Tennis 12-18 May (Men: Hamburg Masters, Women: Roma)

[rcgills]

I'm going against you to varying degrees on the 2 early games, Engineer. Verdasco actually has a very good H2h with Ferrer, 3-3 overall, and 3-2 to Verdasco on clay. He's looked impressive this week and I think he's worth a shot against Ferrer who's just lost a bit of momentum of late.

And I've gone for 3 sets in the Tipsarevic game @ 2.6. Considered backing Montanes, but I'm not convinced he can win it. Don't like Tipsarevic at all though, good player, but mentally I don't think he's ready for the top level, and he's certainly not a player I ever trust to the extent I could bet on him.

Good luck though Engineer

[engineer]

Safin - Moya

The h2h is closely tied at 3:3, with Moya leading 2:1 on clay. Safin found form, but I think Moya will be able to repeat his successful run from the last year and for me he's the favourite against Safin. He has some difficulties to hold his serves and will be put under fire by the Russian, but eventually may set his style and make Safin nervous. At odds against I'd like to take Moya to reach the quarters.

Moya @2.26 - 2.5 pts

[engineer]

Cheers, RC, Ferrer and Verdasko playing a marathon 1st game and Tipsa suffering a fast break, maybe he'll have to make it the hard way again

Good luck to you also

[engineer]

A 15 minutes first game between the two Spaniards

I believe it will be the same way during the whole match.
Hope it will end before the night

[engineer]

Davydenko - Kiefer
I'd like Kiefer to win it, but don't believe that could happen, really. I'll give that one a miss.

Murray - Nadal
I really want to see a close game here and hope Murray won't fall apart like he did several times already. If he puts Nadal's fitness to the test he may nick something from that match. Also an elimination of Nadal will boost others odds for the outright win.
Like Martens said - a game to watch.

[rcgills]

FFS, 8 break points missed for Verdasco, and after 11 deuces, Ferrer finally ends up holding serve

I'd be quite happy for Tipsarevic to do it the hard way. Montanes can win the first set, Tipsarevic the next 2 and we're both happy

I'm with you on Karlovic, think he can keep it close. Have gone for small stakes (0.5pts) laying Djokovic, and also with over 21.5 games at 1.833 (4pts) - can't see Djokovic getting too many breaks, and something like a 7-5 6-4 would do for me there.

Gone with 3 sets in Moya v Safin too @ 2.3 - I've no idea who's going to win it, but I think it's going to be a very close match.

[engineer]

Verdasko got his break after all, but I'm not that concerned still. We'll have many of these, probably

[engineer]

In the ladies' event:

Bartoli to beat Schnyder @2.32 - 2pts

Kirilenko to beat Jankovic @4.3 - 0.75 pts

Cornet to beat Kuznetsova @3.30 - awesome value - 4.5 pts from me

Interesting whether Pironkova has something in the sleeve to face Azarenka. To be honest I see the Belarussian as a reasonable favourite, but will wait to see what's gonna happen there. If forced to bet would go for Azarenka 2:0 @evens or higher.

[rcgills]

Forgot to mention before, one down side I can see to opposing Djokovic is that he's got the interest of knowing he can move up to no. 2 in the rankings if he gets further than Nadal here in this tournament. Not sure whether that's high on his list of priorities, but it'd certainly be a boost going into Roland Garros potentially as second seed.

Anyway, onto the women's games:

Jankovic 2-0 v Kirilenko @ 1.72 - 4pts. These two met last week in Berlin and Jankovic took it comfortably. Since then Kirilenko has had 2 tough 3-setters in this tournament against Petrova (match time 2h36, albeit spread over 2 days due to rain) and Medina Garrigues (match time 3h05). Jankovic meanwhile blew away Pennetta in 1h05 in her only game so far.

Am with you on Bartoli.

Tempted by Cornet too, but Kuznetsova has points to defend here as runner-up last year, so she shouldn't lack motivation here. Price on Cornet just a bit too short for me in that case, although I'll keep an eye on it in-running.

Am waiting for handicap prices to come out for Wozniacki v Sharapova, as I'll very likely be on something in that game too.

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by rcgills

I'd be quite happy for Tipsarevic to do it the hard way. Montanes can win the first set, Tipsarevic the next 2 and we're both happy

Or he could lose the first set before capitulating in the 2nd, proving me right with what I said and yet still not winning me my bet

[frank69]

Hi friends,

What do you think of Radwanska against Chakvetadze? the Russian player is not in great form and yesterdayshe has won a match with a lot of difficulties.

[Toadface]

Things not looking good for Ferrer! 3 nil down in the second set!

whats happening, anyone watching the match?

[Toadface]

My bets are going down the pan!

Ferrer now 4 - 1 down in the second set

and Monaco hammered 6 - 0 in the first set!!!!


pray for a come back in both games!

Lets see it!!!!

[Toadface]

Ferrer need sto break serve this game!!!!

come on!!!!!!!

[Toadface]

5 - 2 to Verdasco!

someone tell the fat lady she is on in 5!!!

game over!!!