So inspired by Madcappers good work, here are my thoughts for Thursday tennis.
Order of play for Thursday can be found here:
It is basically a day with real huge favorites, at least if you look at the odds. The key will be to find possible upsets, although im not strange to betting on clay favorites, odds on the matches just seem to short today.
Ferrer - Tipsarevic: Ferrer probably one of the biggest fighters on tour, coming off a fresh title win in Valencia. Tipsarevic is showing great form this year, and surprisingly for some, he won against Mathieu. Still Ferrer big favorite to win, but odds just too short to back.
Almagro - ANDREEV: Here is probably one of the best matches to go against the favorite. I expekted Almagro to go out early this tournament because of fatigue, but he still won against Lisnard and Monaco that withdrew due to injury. Andreev has the weapons to take out Almagro, and the russians game really suits clay. These players have met five times, Andreev winning 3. Always tight matches, huge value in Andreev. SO ANDREEV IS THE BET.
KOHLSCHREIBER - Davydenko: Kohlschreiber with a strong 2-0 victory over Acasuso in 1st round, and the German nr 1 is always hard to beat. Davydenko has been under lot of pressure to to match fixing allegations, but has been cleaned but still will be under observation. The russian is probably the guy who plays most matches during a year (sort of like Kafelnikov did, and he was also under observation), and normally go far in tournaments. But he retired last week in the final against Federer, and even though he states he should be ok, you never know. Kohlschreiber is 2-1 h2h, and won last year in Davis cup on clay after a thrilling match (7-6(5) 2-6 2-6 6-4 5-7) I think KOHLSCHREIBER is worth a shot.
Ferrero - Nadal: Incredible price on Ferrero who years ago was the master of clay. But now he meets the new master. No reason to oppose Nadal..The guy is almost impossible to beat on this surface.
Federer - MONFILS: Always fun to watch Monfils, puts so much into his game. Amazing winners, and amazing serve. Federer was way out yesterday against Hidalgo, and was lucky to go through after 3rd set tiebreak. Federer has not found his game this year, and made many unforced errors today. And clay is probably his weakest surface, and probably he will never win the French open. They met earlier this year in Miami, but that was not clay. Monfils had like 7 breakpoints, converting none..Federer was 2/2. Clay should favor MOnfils more. Lets go for a major upset, MONFILS.
Robredo - Nalbandian: Staying away from this match. Robredo is starting to find some form, but Nalbandian in Masters/grand slam is to be counted in. For some reason, he always performs well in bigger tournaments.
Djokovic - MURRAY: Murray hired Corretja (clay legend) to improve his clay game, and so far it paid off, impressive wins especially against clay specialist Volandri and Lopez. Djokovic looked pretty uncomfortable against Ljubicic, knowing it was his first clay match of the campaign, you understand why. Still, the surface is tricky for probably the new nr 1. He is 3-0 h2h against Murray, but all on clay. This could be MURRAYs chance.
Querrey - Gasquet: Nobody expekted Querrey to be here. Beating Moya and Seppi, you have to be impressed. The big serving american who actually once served 10 consecutive aces, has been the surprise package so far on this surface. Gasquet easily beat Vliegen today, and the surface suits him. The Frenchman has not really come through so far this season, but met good opposition. He is always dangerous on clay, and although Im tempted to go with Querrey that has been impressive, this is a whole different game..and Gasquet should probably win.
See you at the courts
Order of play for Thursday can be found here:
It is basically a day with real huge favorites, at least if you look at the odds. The key will be to find possible upsets, although im not strange to betting on clay favorites, odds on the matches just seem to short today.
Ferrer - Tipsarevic: Ferrer probably one of the biggest fighters on tour, coming off a fresh title win in Valencia. Tipsarevic is showing great form this year, and surprisingly for some, he won against Mathieu. Still Ferrer big favorite to win, but odds just too short to back.
Almagro - ANDREEV: Here is probably one of the best matches to go against the favorite. I expekted Almagro to go out early this tournament because of fatigue, but he still won against Lisnard and Monaco that withdrew due to injury. Andreev has the weapons to take out Almagro, and the russians game really suits clay. These players have met five times, Andreev winning 3. Always tight matches, huge value in Andreev. SO ANDREEV IS THE BET.
KOHLSCHREIBER - Davydenko: Kohlschreiber with a strong 2-0 victory over Acasuso in 1st round, and the German nr 1 is always hard to beat. Davydenko has been under lot of pressure to to match fixing allegations, but has been cleaned but still will be under observation. The russian is probably the guy who plays most matches during a year (sort of like Kafelnikov did, and he was also under observation), and normally go far in tournaments. But he retired last week in the final against Federer, and even though he states he should be ok, you never know. Kohlschreiber is 2-1 h2h, and won last year in Davis cup on clay after a thrilling match (7-6(5) 2-6 2-6 6-4 5-7) I think KOHLSCHREIBER is worth a shot.
Ferrero - Nadal: Incredible price on Ferrero who years ago was the master of clay. But now he meets the new master. No reason to oppose Nadal..The guy is almost impossible to beat on this surface.
Federer - MONFILS: Always fun to watch Monfils, puts so much into his game. Amazing winners, and amazing serve. Federer was way out yesterday against Hidalgo, and was lucky to go through after 3rd set tiebreak. Federer has not found his game this year, and made many unforced errors today. And clay is probably his weakest surface, and probably he will never win the French open. They met earlier this year in Miami, but that was not clay. Monfils had like 7 breakpoints, converting none..Federer was 2/2. Clay should favor MOnfils more. Lets go for a major upset, MONFILS.
Robredo - Nalbandian: Staying away from this match. Robredo is starting to find some form, but Nalbandian in Masters/grand slam is to be counted in. For some reason, he always performs well in bigger tournaments.
Djokovic - MURRAY: Murray hired Corretja (clay legend) to improve his clay game, and so far it paid off, impressive wins especially against clay specialist Volandri and Lopez. Djokovic looked pretty uncomfortable against Ljubicic, knowing it was his first clay match of the campaign, you understand why. Still, the surface is tricky for probably the new nr 1. He is 3-0 h2h against Murray, but all on clay. This could be MURRAYs chance.
Querrey - Gasquet: Nobody expekted Querrey to be here. Beating Moya and Seppi, you have to be impressed. The big serving american who actually once served 10 consecutive aces, has been the surprise package so far on this surface. Gasquet easily beat Vliegen today, and the surface suits him. The Frenchman has not really come through so far this season, but met good opposition. He is always dangerous on clay, and although Im tempted to go with Querrey that has been impressive, this is a whole different game..and Gasquet should probably win.
See you at the courts
