Australian Open Picks

[knowledge]

Sanguinetti, Davide to bt Nieminen, Jarko

Llodra, Michael to bt Grosjean, Sebastian

Carlsen, Kenneth to bt Kohlschreiber, Philipp

Henri Mathieu, Paul to bt Carraz, Gregory

Hrbaty, Dominik to bt Soderling, Robin

Gaudio, Gaston to bt Gimelstob, Justin

Patience, Olivier to bt Schuettler, Rainer

Tabara, Michal to bt Enqvist, Thomas

[sparkus8]

Whatever you pick today add Ljubicic to beat Horna at $1.25. He is in good form and should have too many weapons for Horna.

If you are looking for some value you might want to try Sanguinetti to beat Nieminen at $2.45+ and Kiefer over Rochus at $1.70.

I am going to chuck all of those 3 in together in a multi for a dividend of $5.20.

[knowledge]

Chela is amazing value to beat Hewitt. The truth is there isn't much between these players but bookies want to make Lleyton as short as possible and as u know, the shorter priced the favourite, the bigger priced the underdog. And 5/1 is too much to turn down on Chela. This should be 1.50-Lleyton/2.40-Chela but bookies are tightasses.


Back Juan Ignacio Chela.

and Federer is too good, he will win so take the 1.50 on offer for him to win this slam.

[sparkus8]

You are right about Chela mate.

I also think Kohlschreiber is a special to beat Lisnard who has played two very long matches so far this tournament. I think the match is about to start, but if you have time try and get on!!

[knowledge]

damn i missed out. :(

i will follow the scores of it though.

[sparkus8]

Well Kohlschreiber is home, I will be backing up on Schiavone over Dechy which starts after the Kohly v Lisnard match finishes.

The two women played 3 times last year with Schiavone winning in straights sets each time. I've got her at $1.65 and I think that is pretty good value.

[sparkus8]

Well I hope noone else is on Schiavone, she is playing like a busted ass at the moment - doesn't look like holding her own serve!

[knowledge]

female players are as reliable as tim henman. :D

[Dirk Gently]

I'm backing chela as well, Pat Rafter said today that the center court surface is really slow, and that won't suit hewitt. It'll be a nice consolation prize if we lose the last Aussie bloke in the tournament (singles anyway). BTW, watch woodbridge get the sh--s when the crowd start going for Navratalova!

[Sportz]

Yeah, ridiculous odds on Hewitt when he always chokes around this stage at the Australian Open. I agree Chela shouldn't have been any more than about 3 or 4 dollars.

[Sportz]

Hewitt leading 2 sets to one and a break. If he wins, he'll come up against Nadal. Will be interesting to see the odds on that one.

[knowledge]

well Chela didn't win but he represented value, none the less.

[haveadip]

An interesting bet type could be how many COME ONS Lleyton screams in the 1st set. lol

[Sportz]

Some people say that's annoying. Maybe. Personally, I think it's nowhere near as annoying as those players who grunt or squeal when they hit EVERY SINGLE SHOT!!!

[Jack Daniels]

A great win by Hewitt last night. Chela could be in some strife for spitting in Hewitt's direction. Not nice!

Hewitt's matchup with Nadal should see him at better odds.

As for the sheila's grunting and squeling, it irks me too. I would be annoyed if I where rooting one of them (Sharapova) and she didn't squeal like that. :p

Today I have taken:

Federer 3-0
Agassi 3-0
Hrbaty Win
Sharapova 2-0
Mauresmo 2-0

[Sportz]

What odds did you guys get on Nadal today? He's looking okay at the moment.

[Chuck]

I'm very happy indeed right now, cos i not only backed him to win the tournament, but also put moderate bets on him and Davydenko to win the tournament, and also backed them in each of their matches!

[Sportz]

Hmmm, Hewitt fighting back. Geez, he's a fighter.

[Sportz]

Well, there you go. I must admit I thought he was gone. Always dangerous to think like that when it's Hewitt.

[knowledge]

I feel sorry for Hewitt because he tries so hard and beats so many good players but when he reaches Federer he just hits a brick wall. Poor guy.

[Sportz]

He's not alone there though.

Interesting that in all 4 Grand Slam tournaments last year, Hewitt was knocked out by the eventual winner.

[Sportz]

:o Sorry, I'm too late with this tip, but I thought Kuznetsova had a good chance against Sharapova today and should have been favourite.

[Betsy]

I like Hrbaty this arvo against Safin, showed good form prior to AO at the Hopman Cup and seems to have carried it through the minor rounds in week 1

I also think Federer at 1.20 is well worth it - i havent seen a price like that for federer in a while in a hd to hd, although agassi took him to five sets at flushing meadows i think feds should have too much variety for the ever consistant agassi

Today i took:

Federer
x
Hrbaty

Federer
x
Kuznetsova

and Federer just straight out

I'm a bit concerned about Kuznetsova though it seems sharapova is starting to break her with more and more ease - but Kusnetsova is up a set

[knowledge]

I think beauty will outdo the beast.

[Betsy]

Yeah her game has fallen apart in the second set, lets just hope she doesnt drop the bundle completely in the third

[Sportz]

Yeah, I think I might have got this one wrong. I'd love to see Maria win today actually but I thought her form had not been good enough and Kuznetsova had been impressive in the earlier rounds.

[discipline pays]

sharapova is a slow starter, i backed both players @ 3.80/4.00 respectively in 3 sets. could make decent profits backing in sharapovas matches this way

[Sportz]

Yeah, I think that's three 3-setters in a row where she's lost the 1st set. She's a bit like Hewitt in her ability to guts it out and come back. You would have thought that Kuznetsova could hold ONE of her last 8 service games though!!!

[moeee]

I think beauty will outdo the beast.

Is the beast the one making those shocking animal sounds?
Hopefully someone puts it out of its misery in the near future.

[rabbitz]

:o Sorry, I'm too late with this tip, but I thought Kuznetsova had a good chance against Sharapova today and should have been favourite.
I wish Kutz was favourite then we would have cleaned up on sharapova
she wont be favourite against williams,how bad are those shorts,looks like shes got a basketball stuck down the back
cheers

[knowledge]

Federer is having no problems against Agassi. The man is just unstoppable.

[Sportz]

Who was it that said instead of taking $2 Federer a month or so ago, you should just go all-up on him in every match? I'm not totally sure of his odds in each match, but I think so far, that'd be something like 1.01 x 1.02 x 1.02 x 1.02 x 1.20. That's a grand total of $1.29 so far. With 2 matches after this one, you'd be really struggling to reach that $2!!!

[knowledge]

i took 7-10 which i thought was good. i wish id taken evens though.

[Sportz]

I thought $2 was good value. He's looking good, but he still has to win 2 more and you never know.

[haveadip]

I got the double of Serena-Roger when it was at 6.5, post injuries. Before all the big names pulled out i think it was at 8s. Now sitting pretty with good odds of both getting up. Sharapova and Davenport the main dangers on the womans side of the draw.

[Sportz]

Yeah, I got the same price, but I only had a very small bet, because I was't nearly as confident about Williams as Federer. If they both make the final, I could perhaps have a saver or something. I reckon it'll probably be Federer v Roddick and Williams v Davenport.

I wish Molik was playing Dechy or Schnyder today. I reckon she'd beat either of those two, but I think Davenport might be just too good for her.

[knowledge]

I think Molik could beat Sharapova.

[Sportz]

I reckon there's only two players left that Molik will struggle against and that's Davenport and Williams and she's probably going to have to beat both of them to win the tournament. I'd love to see a Molik/Sharapova final, but unfortunately, I can't see it happening.

[Jack Daniels]

The way Molik has been playing hasn't been too bad. And her matches in this tournament reflect that.

She has won every match so far (obviously), but after watching her match against Venus Williams the other night. She will need to perform much better to beat Davenport, although Venus had a few bad calls go her way during that match.

I think she realises the step up she must take to beat Davenport and if she gets some of those close calls go her way instead of against her in this upcomming match I think she can beat Davenport. Crowd support will be an advantage to her too.

Molik 2-0. (fingers crossed).

As for Hewitt's match I think he should be able to overcome Nalbandian, I'll be looking closely at the Hewit 3-1 set betting option.

Come On !!!

[Betsy]

Bloody Hell, how bad have the line calls been

[Jack Daniels]

I agree Betsy, as I said earlier if she gets some of the bad calls go her way instead of against her she will be a big chance.

3rd set she was down 8-7 playing to win the game serves an ACE only to be called out. The set should have went to 8-8.

:mad: Bloody linesperson cost her a chance at winning this tourny. :mad:

NOT HAPPY JAN !!!

Hewitt Vs Nalbandian (so far so good Hewitt takes the first set 6-3) :D

[knowledge]

what happened to Hewitt in the 3rd set?? He's 4-0 down. is he injured?

[Jack Daniels]

Dunno what he was doing as I have been flicking between cricket, tennis and basketball.

Hewitt up 2 sets to 1.

But Nalbandian is fighting back and leads the 4th set 3-2 on serve.

Hewitt seems to have his back against the wall again. :(

[Sportz]

Yeah, after he won the first 2 sets, I just assumed he'd go on and win the match, so I haven't been listening to the radio or anything. (can't watch it live on TV up here. good work Ch7)

[knowledge]

he made it tough for himself but eventually pulled through 10-8 in final set.

I advise you definitely BACK AGAINST him in the SF's. This will have a brutal effect on his body with such a short break before his next match.

[sparkus8]

He doesn't have to play til friday night i think so he will be able to rest all of tomorrow and then most of the day on Friday.

Roddick should be the favourite, but if you saw the way Hewitt dismantled Roddick last year at the Masters Cup you wouldn't be to confident of the American winning. Have to wait and see what the prices are though.

[knowledge]

I probably wont bet on roddick actually because hewitt has been known to pull through.

that doesnt mean I dont think Roddick will win. :)

with anyone else's money I'd pile on the American.

[knowledge]

yesterday Roddick played 26 games.
Hewitt played 51.. almost exact;y twice as many. Roddick would be much shorter priced if bookies considered the players' physical states.

[Sportz]

But he is. Roddick's around $1.55 or something. The bookies and punters have obviously taken all that stuff into account because Hewitt's price to win the tournament has actually gone out after he won. Weird.

[knowledge]

if u ask me anyone who bets against Federer is nuts.

no offence to u if u did..

[Sportz]

Personally, I took Federer at $2, but the more that you and others are saying he's such a good thing, the more I'm getting worried. :o

[knowledge]

lol when are you going to realise that what people like me say doesn't impact the result one iota. :)

[Sportz]

I'm just kidding. :)

But it's amazing how often these 'good things' get beaten.

[Sportz]

Well, Sharapova's really thrown it away today. She served for the match in the second set and got broken and ended up losing the set. Then she served for the match again in the 3rd set and got broken again. Just like yesterday's match, I backed the winner today but I'm disappointed with the result. I would have loved a Molik/Sharapova final and it could so easily have happened.

[knowledge]

damn thats a shame

i like sharapova

[Betsy]

Well theres a first time for everything!!

First time in my life ive ever cheered serena on, although she's easy on the eyes sharapovas oncourt antics and grunting etc has suddenly (this summer of tennis) started getting on my nerves

Im happy to see Serena battle it out and come out with a hard fought win after last years problems..!

[Sportz]

I don't care who she's playing against, I could NEVER cheer for Serena Williams. AND I BET ON HER!!!

[Sportz]

Federer's got a real struggle on his hands tonight by the looks of it.

[knowledge]

hold ur horses.

[Sportz]

What did I tell ya?

Well, it just proves once again there aint no such thing as a good thing. It also proves you should stick to your rules. I wouldn't normally think of backing anybody at $2 to win a Grand Slam tournament, but I thought this was different. I thought $2 looked okay for Federer. Anyway, I certainly didn't have a huge bet on so I'm not that worried. If Serena wins, I'll still end up with handy profit thanks to my single match bets which have gone okay.

I think it will be good for Mens Tennis to have someone different holding up the trophy on Sunday. By the way, what was the highest price on Safin during the tournament? Around $7 or something? Anybody that backed him will be laughing, because now they can just wait to see who wins tonight and have a saver.

[Floydyboy]

Hey Sportz I think we'll call you Quincy your always doing a post mortem (boom boom)
Seiously though folks
I layed "the big 2" Federer & Roddick @1.38 against the field (tournament winner)couldnt resist only having to pay out only a third of my stake if i lost so you know who ill be cheering on tonight .....Cmonnnnn!!!! ....I was tempted to back the Safin last night but thought Id leave well enough alone ..........Hes done half the job for me and hope LLLLLLLeyton can do the rest tonight so I dont have to sit out the final

CMONNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sportz]

Yeah, thanks a lot. :o

Floydy, I must admit I still struggle to understand that sort of bet. What does it actually mean? What do you win if Roddick loses and what happens if he wins?

[Betsy]

What a top match! Federer had his chances all the way through the last two sets so no excuses can be made. Glad i didnt take federer to win the grand slam (AO being the most unpredictable), however i put him in my multi's in each round so therefore when he lost last night it didnt leave a dent at all in my starting balance

[Sportz]

Yeah, a really great match. One of the best.

By the way, for the people in southern states, is it true that Channel 7 left the Davenport/Dechy semi-final half way through to go to the news? If so, it just shows how little respect they have for Womens Tennis. They'd never think of leaving a Mens semi-final. In fact, I think they probably left the womens match so that they could show the Federer/Safin match from the start.

[Floydyboy]

The bet is (either federer or roddick to win tourney) @1.38 against the field......... but in reverse (I layed them at that price) they (betfair)often have those bets the big 2 or the big 3 eg "woods and singh" against the field .
So if neither of them win the tournament I win ......Cmonnnnnnnnnnn

[Floydyboy]

In saying that I had a small bet on Feder not to win 3-0 against Agassi

I wouldnt have liked to have beeen standing in between those two last night what an exhibition of power tennis toe to toe punch for punch ..Great match

[Floydyboy]

CMONNNNNNNN

[knowledge]

I'm glad Hewitt won.

Safin vs Hewitt
first swt score - I'm backing Safin 7-6 and Hewitt 7-6. I just think it will be tie breaker. and if it is i can celebrate at 6-6 knowing that i'm sure of profit. then i can just support hewitt

[Floydyboy]

Safin 1.69- Hewitt 2.42 ...at B/F
anyone have opinions
I like hewitt at the price but the jurys still out as to wether ill have a bet or not

[Sportz]

When can we expect the jury to return a verdict? :)

[Floydyboy]

after I absorb some informed opinions disect them and make a decision but obviously prior to kick off ........ I like the tip of the day Idea though Im thinking along the lines of having some sort of bet on the tennis maybe a set bet I dont think 3-0 is an option in either direction I think Hewiit will win at least 2 sets

[knowledge]

maaate.. safin will win. he beat federer he will beat hewitt. the sad truth.

[Floydyboy]

nothin sad about that ...... I think itll be a bottler......just lookin for dare i say it a bit of value

[Floydyboy]

The jury has returned

Safin v Hewitt-Hewitt +1.5sets 1.65
In cojunction with...............
A. Aachen v Ahlen-.Aachen-1.55
Oldham v Bolton-Bolton-1.70
Werder v Hansa-.werder.HT/FT-1.90

Total Odds.....8.26

[Sportz]

Well, I must admit Hewitt lost me last night. He was doing so well for 2 sets and 3 games, playing well and keeping in control. Then he had to spoil it with ridiculous behaviour. He'd just played a glorious shot to win a great point and then he ended it by pointing at that linesman who had correctly called him for foot-faulting the previous point. Disgraceful. And it didn't help his game in any way at all. After getting the code violation, his game went right off and Safin won easily. Good performance by Safin to win and after having beaten Federer, he deserved it. As per usual, the semi-finals were far better than the final. By the way, I also thought it wasn't a good omen for Hewitt having the Great White Choker in the stands supporting him!!! :D

I had a small bet on Williams pre-tournament and I backed Safin yesterday. In the end I made a profit but not as much as if Federer had won. I'm glad someone else won it this time though. It would become boring if he won everything.

[rabbitz]

hewitt and bec cartwright are engaged,and i thought he would be on the couch,i hope she didnt say yes because she felt sorry for him.My Hewitt-Sharapova double at 28-1 got a bit of a run
O n another note I reckon Australia lost the cricket last night to make it hard for the west indies to make the finals,I think they are scared now the windies are coming good
cheers

[Sportz]

Rabbitz,

There's just one slight flaw in your little conspiracy theory. Last night's result didn't actually make any difference, unless the last game is washed out. The winner of that final game between Pakistan and the Windies will play Australia in the finals, and that's exactly how it would have been even if Australia had won last night.

[rabbitz]

Rabbitz,

There's just one slight flaw in your little conspiracy theory. Last night's result didn't actually make any difference, unless the last game is washed out. The winner of that final game between Pakistan and the Windies will play Australia in the finals, and that's exactly how it would have been even if Australia had won last night.

Your such a party pooper sportzzzzzzz still reckon there scared
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!