EP36's Tennis Things I THINK I THINK

[EaglesPhan36]

WTA MARBELLA

PARRA-SANTONJA +5 [-117]
Azarenka was marvelous in Miami, but now she's making the turnaround from hard court to clay. Azarenka was not good on clay last year, but has been fairly consistent on the surface over her career. Vika tweeted about the extreme spin on the ball compared to her hard court play, so there is a chance that her first-up won't be all ponies and puppy dogs. Parra-Santonja is a dirt vet and has played some on the surface already this season. I THINK with Azarenka making the transition, there is a chance the Spaniard could keep this match close if she can start fast.

SZAVAY -114
Szavay draws Kuznetsova who has had a very disappointing 2011 so far. Sveta looked like she might be ready to roll after making the Dubai final, but she's gone 2-3 since with some bad losses. She struggled mightily in her opener her against a qualifier. Szavay's 2011 campaign got off to a late start, but her clay season began with a demolition of Larsson 6-1, 6-1. She's got skills on dirt with two titles last summer. With Kuznetsova in questionable form right now, taking Szavay on her preferred surface.

[h1holstrom]

Szavay good call, parra is 2-6 2-4 now, gl

[EaglesPhan36]

You may want to be weary of my 1st few picks here as I am just getting back into the swing of tennis this week. Azarenka too strong today. Hopefully Szavay comes through.

[EaglesPhan36]

WTA CHARLESTON

VESNINA +155
The Russian draws Mattek-Sands today. The American has never advanced past this round at the Charleston tournament. Vesnina meanwhile has seemingly been boosted by the US clay swing the last couple years. At Charleston, she is 6-2 now over the past three tournaments. She had to battle past big hitting Rebecca Marino while Mattek-Sands cruised against Stevenson. Mattek-Sands is an average clay player as is Vesnina, but I don't rate the American as big a favorite as listed. Will take a shot at the dog here.

[EaglesPhan36]

I foresee 0-3. Szavay is getting creamed since the 1st set.

[dlweaver]

i went complete opposite and took azarenka and kuznetsova. best of luck rest of the day

[EaglesPhan36]

Think I am going to just take off until next week. Trying to pick up mid-tourney is rough. Passed on winners, played losers.

[Brian891]

ep congrats on destroying bases so far. is isner a bad play tonight agianst zeballos? i can get him -130.

[EaglesPhan36]

Tough call. Zeballos in general is not great on dirt on the ATP level, although he's proven adequate in Challengers. Isner obviously is not a clay guy, but the serve can equalize some of his shortcomings. Given that this is Isner's first-up and Zeballos already has a win and played decent here last year ... I'd pass on Isner I think.

[beefcake]

Lots of cash on Sweeting..Price on Querrey seems doable now..Better player on this surface..I think since because Ryan beat sam on hard in delray is the reason for the movement.

[EaglesPhan36]

Hey yo! 1-2. Vesnina comes through.

[iceman8847]

E/p any thoughts On SWEETING AND QUERREY

[gators0708]

I was at the match when Sweeting beat him the last time but that was on hard court so no idea..

[EaglesPhan36]

WTA MARABELLA

ZAHALOVA-VECINO OVER 21 [-108]
Whatever will be, will be.

[shari91]

Best of luck EP

[sharlataans]

WTA MARABELLA

ZAHALOVA-VECINO OVER 21 [-108]
Whatever will be, will be.

I like the play EP. How big do you plan to go?

[sharlataans]

Anyone uses bet365 here? I guess they have an error we might exploit. Look,
Vecino +1.5 is 1.80 Do you think they will spot this anyway??

[EaglesPhan36]

I like the play EP. How big do you plan to go?

I stay steady at one unit for all tennis plays.

[EaglesPhan36]

ATP CASABLANCA

GIL WINS 1st SET +158
Gil vs. Simon here. Simon is making his 1st clay court start this season since his Davis Cup action a bit ago and he's not been the most consistent clay court player over the years. He's got a nice looking record at this tournament due to a tournament win in 2008, but he's played just five matches on clay over the past year and a half. Gil is a capable clay court type who rolled in his opener here. Don't know if Gil is consistent enough to take the match from Simon, but if Simon comes out with a bit of rust to his clay court game - Gil could at least start off by taking the opening set.

[EaglesPhan36]

ATP HOUSTON

ANDREEV-NISHIKORI OVER 22 [-125]
Andreev seems to have a habit of playing rollercoaster three set matches or back & forth tight two setters more often than not. These two met last month on hard court and it was a topsy-turvy three set win for Andreev. Both flashed solid play in their openers in Houston. Nishikori has some nice Challenger results on dirt, but has yet to provide us with a big enough sample size on the ATP level to show if he's truly comfortable on the surface against veterans like Andreev. That being said, he's in good enough form here to compete with someone like Andreev who seems to be a coin flip from set to set on what he's going to bring to the table. With that being the feel for me here, I can see this one going three again or perhaps staying tight enough in two to give this a shot.

[h1holstrom]

Good luck with your picks.

[sharlataans]

I stay steady at one unit for all tennis plays.

My gut told me to follow you with this pick.
I went big with cash at my local. There is going to be a party tomorrow

[EaglesPhan36]

Sweet.

[brandoc]

Well done EP That Zahalova-Vecino game was one crazy ride.

[EaglesPhan36]

I should have quit earlier. Andreev is too shitty to extend this match.

[EaglesPhan36]

WTA MARABELLA

DULGHERU-ERRANI OVER 21 [-115]
One thing does not lead to another, but they played twice on clay in 2010 and both resulted in three set matches. Dulgheru has been living on the edge with two three hour matches this week. Dulgheru is a class above Errani on this surface, but the fatigue factor could level the playing field some. Dulgheru's 2nd serve has been exceptionally poor this tournament, so if she's having any trouble getting 1st serves in - Errani will have chances. Let's get reaaaadddddy for some service breaks!

[EaglesPhan36]

ATP HOUSTON: CUEVAS -126
Nishikori has the "sexy" wins over names. Cuevas the better clay game IMO. This is Cuevas' surface and he's shown in the past the capability to win titles on dirt. Nishikori will be a tough out. Turnaround starts here.

[EaglesPhan36]

Or just fade me and make a fortune.

[erkanua]

EP do you have any ideas about the doubles in Houston?

[h1holstrom]

no bet for me today. GL everybody

[EaglesPhan36]

ATP MONTE CARLO

DEUCE: ROBREDO + GIRALDO [-120]

Robredo gets Dodig. The Spaniard hasn't played since March, but has shown well on clay already with a title and a 9-2 mark on the surface this season. Dodig is just over a .500 performer on dirt and has not had much success at the ATP level on this surface. Robredo hasn't been great at this tournament, but his experience on this surface and in this tournament should pay dividends. Giraldo goes up against Gimeno-Traver. Gimeno-Traver hasn't won a match since last October. 0-8 in 2011. Giraldo has been a bit stiff on the hard court swing, but should get some energy back on dirt where he excels. In 2011, he's 6-3 on the surface. He showed good form on clay in 2010 at the lower level Challenger events and then he's been able to translate that to more success on clay on the ATP level this year. DGT isn't totally lost on this surface as he proved last year, but right now he's struggling to find wins anywhere.

[EaglesPhan36]

I suck.

[EaglesPhan36]

Here's one more for you to fade for profits.

Tsonga +115
Monaco is clearly a bit better on this surface, but for some stupid reason I think Tsonga has a shot here. Might be because Monaco's 2010 has been pretty poor. Tsonga will have to serve great to have a chance.

[EaglesPhan36]

Apologies for picking a winner.

[h1holstrom]

thank you for today plays.