Getting these up again because I tend to forget when these Far East ones start during prime time.
[Tokyo] Tipsarevic -155
Replay of last week on an indoor surface. Simon has owned the head-2-head numbers, but reasons to like Mr.T tonight. #1, Simon was really struggling in the final last week against Gasquet in Bangkok with a knee issue. Reports indicate he wasn't fully certain how he'd do or if he'd go until he got some practice time in Tokyo. There is a chance perhaps that Simon doesn't even take the court here, but let's proceed as if he will go. #2, he played inspired last week with his coach in attendance for the final time as the two parted ways prior to the tournament and it was kind of a Swan Song moment for the two. With that emotion gone, desire could be questionable this week. Tipsarevic should have the added motivation from losing last week and let's not forget we are getting to crunch time to finish in the Top 8 for the Tour Finals. Mr.T is sitting in 9th, well behind Del Potro by about 700 points. Probably far fetched that he could catch him, but it's still three weeks to go. Injuries potentially could yield him a replacement spot too if Delpo's wrist is an issue, so staying in 9th is something he should be striving for at the least.
[Tokyo] Dimitrov +135
Dimitrov draws last week's Kuala Lumpur champion in Monaco. Monaco put together a nice string of results on indoor hard courts to end 2011 and picked up in the same spot this year. He shifts to outdoor tennis though in Tokyo. The surface has not been as kind to him outside of a suprise week in Miami this past Spring. Dimitrov comes through qualis which gives him the slight edge on conditions. Monaco has played here before and lost in the opening round two straight years. This isn't the best surface for Dimitrov, but given qualis + Monaco with a potential hangover from last week & the surface switch .. I'll take Mr.Disappointment for $100 Alex.
[Tokyo] Tipsarevic -155
Replay of last week on an indoor surface. Simon has owned the head-2-head numbers, but reasons to like Mr.T tonight. #1, Simon was really struggling in the final last week against Gasquet in Bangkok with a knee issue. Reports indicate he wasn't fully certain how he'd do or if he'd go until he got some practice time in Tokyo. There is a chance perhaps that Simon doesn't even take the court here, but let's proceed as if he will go. #2, he played inspired last week with his coach in attendance for the final time as the two parted ways prior to the tournament and it was kind of a Swan Song moment for the two. With that emotion gone, desire could be questionable this week. Tipsarevic should have the added motivation from losing last week and let's not forget we are getting to crunch time to finish in the Top 8 for the Tour Finals. Mr.T is sitting in 9th, well behind Del Potro by about 700 points. Probably far fetched that he could catch him, but it's still three weeks to go. Injuries potentially could yield him a replacement spot too if Delpo's wrist is an issue, so staying in 9th is something he should be striving for at the least.
[Tokyo] Dimitrov +135
Dimitrov draws last week's Kuala Lumpur champion in Monaco. Monaco put together a nice string of results on indoor hard courts to end 2011 and picked up in the same spot this year. He shifts to outdoor tennis though in Tokyo. The surface has not been as kind to him outside of a suprise week in Miami this past Spring. Dimitrov comes through qualis which gives him the slight edge on conditions. Monaco has played here before and lost in the opening round two straight years. This isn't the best surface for Dimitrov, but given qualis + Monaco with a potential hangover from last week & the surface switch .. I'll take Mr.Disappointment for $100 Alex.
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