For tonight – 12.00 starts first. More to follow:
ATP
Haase-Ljubcic
Going to oppose the Lube for small stakes. This is a square of between two fairly similar players with Lube being a more refined version of Haase. Both have big serves and both are fairly immobile. Lube has the big match experience that should see him through but I still think the Croat is a force in decline and for smalls takes I’m backing the Dutchman.
0.25 units Haase @ 4.10
Kendrick-Delic
These two challenge tour regulars have met 7 times and Delic holds a significant 5-2 advanatge and has won the last 4. On hardcourt they are tied 1 apiece> Delic has also played qualifying (through 3 in straight sets). Kendrick did end 2007 very strongly with two challenge wins and a final appearance while Delic struggled badly in the second half of 2007. Both men boast very similar Slam records (stumles at qualifying level usual) and while Kendricks lack of play since November is worrying he still looks too long here.
0.75 Units Kendrick @ 2.64
Sirianni-Tipsarevic
Sirianni at the ripe old age of 32 made his first ATP SF in Adelaide before going out to the eventual winner Llodra. He has been playing mainly futures in Australia and doubles but seems bullish coming into this if his press conferences are to be believed. Tipsarevic has been struggling with injuries and illnesses and will surely suffer from a lcak of preaparttion for this. Sirianni probably won’t have enough to win this but his decent serve should keep him close and with a hometown crowd behind him this looks an ideal match to trade.
0.75 Units SIrianni @ 3.00
WTA
Fernandez-Cornet
Fernandez is a former French Open SF whose career has been ruined by injury. She is currently on her 3rd or 4th comeback. She is actually on a decent run having finshed 2007. This is her first start of 2007 and she faces Cornet (junior French open Champion) who played only one match in 2008 which was a thrashing by Savchuk . Cornet finished 2007 going backwards and at the prices I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Frenandez can pull a mini shock.
0.50 Units Fernandez @ 3.50
Peng-Klebynova
This looks a bit of a mismatch to me. Peng has some decent results on this surface and won the Watsons Water Challenge in Hong Kong last week. The young Russian has the benefit of 3 qualifying matches but the Chinese looks far too experienced here. I’d price her around 1.50 maximum for this so the
Betfair price looks big to me.
2 Units Peng @ 1.60
Wozniki-Dulko
Dulko looks vulnerable here as she has scatched from her last two matchs with leg and ankle problems. Woznikai made the junior final here in 2006 and played creditably enough in Hong Kong to suggest that she can avail of Dulko’s fitness problems.
1.25 units Wozniaki @ 1.92