[Wittmann 44]

Good start to the week with both first day selections winning. Kiefer will be as pleased as I am with his come from a set down win against Tursonov who seemed to throw the towel in somewhat in the final set.

2.25 Units Stepanek @ 1.38 +0.81 Units
0.75 Units Lay Tursoonv @ 1.65 +1.10 Units

Lee-Wawrinka

Lee has been playing well since he got back on US hardcourts – (W7 L3 since mid July) and should be a lot more acclimatised than Wawrinka whose last match was a tank when defending his title on European clay in Umag. The 1.83 on Bet365which I snapped up is gone but he is just about value on Betfair at 1.72.

Lee 1.50 Units @ 1.83


Russell-Almagro

Almagro hates hardcourt – it is as simple as that. His overall record is W12 L17. Since 2003 he has only played in 13 hardcourt events and been beyond the first round in 4 – those wins were against players who hate the surface almost as much as him (Martin,Wawrinka,Pedrosa,). Russell a college star in the US had a tough time in Europe on the grass and clay circuit but back on familiar soil he is showing signs of recovery. 11 of his 13 hardcourt Challenge titles have been on hardcourt and all in North America or Canada. Will have too much interest for Almagro and is warmed up through the two qualifiers he played.

Russell 2.25 Units @ 1.71

Hewitt-Ferrero

Hewitt’s lack of play since Wimbeldon is a concern but the grapevine has it he has been training extensively with his new (and Fed’s ex) coach the Aussie Tony Roche. He leads the h to h 5-3 against Ferrero (4-1 on all hard) although the last match was in 2004 when Ferrero was a much better player than he is now. Hewitt has won in the US already this year and should have enough of the bulldog spirit to see off a fading Ferrero.

1.75 Units Hewitt @ 1.44

Polansky-Foggini

Polansky is a Canadian player who made the junior US Open finals in 2006 and has won a few minor events this year already. He made it here asa wildcard but he might be able to make things difficult for Foggini who isn’t known as a hardcourter (W8 L10). Polansky has beaten a few useful types on hardcourt (at Fogginis level useful anyway) so worth a small interest.

0.75 Units Polansky @ 2.60

Grosjean-Youznhy

Grosjean leads the h to h 4-0 here without the Russian getting a single set. The oldest of those is 2002 so not of as much weight as you’d think but I still view the Frenchman as being overpriced here. He is warmed up having ease dthrough two qualifying matchs and he has a much better record her ethan Youznhy who has been very poor in this event (when played in both Montreal and Toronto). I’m also not convinced the Russian has put his injury woes behind him. If he can lose to Darcis,Koubek and Peya on clay in recent times the stylish Grosjean must have a better chances than the odds imply here.

1 Unit Grosjean @ 2.56