SF stage at Mettz and Stuttgart – going on an a dog backing spree here. Bark dogs bark
Petrova-Jankovic
The never ending roadshow goes on for Janokovic – 91 and not out in singles alone this year which is more than any other player in the top 100 and will surely be something that will have an effect next year (Davydenko being a case in point nin the ATP). She lost the first against Peer yesterday and by the third set was being treated for leg cramps. Petrova has long running injury issues of her own and she is a poor mover but if she can hang in on her service games she might run this one very close.
1 Unit Petrova @ 2.90
Kuznestsova-Williams
The h to h is 2-0 but Kuzenstova has IMO been improving and Venus standing still to some extent since their last meetings. The Russian had an excellent US Open run and was in great Davis Cup form last week. She is a relative mental midget next to Williams but the price reflects that I think. Should be tighter than the prices suggest.
1 Unit Kuznestova @ 2.60
Canas - Korolev
Korolev playing some decent tennis this week although his serving is a bizarre mixture of dfs and aces. Canas has been solid from the baseline has usual but his serving is patchy. I’d give Canas a huge edge here in experience – Korolev is improving fast (4 of his 6 ATP quarter finals are in 2007) but he lacks the bit of nous to beat top 20 players regularly (he is W1 L5 in those QFs – Canas has won 3 of his 4 ATP QFs (beating Robredo, Calleri and Simon) and his career record of W24 L10 at this stage is very very good. Experience and solidity from the baseline to tell as Korolev’s serve comes under pressure.
2 Units Canas @ 1.51