Wimbledon Round 2

del Potro, Juan Martin 2.71 vs HEWITT, LLEYTON 1.58 – Del Porto very short with bookies on opening prices and that would be based upon his potential to perform on grass, not his actual results. As we know Dicky Knee has a solid grass court record, however he’s had a lot of injury concerns of late and although the media and himself are playing down the hip concerns of last week I have heard all that rubbish before – what you would be punting on here is Dicky Knee’s fitness against someone who has the potential to perform well on grass even though they haven’t – Del Potro being knocked out in R2 his only two tries, Wawrinka 76(5),63,75 last year and Federer 62,75,61 in 2007. Should be interesting and I hate to say it (as I hate cheering for him) but I may try Mr New Idea.

PETZSCHNER, PHILIPP 2.92 vs Zverev, Michael 1.52 – Two Germans Petzschner with a very poor 9 wins and 17 losses record against lefties on the Main and Challenger tours. I normally don’t punt when fellow countrymen are playing but the early 1.64 available Zverev is very tempting – although his withdrawal from ‘s-Hertogenbosch last week against Llodra is a concern as is his career record of 8 wins 11 loss record on grass.

STEPANEK, RADEK 1.03 vs STARACE, POTITO 33.33 – I don’t bet on matches where Starace is playing.

Fognini, Fabio 23.51 vs FERRER, DAVID 1.04 – Fognini getting through as a result of Istomin’s retirement – can’t see him making round three as his game is just not suited to grass. Having said that, I watched Ferrer play Navarro-Pastor last week and he was ordinary (could have been a forced ordinariness though as a Slam was looming).

CRIVOI, VICTOR 4.8 vs DAVYDENKO, NIKOLA 1.26 – Davy a lot shorter in opening markets but should win easily.

MATHIEU, PAUL-HENRI 3.2 vs BERDYCH, TOMAS 1.45 – Two blokes who could be better but just aren’t (amazing how the stuff between the ears plays an important role). Whatever result happens here it wouldn’t surprise me (a five setter going 10-8 in 5th or a 60,60,60 win to one of the participants – either way I’d not be shocked).

MELZER, JURGEN 3.69 vs BECKER, BENJAMIN 1.37 – Becker 16 wins and 9 losses to lefties, Melzer the type of bloke who can pull out decent wins on these quicker surfaces. Becker a bit of value but did play 7 tough matches last week to lift the ‘s-Hertogenbosch trophy and fatigue may set in – if you really really really want a punt you could back Becker – I’ll probably wait it out.

KUNITCIN, IGOR 33.33 vs RODDICK, ANDY 1.03 – Yankee easily

Gulbis, Ernests 33.33 vs MURRAY, ANDREW 1.03 – Looks like Gulbis will continue the year without winning two in a row.

Troicki, Viktor 1.23 vs Gimeno, Daniel 5.42 – Gimeno surprising me by beating Dent in five sets over two days (although Dent losing a match doesn’t really surprise me), Troicki with a straight sets win over Dabul . Expect Troicki to win but the 1.16 currently on offer is a tad short – He’s no Federer.

VASSALLO-ARGUELLO, MARTIN 13.36 vs WAWRINKA, STANISLAS 1.08 – Opening prices similar to mine and why take silly prices blokes like Wawrinka?

Levine, Jesse 1.23 vs Cuevas, Pablo 5.29 – Both through qualies. Cuevas beating Decoud and de Heart before losing to Taylor Dent in four (got into the draw as a lucky loser when Monfils pulled out). Levine beating Groth, Kindlmann and Bachinger. Cuevas made Round two here by beating Christophe Rochus 11-9 in the fifth (match took three hours and 3 minutes) and Levine made it by beating a disinterested Safin in four sets. Cuevas 10 wins and 13 losses to lefties on the main and Challenger tours. I expect Levine to win due to his better lead in form, less exertion on day one and the fact he’s a lefty with those out wide easy service points.

GONZALEZ, FERNANDO 1.05 vs Mayer, Leonardo 21.15 – Gonzo easily and in all reality the 1.24 on offer early is not too bad a price. Mayer may have won 60,60,63 over Hernandez but the Spaniard really didn’t turn up.

FERRERO, JUAN 1.6 vs SANTORO, FABRICE 2.66 – Prices put up today pretty much mirror what I think, can’t convincingly tip anyone here.

DEVILDER, NICOLAS 2.28 vs HANESCU, VICTOR 1.78 – Hanescu a lot shorter than my price in opening markets and he did play to 12-10 in the fifth against Navarro (over four hours and 11 minutes) – Devilder took 3 hours and 42 minutes to beat Lapentti 7-5 in the 5th. Who backs up better – both maintained healthy serve stats throughout so no pointers on that front? May take Devilder just because the value on offer.


Simon, Gilles 1.03 vs ALVES, THIAGO 33.33- Alves through qualies beat Silva and Kamke before losing to Peya, got a spot in the draw when Nadal pulled out and then took full advantage by beating Pavel in 5. Reality is Simon wins easily.

Players who like multis at short prices could try Ferrer, Roddick, Murray, Gonzo and Simon. Players who like value could try Hewitt, Levine and Devilder. Me? Dunno yet.

Cheers

Tony