big servers. Isner can certainly keep this close and is a nice price.

Sport	Tennis
Event	Alicia Molik v Ekaterina Makarova
Selection	Alicia Molik
Strength	10/10
Date	03/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	Skybet @ 1.83 (Back)
Reasoning	Molik is on the comeback and this will be a really big match for her, to probably set up a second round meeting with Clkijsters. It's her first proper WTA tournament, late last year she was playing the Aussie circuit and had a 28-4 record against players mostly ranked around 200-400. Now I'm sure she will have been preparing really hard for this part of the season in particular and I think she can play well. Makarova had a very poor second half of 2009 barely winning a match since the summer, and not sure how well she will be playing here. It's obviously a risk taking Molik, but I'd have here closer to 1.66.

[Atko]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Brisbane - Tournament winner: Radek Stepanek at 5.00 EW The Czech won this tournament last year and generally starts a new season well. He is perhaps in the harder part of the draw, with Gael Monfils and Jeremy Chardy potential opponents, but in these conditions I feel Stepanek is able to beat them all. Andy Roddick is who he may meet in the final and that's why cover is so important, but I can see the No.14 having a good stab at this tournament and is worth backing. Bet strength: 0.5pts EW

[heret0win]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January life savings bet; Stephanek 2-0 Roddick 2-0 @ 1.78 gl

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January heret0win:that seems like a good bet but what firm did u get that price at??

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January hello one and all!!!its that time of year again!!!the tennis is back!!!!and that can only mean one thing.......SMEG IS BACK!!!!back from my extened vacation in barbados 2 bring 2 u all my thoughts and tips 4 d comin tennis season!! some very interesting matches on the cards for the next two days and the following few posts will contain my analysis and possible tips!! bare in mind, i'm very weary that its the start of the season with no real form and very little inside knowledge 2 go by...but sure we'll have a go 4 the crack!!!

[RocknRolla]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

life savings bet; Stephanek 2-0 Roddick 2-0 @ 1.78 gl

:unsure life savings bet and no reasoning behind it!

heret0win:that seems like a good bet

Don't think so, as the season have just started and he's staking his live savings :( Good luck with that double, by the way :hope

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January rajeev ram to beat de bakker at evens with boyles!!!

[marron]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

rajeev ram to beat de bakker at evens with boyles!!!

Why???

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January well my thinkin behind it is as follows: de bakker is a little over-rated i think!he won a 4 challenger events at the back end of last season but was playing against modest competition!! (defeated ascione,riba and krajinovic in 3 of the finals) and he won them all on clay courts! he did in fairness beat monfils in d davis cup but i would suspect that gael just had an off day and tsonga took care of de bakker in the next match in 4 sets which is still respectable!but apart from that he has no real scalps against tier one opposition especially not on hard court!! rajeev ram won a tier one event last year in newport event on grass beating sam querrey in the final!!he's also had some promising results in d us hard court season!!ram is a very aggressive player,he likes 2 rush the net and mix his play up!!de bakker is a solid but pretty one dimensional base line player and i think will be unsettled by rams aggressive unconventional style which in fairness can be his down fall if he's not firin on all cylinders!if its tight...id possibly would pick de bakker to play the ****** points well!!but i reckon ram will just ahve 2 much aggression and variety 4 him!!

[Cramer]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

Sport	Tennis
Event	Jeremy Chardy v Alejandro Falla
Selection	Jeremy Chardy
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	>Betfair @ 1.56 (Back)
Reasoning	Chardy looks solid here. He struggled towards the end of last year and was struggling with injry during the French Masters thing. But, having had a little break he should be refreshed. He played pretty well in Australia last year and I think he'll do OK this year. Falla is very average, sometimes he shows up indoors or on grass with his lefty serve but apart from that he's poor. He's nowhere near the level of Chardy, he's never done much in Australia and I can't see him winning this.

Sport	Tennis
Event	Thomasz Belucci v Juan Ignacio Chela
Selection	Thomasz Belucci
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	Pinnacle Sports @ 1.81 (Back)
Reasoning	To be fair to him, Chela finished last year pretty well. But since the US Open he just stayed on clay in South America, and I can't see him having any success outside of there. His movement these days seems so limited, and the youngster should be too strong. Belucci is a player I like, he hasn't done too much on hardcourts, but he has a good game for it. Anyway, against a clay courter like Chela he should like the match up and be too good.

Sport	Tennis
Event	Ana Ivanovic v Jelena Dokic
Selection	Jelena Dokic
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	>Betfred @ 2.50 (Back)
Reasoning	Dokic in Australia is very dangerous, and I can see her having a great run again, either here or at the Aussie. She struggled after the Australian last year, but did finish the year very well winning 2 ITF tournaments and reaching the final of another. Ivanovic had a lot of problems last year, and without major injuries she managed to really fall from the top of the game. Not sure if she's got it back together and looks opposable until she plays some good matches. Basically these are two uncontrollable ball bashers, and just see who plays better.

[IAmGooner]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Tennis is back!!.....:clap Time to win some cash, soccer is letting me down right now but tennis is always kinder. Been watching closely over recent weeks so time to check the cards for the next day.

[Cramer]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

Sport	Tennis
Event	Hopman Cup: Great Britain v Kazakhstan
Selection	Kazakhstan
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	>William Hill @ 3.25 (Back)
Reasoning	This one is really interesting. Not sure how seriously Murray will be taking this, but still assume he beats Golubev. I like Shvedova, she's a really strong player, and she should be far too strong for young Robson. So fully expect this to come down to the doubles. Murray has admitted he isn't very good at mixed, and hasn't play it much. Robson too hasn't played much doubles, and I'd imagine they've played very like together. Only I'm not sure how well they will gel, and I can see Robson putting in a pretty nervy performance. Golubev and Shvedova are both reasonable doubles players, and they've definately played more together. They had to win a qualifying tournament to get into the Hopman Cup, and I see them making a surprise in this match.

[marron]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Not really took Tennis seriously before when it comes to betting but wanting to change that as i love watching and playing the sport. So, when better to do it than at the start of a new year and the start of a new season. Just had a quick look on Paddy Power at the matches before i search for better odds elsewhere and noticed Richard Gasquet is 1/2 to beat Jarkko Nieminen which to me looks quite generous. Everyone knows about his past stories but now he is back he will surely climb up the rankings from his current position at number 52 in the world. His backhand is up there with the best in my opinion and if he performs how he should, for a player with his ability, he will surely be a top 20 player before long. Nieminen has always struck me as a journeyman player - far too good for challengers he has played in but always getting knocked out in the last 32/16 of competitions. The fact there has been a long break could be a factor but my view is that should both players come out and play good games, Gasquet should have the ammunition to win the match. What do you guys think?

[RocknRolla]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Absolutely agree with you on Kazakhstan, Cramer. Shvedova should have too much for Robson(1w-2l in doubles), same as Murray for Golubev, so doubles match will be decisive imo and there's pure value in Kazakhstan @ 3,25 also available with bet365. Kazakhstan pair has better experience in doubles so it wouldn't be surprise if they win this :hope (4/10) for me!

[Cramer]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

What do you guys think?

I agree with what you've said, but to look on Nieminens side, I think he's a solid top 40 player. He was ill for quite a while last year, struggling early in the year then missing 4 months. He finished the year well in challengers and usually does well in this part of the season. H2H is 3-1 to Gasquet, and he should be favourite, but I choose to leave this match alone.

[IAmGooner]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Have to take some of the Tipsarevic price.... Bet 1 Tipsarevic to beat Moya @ 4/9 Moya returning from long lay-off to play Chennai. Good tournament for him in the past but surely not at that level now.Tipsarevic is a tricky guy to back, inconsistent but had some good results back end of last year in Moscow and Vienna. I tend to pick my moments with a player like Tipsarevic and think this is good chance to cash in. Bet 2 Tipsarevic x Chuidinelli @ approx 11/10 Will double up Tipsarevic with Chuidinelli here versus Italian Lorenzi.Watched him a few times, basically a challenger player....mostly on clay from what I can remember.Chuidinelli had some good results back end of the year and is fairly competent hard court player. Hope he brings some of that form into the new year......he also beat Lorenzi twice on hard last year.

[IAmGooner]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Other thoughts: I'm tempted to go with Chakvetadze over Date-Krumm aswell but the latters form at the end of last year is putting me off. Surely she cannot maintain that, Chakvetadze is a player I like. Hear she has been working hard to get back near the top again.Might pass on this. So many good matches. Bellucci as Cramer pointed out is another I like. Improving his all-court game last year, Chela is losing his powers. Clijsters on the handicap for Tuesday against Molik may be worth a look too. Will wait for a price on that. GL!

[marron]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Although i know Chela is primarily a clay court player, i didnt realise his hard court record was so average with no titles and not much better than a 50% win rate. Lost 26 indoor matches winning only 13. Shall be having a bit of that i think......

[Cramer]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

Sport	Tennis
Event	Bjorn Phau v Santiago Giraldo
Selection	Bjorn Phau
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	Pinnacle Sports @ 1.98 (Back)
Reasoning	I definately favour Phau in this match, and I'm surprised his price is so high. He's got a nice game but sometimes plays awful. But these pretty quick courts should suit him, and it shows as he has a solid record in this tournament. Giraldo is more of a clay court challenger player, and despite his decent serve I expect a Phau victory.

Sport	Tennis
Event	Rajeev Ram v Thiemo de Bakker
Selection	Rajeev Ram
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	>Boylesports @ 2.00 (Back)
Reasoning	I quite like the look of Ram at evens. De Bakker did some good stuff last year but mostly on clay and he probably won't like these quick courts. Ram will like the speed of the courts and he's played here a few times, although in the past he's always been in qualifying. He's done OK considering he was ranked around 200 those years and now should be looking to make an impression in the main draw. I think he has some Indian heritage (not being racist if I'm wrong!) so should be motivated to play well and take care of de Bakker.

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January i like petrovic to beat vania king at 10-11 with powers! petrovic really developed in2 a nice player last year...she won a wta tier one event and took some big scalps with her including the sometimes disinterested svetlana kuznetsova!!vania king rarely puts together back 2 back victories and she's been around a while without ever really doing anything on d tour!petrovic has infinitely more potential and i'm very surprised that she's underdog here!! tip...petrovic to beat king 10-11 with paddy powers!

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January baczinsky looks a very inviting bet at 8-11 against kudraytseva...but timea tends be quite rusty after long lay offs and usually needs a lot of match practice b4 she starts hittin her best form!! alla has good results in qualifyin 2 !could b a 3 setter with timea having a mare of a first set! i think gallovits is worth a small punt against julia schruff who doesnt win many main draw tier one matches these days!v surprised gallovits is underdog....ipt win gallovits 10-11 powers! belluci at 8-11 is v temptin but i think ill leave him!

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January just a further point on gallovits...she seems 2 like playin in australia as she hasa reached the second round of the aussie open the past 2 years! and she's well above schruff in d rankings and though she's a clay court specialist she had some decent results on hard court last year!

[smegmaniac]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January finally good accumulator material are roddick, dolgopolov, chardy and chuidinelli i reckon! big favourites worth avoiding are niculescu,youzny,vesnina and mayb even rezai!

[christiano]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

Tip Detail

Sport	Tennis
Event	Brisbane WTA
Selection	Henin
Strength	10/10
Date	10/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	Eurobet @ 4.33 (Back)
Reasoning	Nice odds on Henin to take her first title after her break from tennis.Her only threat in this one is Clijsters imo.Many times we've seen great comeback and I hope this will be one of them.Henin is surely capable of doing this.

Tip Detail

Sport	Tennis
Event	Henin - Petrova
Selection	Henin
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	Eurobet @ 1.36 (Back)
Reasoning	Henin is back on tour and she seems to be in good form.She played some exhibition matches in december and she looked good and fully fit.Her shots were also great.She managed to beat Pennetta and Petrova who she will be playing today.Against Petrova she has 10:2 record.Henin is back and she is hungry for wins again.

[IAmGooner]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January Want to see Henin in action first, but an on-form Justine would wipe the floor with Petrova. I still haven't forgiven Petrova for the US Open defeat to Oudin after being so comfortable first set....:wall....will watch this one I think.

[Cramer]

Re: Tennis: 3rd - 10th January

Sport	Tennis
Event	Mikhail Youzhny v Sergiy Stakhovsky
Selection	Sergiy Stakhovsky
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	>Boylesports @ 4.00 (Back)
Reasoning	Stakhovsky is a player I really like, and this prices looks too big. Both got great backhands in this match and I think we'll see a lot of slice backhand exchanges, and it should develop into a match that will suit Stakhovsky's style. He finished last year excellently winning St Petersberg after coming through qualifying and confidence should be high for the start of this season. I also remember he play well in Doha last year, even against Murray that match was close for a while when Murray was on top of his game. Youzhny struggled for parts of last year, but the 2nd hlaf of the year he found some good form again. He's the better player but not the most reliable, so I think this price is too high.

Sport	Tennis
Event	Ivo Karlovic v Fabio Fognini
Selection	Fabio Fognini
Strength	10/10
Date	04/01/2010
Bookmaker/Price	Skybet @ 3.00 (Back)
Reasoning	I'd rather it was somebody else, but Fognini has drawn Karlovic and I want to oppose the big guy. Karlovic was plain bad towards the end of last season, really struggling to get a result. He is also 0-2 in Doha, including a dreadful loss to C Rochus. I can understand why he struggles here, as matches are at night, usually cold and sometimes windy. Not the conditions for a serving machine. Also first tournament of the year, and Karlovic usually takes some time to get into the rythem. Fognini is average, especially on hard courts, but I want to oppose Karlovic and I'd have Fognini around 2.60 for this.

That lot should do me for the day, probably too many bets but I just got excited looking at the Tennis coupon:lol:nana