Bets 100; Won 70; Lost 30
Units Staked: 97 units; Won 16.27 units; ROI 16.7%

A poor evening with two losses. Pierce was well supported in the betting and fought back in the second set but just wasn't good enough on the day. Shaughnessy was generally outclassed.


Mauresmo v Petrova
Berlin: QF

Wrote about these two yesterday so won't repeat it here. Mauresmo's 101/30 record speaks for itself and after a very nervous start yesterday (trailed 0:4 first set), she went on to wipe Razzano off the court 6:4 6:2. There's a lot of ranking places and serious prize money up for grabs this week so I expect the top players like Mauresmo to be very focused. If she's on her game - and there's no reason to think she won't be - then Petrova faces a real struggle.

Mauresmo $1.36 @ Ladbrokes
(Early line)


Kuznetsova v Schydner
Berlin: QF

Kuznetsova has been in great form over the past few weeks, displaying her power game in Warsaw and her determination in Berlin. Martinez really puched her yesterday in a close 3 setter, but Conchita is no mug on clay and her game is very difficult to counter. As a comparison, Kuznetsova beat Clijsters in Warsaw (2:6 6:2 6:3) while Schydner beat Clijsters yesterday after Kim self-destructed and then retired. Schydner was trailing 6:7 1:5 and saved 4 match points before Clijsters for some obscure reason, totally collapsed. Both Kuznetsova and Schydner are solid clay players but the Russian is in better form and is far more mentally stable than Schydner who, like quite a few of the players on tour, can throw in really shocking peformances. Kuznetsova is right on the value line but I'll take the bet.

Kuznetsova $1.33 @ Will Hills
(Early Line)


NOTE: I still believe there's some value in Mauresmo outright around the $4.50 mark at Betfair. Her next two opponents will be Petrova and probably Bovina both of whom are very beatable on clay. In the top half of the draw, Henin plays Sharapova today which eliminates one of them so Mauresmo's price will certainly come in after tonight's game . . . should she win. Personally I'd only recommend this bet if you're able to lay back your stake at Betfair if needed should Mauresmo make the final. It will surely help our cause if Henin wins tonight.