Llodra -112 over Malisse
Llodra is 2-0 H2H, Malisse had to go through qualies but he's still not himself and looking for form. Plainly put, Malisse is beating up on cupcakes and failing against mid-level players, while Llodra beats up on lower/mid type players, and always loses to the bigger guns.
Querrey +115 over Kohlscriber
No doubt Kohl is a better player all around BUT hard courts are Querrey's forte.. he already beat Kohl in the US Open a few years ago. Add the fact that Kohl is severly injured and couldn't even get past the tune-up tourney last week, AND Querrey has already beaten him in the US open - Querrey is an easy pick.
Baghdatis -153 over Benneteau
Excuse me, many people are underrating Baghdatis here! Baghdatis might be on the comeback trail put if it's one thing about slams it's that the experienced players almost always win out. Baghdatis is back from injury and Benneteau is 2-0 on the H2H, but this is the Australian Open, not any smaller tourneys or on clay. Experience is with Baghdatis, and thank you for underestimating him. He should be a much bigger fav.
Nieminen -126 over Mathieu
This is probably the most interesting 1st rounder in the draw. Nieminen is on a roll and he's definitely improved on hard courts, although PHM is no mug either. He's beaten Gulbis, Nishikori, and Seppi but I'm going with the hot streak here in Jarkko Nieminen. If anything this will be a great 5 setter and the OVER is definitely another great option.
Hrbaty -150 over Isner
Big match experience will be into play. All signs point to the big hitting Isner doing his thing, although Hrbaty is finally back from wherever he was, winning the Hopman Cup and breezing through qualies. This will be a tight match most likely going into a few TBs, and you know purer tennis always prevails there. This will probably but the tournament that puts Hrbaty back on the map, and up the rankings again..
Ginepri +210 over Berdych
Screw you, I'd like to see an American except Roddick and Blake do well here. Ginepri definitely has the tools to make a great run here. Very good time to play against Berdych too since he has done horribly this year with one win against #248th ranked Brydon Klein. Both of these guys are very streaky and for me this is a toss-up, definitely have to take the value and the bigger potential in Ginepri.
Llodra is 2-0 H2H, Malisse had to go through qualies but he's still not himself and looking for form. Plainly put, Malisse is beating up on cupcakes and failing against mid-level players, while Llodra beats up on lower/mid type players, and always loses to the bigger guns.
Querrey +115 over Kohlscriber
No doubt Kohl is a better player all around BUT hard courts are Querrey's forte.. he already beat Kohl in the US Open a few years ago. Add the fact that Kohl is severly injured and couldn't even get past the tune-up tourney last week, AND Querrey has already beaten him in the US open - Querrey is an easy pick.
Baghdatis -153 over Benneteau
Excuse me, many people are underrating Baghdatis here! Baghdatis might be on the comeback trail put if it's one thing about slams it's that the experienced players almost always win out. Baghdatis is back from injury and Benneteau is 2-0 on the H2H, but this is the Australian Open, not any smaller tourneys or on clay. Experience is with Baghdatis, and thank you for underestimating him. He should be a much bigger fav.
Nieminen -126 over Mathieu
This is probably the most interesting 1st rounder in the draw. Nieminen is on a roll and he's definitely improved on hard courts, although PHM is no mug either. He's beaten Gulbis, Nishikori, and Seppi but I'm going with the hot streak here in Jarkko Nieminen. If anything this will be a great 5 setter and the OVER is definitely another great option.
Hrbaty -150 over Isner
Big match experience will be into play. All signs point to the big hitting Isner doing his thing, although Hrbaty is finally back from wherever he was, winning the Hopman Cup and breezing through qualies. This will be a tight match most likely going into a few TBs, and you know purer tennis always prevails there. This will probably but the tournament that puts Hrbaty back on the map, and up the rankings again..
Ginepri +210 over Berdych
Screw you, I'd like to see an American except Roddick and Blake do well here. Ginepri definitely has the tools to make a great run here. Very good time to play against Berdych too since he has done horribly this year with one win against #248th ranked Brydon Klein. Both of these guys are very streaky and for me this is a toss-up, definitely have to take the value and the bigger potential in Ginepri.
