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As a total deviation ... did Player's Talk finally eat itself? It's gone.
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Well that and the Saloon helped weed out a lot of garbage. Basically, PT always seemed to me to be a good garbage dump to keep the sub forums cleaner. Curious if it is just a mistake in code or something or if it's really going bye bye. IF it is, a lot of douche bags might leave here because PT was where they went to thump their dikks together.Comment -
it obviously had some function for guys with terribly-painful and chronic skin/orifice conditions that couldn't afford prescription treatments...i always pictured those perma-bitchy guys like SamDiamond to have some kinda anal-wart/shingles combination and barking at total strangers maybe kinda helps them transcdend their pain for a while...
have never seen such a chronically mean-spirited place in this world, real or virtual, as SBR's "never fukkin heard of ya' pal" forumComment -
So it's still there, but does not show up on that main list. I typed it in manually and found it still there. Guess if you bookmarked PT, you still have it. SBR has had all sorts of issues lately, the Sportsbook had a bunch of stupid soccer lines yesterday, etc. Must be a lunar eclipse.Comment -
6.8.14
ATP French Open: Nadal-Djokovic No TIE BREAKS +140
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Nice one, EP, you've been doing your research:
"Perhaps the lack of a big first-serve explains why these two don't play many tie-breaks. In a total of 110 sets, they have only played 11 tie-breaks, one every 10 sets played. Even assuming they play four or five sets in the final, that translates to odds of around 2.4 that we'll see a tie-break in Sunday's final, and 1.66 that we won't. Given that you can already get 2.02, even in the early, less-liquid stages of this market, that there will not be a tie break, I'll be holding out to try and back "No" at around 2.2."Comment -
You fukking kidding me? Holy Shit that is lame. Usually they limit at $100.Comment -
It's a best of five, they're not going to give you any better odds because it's still basically a 20% chance if they go five sets. If it was best of three, the price would be a lot lower. Usually when they offer this for guys who have better serves and less ability to break, the "Over" is -200 or a lot higher.Comment -
damn, nice find here EP...thinking of going big on this one.. -106 now in my book, smhComment -
Pretty sure this 4th set is the one this is going to lose on. Rafa got that break and then gave it back when that could have been the match.Comment -
Revere the Curse! Congrats to Rafa. The King of Clay. I often wonder if he'll retire after winning here some year.Comment -
It's always a true pleasure to see guys like Nadal, Federer, Djokovic ... when they win a Slam show genuine emotion the same as if it were their first Slam W.Comment -
I thought I lost my 50 on the second set .. Thank you sir, I do not know tennis like I thought and I think I will stick to only UFC bets. Lesson learned btw TY!! Cheers!!Comment -
I would have wasted my 50 instead of earning a cpl hundred on a ufc bet , but I gained 120
from the 50 on this bet. But it would be like throwing away a 100 , u guys said it was free money, so I took the chance. Here's yours UFC 174 Tyron Woodley. +100Comment -
ATP Halle Mini-View
This tournament has been ruled by Roger Federer, who has won the title six times ncluding in 2013. He is back as the #2 seed. Rafael Nadal is scheduled to take part in this tournament as the top seed, but I can see a potential withdrawal from Rafa after Sunday's French Open Final. Rest probably will do him better than trying to do a quick turnaround, but we shall see. Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori round out the top four seeds. The top eight seeds finish with Gasquet, Youzhny, Haas and Janowicz in what is a stacked field. Haas won the title in both 2012 and 2009 and Youzhny made the Final here last year. Haas, Youzhny and Federer generally play very well in Halle. Also keep an eye on German Phillip Kohlschreiber who is not seeded, but sports a 24-8 mark all-time at this tournament.
1st Round Upset Alert
Johnson over Haas
Haas will have the crowd on his side, but his 36-year old body has been breaking down on him regularly this year. The shoulder was enough of a problem to force him to retire at Roland Garros. Johnson has some good form of late and played on grass last week in Nottingham, so he may jump on Haas this week.
Becker over Monfils
From a surface standpoint, Becker knows how to play on the green stuff. He did not look great against Baghdatis in losing in the Nottingham Challenger, but Baggy was inspired for the week so maybe it's not that bad a loss. Monfils comes in off a grueling French Open and may or may not take part here. If he does, I'll take the guy who has shown good proficiency on the surface over one who may be feeling fatigued.
Nadal Quarter
Even if Nadal does participate this week, I'd look elsewhere for a potential semifinalist. Nadal's best finish here was the quarterfinals in 2012. Kohlschreiber is the one to watch here. He's in the bottom of the quarter and will have to work through Janowicz to get to the quarters. Janowicz has been unable to find a catalyst to turn around a poor 2014. He'll open with a qualifier and then likely gets Kohlschreiber. Dustin Brown and a qualifier will be in the top part of the bracket with Nadal. He bears watching, but is still not a particularly solid grass court player. Still, if Nadal pulls out of the competition it could open up a lane for him. For me, this quarter looks tailor made for Kohlschreiber with Janowicz a longer shot to emerge.
Raonic Quarter
Raonic comes to Halle with some momentum after a quarterfinal apperance in the French Open. The surface though has not been kind to him as the Canadian is just 10-10 on grass in his ATP career. He has done reasonably well in Halle though with two quarterfinal appearances in the last three years. He gets a bye to start this time and then Gojowczyk or Przysienzy. The bottom of the quarter sees Gasquet open with Haase and Kubot against Falla. If Gasquet is better physically, perhaps this is a good quarter for him. Given his back troubles though, I'd think he will be happy to just get a little court time in. Pay attention to Kubot. He's been horrible this season, but he's also shown prowess on the surface. Most of that success though is at Wimbledon, including a surprising quarterfinal run last year. Raonic has the draw to win this quarter if he is motivated.
Nishikori Quarter
This looks to be the most competitive quarter with injury questions galore. Haas is the seed opposite of Nishikori. He opens against Steve Johnson. The American has been playing well of late and given Haas' injury issues - an upset could be im the making. Gabashvili or a qualifier awaits the survivor there. Nishikori will take on either Monfils or Becker who has a pretty solid track record on this surface. Nishikori was felled by a back injury at Roland Garros. We'll see if a couple weeks have healed him up. Nishikori is decent on this surface, but it's not his favorite. Honestly, this could go to any player in this quarter. I'd give a shot to Johnson and then Nishikori if his back isn't problematic.
Federer Quarter
Federer was already turning his attention to grass courts following his loss to Gulbis last week at the French Open. There could be a mouth watering QF on-tap if Youzhny holds as the seed in the top half. This seems to be the time of year that the Russian begins to get his act into gear. He will have to contend with Karlovic first-up, but he's 3-0 against the big man who did have a back problem in France. If he's healed up, that's a big time first rounder to watch. Struff will try to put on a show for the crowd as he takes on Sousa with the winner getting Federer. Lu takes on a qualifer with the winner advancing to face Youzhny or Karlovic. Some good quality grass court guys in this quarter. Still like a motivated Federer in this spot with Youzhny as the likely Vulture if Fed isn't up to s
Futures Watch
No prices set as of yet, but I would look at Kohlschreiber, Raonic & Federer.Comment -
2014 Season Overall Profit: -0.13
Needed that prop big time today. Goal for the week is to finish a couple units in the black. Thank God for futures.
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Please tell me you are going to bet the Flodonis at 33-1 for Queens club..Comment -
I haven't looked at Queen's Club yet. Trying to decide if I want to focus on just one or play both. Good fields in both. Forgot how big a field that Queens Club has, sheesh 64. Gonna pour over it this afternoon.
There's some dangerous floaters in that field just at first glance. Baggy playing well this week on grass. Lopez. Tomic likely to start turning it around some on his best surface.Comment -
ATP Queens Club Mini-View
The grass court swing hits London at the Queens Club event. Andy Murray leads the charge as a three time Champion here. He is also the defending Champion. By far among the top ten seeds in this 64 player frield, Murray has the best record at 19-4. Several other seeds have good marks at Queens Club. Tsonga comes in seeded 5th with a 10-4 mark, 9th seed Cilic has a 16-5 mark and 13th seed Mahut is 17-10 here. Your top four seeds are Wawrinka, Berdych, Murray & Dimitrov. Of those, only Dimitrov has done a little bit here with a semifinal slot in 2012. Seeds generally do well in round one with very few upsets over the past three years. Do watch for the top tier seeds who earn byes though on their first-up matches in round two. That's where a couple of them might be prone to an upset.
Seeded Upsets
Baghdatis/Klahn over #1 Wawrinka
Grass is Wawrinka's worst surface and he comes in without much form. Baghdatis here would be especially enticing to back as the Cypriot won the Nottingham Challenger on grass last week and played perhaps his best tennis in the last 12 months.
Istomin/Dustov over #8 Dolgopolov
Certainly Istomin gives the best chance here. He's not great on this surface, but his game is fairly conducive towards being competitive on it. Dolgopolov meanwhile has been in a funk and is just 9-10 on grass.
de Schepper/Devarrman over #6 Gulbis
The Frenchman would be the better shot. He's already got some grass prep with a couple wins in Nottingham last week before losing to eventual Champion Marcos Baghdatis. He made the 3rd round here last year and surprised with a 4th round spot at Wimbledon. Gulbis meanwhile is just 8-13 on grass and 2-5 at Queens Club, having lost won a match here in 2008.
Quick Quarter Assessments
Wawrinka Quarter
Better Bets: Tsonga or Cilic to Win the Quarter
Darkhorses: Baghdatis and Querrey
Dimitrov Quarter
Shapes Best For: Dimitrov or Mahut
Darkhorses: Sijsling and Istomin
Murray Quarter
Best Bets: Murray or Anderson
Darkhorses: Stepanek and Tomic
Berdych Quarter
Grass Slayers: de Schepper, Hewitt, F.Lopez
Cake Draw: Berdych
Futures Watch
Cilic +1400
Dimitrov +900
Lopez or Hewitt +4000
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Great write ups eagles as always. what happened to the blog, we need some more intelligent tennis blogs out there. CheersComment -
6-9-14
ATP Parlay: Kohlschreiber + De Schepper @ -125
ATP Halle: Herbert +3.5 @ -130
ATP Queens Club: Duckworth @ +100
**Parlays will always be either risking/to win one unit. All other bets this week are risking/to win 0.5 unit
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Weather report for Monday: Rain late in both Halle & London, so the early matches look okay, but any later in the day may not make it.Comment -
They adjusted some, but still some rain although now it says AM. Weathermen suck. So maybe it will end up being zeroComment
