Thanks for nothing Radek, was one or two break too much asked? Nice bet John. Stepanek was better player when the game started but then Ljubo showed his power. It was fun when the game was 5-5 and Ljubicic serving Stepanek was leading 0-40 but no break and after that Ljubicic was leading on Stepanek's serve 15-40 but no break.
Intresting matches tomorrow. One thing you will need on this court is patience, the court is so slow that it does not matter how fast you will hit the ball, your opponent will be waiting and soon you have some unforced errers if you do not have a gameplan when doing hard hits. For example Djokovic lost a set today because he was trying to do the job quickly what was not possible. Federer might also have some difficulties with this. I was thinking about Berdych who's game suits well on clay and well against Robredo but he relies much on power too and Robredo is very patient man. He is a good returner and will wait when his opponent makes mistakes. No bet at least yet but thinking Berdych +115 will win. One bet I took was small stakes for Ferrero over Andreev -105. He seems to be playing well. Two good wins for him and maby too much for Andreev. Federer and Nadal should eat their opponents. On a faster surface Djokovic would beat Ferrer easily but here he causes much problems. Djokovic maby too overrated right now no matter how well he plays. I think I will try to ride with Ferrer +215. Again thinking we can say goodbay for Mirnyi but no bet this time because of low odds and I think Soderling is very weak mentally at least when it comes to tiebreaks. I was glad today he was able to do the early break in the third set and we did not see another tiebreak.
If Federer and Djokovic will win their matches they will meet at the fourth round...a match you will want to see and if Berdych and Nadal will win their next two matches they will meet too. I think Federer has no weapons against Nadal and Djokovic has weapons but I think Nadal is too much better than he on this surface. Berdych is the man who might end Nadal's clay wins. He is the only one on this surface imo, he is for Nadal what Nadal and Canas are for Federer. I saw their first match 2005 at Bastad from tv. The only one their meetings when Nadal won and that was on the clay. Other their matches has been on faster surfaces but then Berdych won the first set and he would have earned the win the match but so many easy errors. Odds for Nadal in that match were something like -2000. Really hoping that we will get this match.
Intresting matches tomorrow. One thing you will need on this court is patience, the court is so slow that it does not matter how fast you will hit the ball, your opponent will be waiting and soon you have some unforced errers if you do not have a gameplan when doing hard hits. For example Djokovic lost a set today because he was trying to do the job quickly what was not possible. Federer might also have some difficulties with this. I was thinking about Berdych who's game suits well on clay and well against Robredo but he relies much on power too and Robredo is very patient man. He is a good returner and will wait when his opponent makes mistakes. No bet at least yet but thinking Berdych +115 will win. One bet I took was small stakes for Ferrero over Andreev -105. He seems to be playing well. Two good wins for him and maby too much for Andreev. Federer and Nadal should eat their opponents. On a faster surface Djokovic would beat Ferrer easily but here he causes much problems. Djokovic maby too overrated right now no matter how well he plays. I think I will try to ride with Ferrer +215. Again thinking we can say goodbay for Mirnyi but no bet this time because of low odds and I think Soderling is very weak mentally at least when it comes to tiebreaks. I was glad today he was able to do the early break in the third set and we did not see another tiebreak.
If Federer and Djokovic will win their matches they will meet at the fourth round...a match you will want to see and if Berdych and Nadal will win their next two matches they will meet too. I think Federer has no weapons against Nadal and Djokovic has weapons but I think Nadal is too much better than he on this surface. Berdych is the man who might end Nadal's clay wins. He is the only one on this surface imo, he is for Nadal what Nadal and Canas are for Federer. I saw their first match 2005 at Bastad from tv. The only one their meetings when Nadal won and that was on the clay. Other their matches has been on faster surfaces but then Berdych won the first set and he would have earned the win the match but so many easy errors. Odds for Nadal in that match were something like -2000. Really hoping that we will get this match.
Seems like the early money has gone for Ferrer, Ferrero, Robredo and Kohl.
I mostly agree with you Tchocky. I would play Kohl if I had to because I have not seen him playing this week but I have heard only good about him. I think we have totally different match-up compared two years ago when Lopez was better in straight sets at Valencia. Kohl was losing for Dave but then Dave hurted his back. Gasquet seems also to be obvious winner but -160 is not enough for me.
GL
I mostly agree with you Tchocky. I would play Kohl if I had to because I have not seen him playing this week but I have heard only good about him. I think we have totally different match-up compared two years ago when Lopez was better in straight sets at Valencia. Kohl was losing for Dave but then Dave hurted his back. Gasquet seems also to be obvious winner but -160 is not enough for me.
GL
Nice day :toast:
Federer and Ferrer meeting tomorrow and I am thinking Ferrer might have a good chance to win the match, now +580. Federer had nice win today but there was not much what Lee could have done because he is not so good serve returner. Anyway Federer has not been himself after Canas kicked his ass and he plays below how he has usually played so it will be hard match against Ferrer. Head to head is for Federer 5-0 and he has totally dominated their games. Last year in Monte Carlo he won 6-1, 6-3. Their last meeting was in Basel last year on Carpet when Ferrer was able to Force tired Federer to the tiebreak at the second set and had some setpoints but Federer closed the tiebreak 16-14. I think the last set they played in Basel gives Ferrer some selfconfidence to this match. If Federer is 100% ok mentally and physically, what he seems not to be, he will take this match easily.
Federer and Ferrer meeting tomorrow and I am thinking Ferrer might have a good chance to win the match, now +580. Federer had nice win today but there was not much what Lee could have done because he is not so good serve returner. Anyway Federer has not been himself after Canas kicked his ass and he plays below how he has usually played so it will be hard match against Ferrer. Head to head is for Federer 5-0 and he has totally dominated their games. Last year in Monte Carlo he won 6-1, 6-3. Their last meeting was in Basel last year on Carpet when Ferrer was able to Force tired Federer to the tiebreak at the second set and had some setpoints but Federer closed the tiebreak 16-14. I think the last set they played in Basel gives Ferrer some selfconfidence to this match. If Federer is 100% ok mentally and physically, what he seems not to be, he will take this match easily.
Berdych beated Soderling and meets Nadal if Nadal beats Kohl. The match what at least I have been waiting for. There should be injury if Nadal can't win Kohl. The match will be something like Rafael "I want my 68th straight win on clay" Nadal versus Tomas "I will not give it for you because I am your worst nightmare and by the way, Spain sucks" Berdych. Power what Berdych uses in his hits is something what Nadal has big problems with. On this surface Rafael is favourite but my estimation is that Berdych takes this match three times out of eight (pretty bold estimation) and I will be surprised to see if the line will be less than +300, propably more so my stake will propably be 10/10.
I was disappointed today because of Ferrer. Not because he lost his game but how he lost it. There was no deepness in his hits and Federer was able to come to the net because of that and when Ferrer plays so far away from the net he had not a slightes chance. I was thinking he would give some trouble for Federer but no. Very good match for Roger to get his selfconfidence back. If Ferrero comes against him Federer should cruise to the final but if his opponent will be Gasquet it will be whole different thing. Federer and Gasquet has had tight matches in the past even head to heads are for Federer 5-1. On this very slow surface I think Gasquet has good chances to beat Federer as an good all court player but there is one big but, Gasquet seems to be very tired right now and he kept a short break in the second set taking some pills from his trainer. The sets between Gasquet and Ferrero right now 1-1 and I see Ferrero as a favourite to the last set but hoping the best for Gasquet. At least the crowd is cheering him.
I was disappointed today because of Ferrer. Not because he lost his game but how he lost it. There was no deepness in his hits and Federer was able to come to the net because of that and when Ferrer plays so far away from the net he had not a slightes chance. I was thinking he would give some trouble for Federer but no. Very good match for Roger to get his selfconfidence back. If Ferrero comes against him Federer should cruise to the final but if his opponent will be Gasquet it will be whole different thing. Federer and Gasquet has had tight matches in the past even head to heads are for Federer 5-1. On this very slow surface I think Gasquet has good chances to beat Federer as an good all court player but there is one big but, Gasquet seems to be very tired right now and he kept a short break in the second set taking some pills from his trainer. The sets between Gasquet and Ferrero right now 1-1 and I see Ferrero as a favourite to the last set but hoping the best for Gasquet. At least the crowd is cheering him.
I just can't see the upset tomm, Levi. I think Nadal, in current form, is lickign his chops for revenge Vs Tomas. On hardcourt I agree, Berdych fits the bill for the type of player that can give Nadal fits: a player that hits it consistently hard, flat from both sides (other examples are Maliise and Blake). However, this aint hardcourt. Berdych has looked okay this week, surviving in 3 over a shaky Soderling and Robredo. He cannot afford any lapses vs Nadal, or he's gogin down.
Gasquet ran out of gas--why was he in doubles for? This kid is an enigma
I appreciate your opinion Hope. It is true that this court takes much away from Berdych's serve but I see this match-up so good for Berdych and the other thing what Berdych does well against Nadal is coming to the net but tomorrow we are much wiser.
Odds for Berdych at Betfair +1000 and some was matched with +1100, madness imo and maby I am totally wrong in this and maby I know that after the match tomorrow but I took it only with 7/10 because I am not too greed :missingte
Odds for Berdych at Betfair +1000 and some was matched with +1100, madness imo and maby I am totally wrong in this and maby I know that after the match tomorrow but I took it only with 7/10 because I am not too greed :missingte
Checked the games in Barcelona so far. The court is pretty fast but not as fast as US-courts and a thing I have heard but can not say it is 100% true is that the centralcourt is much faster than other courts. No big bets for me before the game time.
Oscar Hernandez over Tursunov with +122. I see this match as a pretty even. I would not touch this if they were playing on the centrecourt but they are not. Oscar is a pure clay courter and Tursunov has showed some progress on clay but mostly on faster courts and he has to do more to convince me too.
I see some people on this forum are on Vincent but I see nothing else good for him than head to heads which he leads 2-0 over Gabashvili. It will be Spadea's first match outside the US for some time and for me he is pretty useless on european clay. Gabashvili either clay expert but he played well when he was in the US and now he has played some matches on european clay so this is advantage for him. Gabashvili also favours clay as his favourite surface. Gabashvili with -122 for me.
No bet for this match but Felix Mantilla is making a return. He has had bad injuries and he has fought with skin cancer. Felix is incredible fighter and waiting to see what he can do against Dustov who came trough qualies. Because of his cancer Felix will use a cap what protects his neck like Foreign Region and that makes problems for some of his moves but he could have not asked easier opponent for his opening match.
Feliziano Lopez over Guillermo Garzia Lopez with +150. I think Guillermo will win as he has won their two previous meetings but I just have to try with this odd. Other winners imo are Calleri, Lee and Martin but can see no value in their odds
GL
Oscar Hernandez over Tursunov with +122. I see this match as a pretty even. I would not touch this if they were playing on the centrecourt but they are not. Oscar is a pure clay courter and Tursunov has showed some progress on clay but mostly on faster courts and he has to do more to convince me too.
I see some people on this forum are on Vincent but I see nothing else good for him than head to heads which he leads 2-0 over Gabashvili. It will be Spadea's first match outside the US for some time and for me he is pretty useless on european clay. Gabashvili either clay expert but he played well when he was in the US and now he has played some matches on european clay so this is advantage for him. Gabashvili also favours clay as his favourite surface. Gabashvili with -122 for me.
No bet for this match but Felix Mantilla is making a return. He has had bad injuries and he has fought with skin cancer. Felix is incredible fighter and waiting to see what he can do against Dustov who came trough qualies. Because of his cancer Felix will use a cap what protects his neck like Foreign Region and that makes problems for some of his moves but he could have not asked easier opponent for his opening match.
Feliziano Lopez over Guillermo Garzia Lopez with +150. I think Guillermo will win as he has won their two previous meetings but I just have to try with this odd. Other winners imo are Calleri, Lee and Martin but can see no value in their odds
GL
Completely agree with you about Hernandez and Feliciano Lopez. Will probably be betting on both.
I placed a bet on Spadea because Gabashvili was supposedly injured in his humiliating first round loss at Monte Carlo to Seppi. Both players also aren't strong clay courters. I didn't really see a reason why Spadea would therefore have higher odds.
Having said that, Gabashvili is my most hated player. If I bet against him, he'll launch an amazing comeback, save a hundred match points, and win the game. If I bet on him, he'll get crushed 6-0, 6-0. So, I'm hoping this is the game that the Curse of Gabashvili is finally lifted!
Good luck on the picks.
I placed a bet on Spadea because Gabashvili was supposedly injured in his humiliating first round loss at Monte Carlo to Seppi. Both players also aren't strong clay courters. I didn't really see a reason why Spadea would therefore have higher odds.
Having said that, Gabashvili is my most hated player. If I bet against him, he'll launch an amazing comeback, save a hundred match points, and win the game. If I bet on him, he'll get crushed 6-0, 6-0. So, I'm hoping this is the game that the Curse of Gabashvili is finally lifted!
Good luck on the picks.
Both dogs won and the favourite lost. Is Gabashvili anymore your most hated player Rhino? I bet you were thinking for some time oh my god is he doing it againg but eventually it was easy third set for Spadea and you can say the Curse of Gabashvili is finally lifted :lol: nice winner for you anyway.
Soderling over Gaudio -151. It opened yesterday and was -160 not so sure what people are thinking. Gaston has beaten Soderling before and he has a good record from Barcelona but there is no hope of better with Gaston. I watched his game against Djokovic and he seemed to be so frustrated while playing and yelling when he hits the ball as an unforced error. His father was watching the game and when he made rebreak in the second set his father was cheering for him but Gaston was like he had not even heard him. I did not noticed this but the commentator did and he said it is a very bad mark. Anyway they are playing on a relative faster center court and this is good for Soderling. Very confident with him, high stakes.
And then my biggest surprise of the day: Mirnyi +591 over Canas. Guillermo trained very hardly all the time when he was not permitted to take part to tournaments and nice wins over Federer and here we have a real fighter but this is bad match-up for him. They are not playing on the centrecourt so not so fast court what is good for Guillermo but here is what is the problem. Max comes to the net and it is hit or miss when Canas is better in ball rallies and Mirnyi's gamestyle really hurts him. Handicaps if you want smaller value. Max is in great shape. He played so well at Monte Carlo what was totally not good tournament for his gamestyle. He trains on claycourts in his homeland what you might not believe when you watch his results but he really is more dangerous on this surface than you can see from his results because it is easy for many clay players to play against him on clay because of his gamestyle but now he has opponent who does not like this.
I was surprised to see Nalbandian taking part to the tournament because he retired his match last week agains Kohl because of his back. He was leading the first set 5-2 and lost the set 7-5. Not so confident about his condition so give me Martin +181. Low odds if David is ok but I will take this with small stake.
Also thinking about Moya, Hrbaty and Massu but not liking their odds.
GL
Soderling over Gaudio -151. It opened yesterday and was -160 not so sure what people are thinking. Gaston has beaten Soderling before and he has a good record from Barcelona but there is no hope of better with Gaston. I watched his game against Djokovic and he seemed to be so frustrated while playing and yelling when he hits the ball as an unforced error. His father was watching the game and when he made rebreak in the second set his father was cheering for him but Gaston was like he had not even heard him. I did not noticed this but the commentator did and he said it is a very bad mark. Anyway they are playing on a relative faster center court and this is good for Soderling. Very confident with him, high stakes.
And then my biggest surprise of the day: Mirnyi +591 over Canas. Guillermo trained very hardly all the time when he was not permitted to take part to tournaments and nice wins over Federer and here we have a real fighter but this is bad match-up for him. They are not playing on the centrecourt so not so fast court what is good for Guillermo but here is what is the problem. Max comes to the net and it is hit or miss when Canas is better in ball rallies and Mirnyi's gamestyle really hurts him. Handicaps if you want smaller value. Max is in great shape. He played so well at Monte Carlo what was totally not good tournament for his gamestyle. He trains on claycourts in his homeland what you might not believe when you watch his results but he really is more dangerous on this surface than you can see from his results because it is easy for many clay players to play against him on clay because of his gamestyle but now he has opponent who does not like this.
I was surprised to see Nalbandian taking part to the tournament because he retired his match last week agains Kohl because of his back. He was leading the first set 5-2 and lost the set 7-5. Not so confident about his condition so give me Martin +181. Low odds if David is ok but I will take this with small stake.
Also thinking about Moya, Hrbaty and Massu but not liking their odds.
GL
:aktion033 The curse finally lifted!!! I checked the scoreboard and saw Spadea cruising. Checked back 20mins later to see Gaba was winning the 2nd set... :smoking: But the bastard wasn't going to cost me again.
Nice hits on F Lopez and Hernandez!
I really enjoy your write-ups. The analysis on all the matches are completely right. But, I might be going against you with Gaudio. I've just got a slight lean on Gaston because of Soderling's spectacular collapse against Berdych. He's going to want to come out and get that out of his system. The faster court certainly suits him but if things start going a bit wrong, I think his confidence will be blown. This match is absolutely crazy though, as both are headcases.
I just took an outright bet on Canas to win the tournament. If he plays Nadal in the final, I'll hedge. However, you're completely right about Mirnyi. The guy is in form, with a good style to take on Canas. The odds are very good value, but I'm going with my heart on this one, steering clear, and cheering on Willy.
I am definitely with you on Martin.
All your picks make great sense. Good luck bro.
Nice hits on F Lopez and Hernandez!
I really enjoy your write-ups. The analysis on all the matches are completely right. But, I might be going against you with Gaudio. I've just got a slight lean on Gaston because of Soderling's spectacular collapse against Berdych. He's going to want to come out and get that out of his system. The faster court certainly suits him but if things start going a bit wrong, I think his confidence will be blown. This match is absolutely crazy though, as both are headcases.
I just took an outright bet on Canas to win the tournament. If he plays Nadal in the final, I'll hedge. However, you're completely right about Mirnyi. The guy is in form, with a good style to take on Canas. The odds are very good value, but I'm going with my heart on this one, steering clear, and cheering on Willy.
I am definitely with you on Martin.
All your picks make great sense. Good luck bro.
Thanks Rhino. Was not thinking about Soderling's collapse, good point.
Adding Starace -376 over Querrey. Low odds and not usually liking them on the first round but Querrey has played 10 matches on clay of his all matches and in europe his only clay games are from junior's French Open where he won Rochette, Ley, Kennaugh and lost for Lacko. Querrey is a typical US player whit nice serve without remarkable clay abilities and I see this match ending in two sets.
Adding Starace -376 over Querrey. Low odds and not usually liking them on the first round but Querrey has played 10 matches on clay of his all matches and in europe his only clay games are from junior's French Open where he won Rochette, Ley, Kennaugh and lost for Lacko. Querrey is a typical US player whit nice serve without remarkable clay abilities and I see this match ending in two sets.
