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Novak Djokovic Profile

Bet123 — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:10:28 +0000

Novak Djokovic is a Serbian tennis player who has achieved an incredible amount in his career considering his relatively young age of 24.

Currently ranked as No.1 in the world, Djokovic’s best year so far was 2011 and in 2012 he is aiming to emulate this success. A passionate character, he is someone that loves every second of being a professional tennis player and fans all over the world enjoy watching him too.

Grand Slam History

During his career so far, Djokovic has won five Grand Slam titles with three of these – Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open – coming in what was an unbelievable 2011 for him.

This means that, at the time of writing, the only major tournament to evade him is the French Open. Given his talent, enthusiasm and age though, it is surely only a matter of time before Djokovic succeeds at Roland Garros.

Breaking records regularly since being fast tracked to the top of the men’s game, Djokovic is the youngest player to reach the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam. Then, there is the small matter of being the first Serbian to win a Major singles title.

Overall, Djokovic is a fantastic tennis player and one that turns it on in the biggest events of all. Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record is in danger from this man, no doubt about it.

Chances of success

All of the above means that he has a fantastic chance of winning Wimbledon this year. As the reigning Champion, he will go into the tournament under pressure, but confident.

As ever, a lot could depend on whether he saves his best form for the potential semi-final and final match ups against the likes of SW19 king Federer, World No.2 Rafael Nadal or home favourite Andy Murray.

The 24-year-old will be hoping to show his class in the open rounds, get the crowd on his side and then produce some famous Grand Slam magic in the latter stages.

Novak Djokovic Odds

Looking at the betting for Wimbledon this year, Djokovic is the favourite at 7/4 to secure his second consecutive title. For many, many reasons, he is the man to beat.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Novak Djokovic Profile

Andy Murray Wimbledon Chances

Bet123 — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:17:52 +0000

Andy Murray is 24-years-old and the British No.1 for men’s tennis. Born in Scotland, he has been flying the flag for British tennis since breaking into top ten of the World rankings back in April 2007.

The Scotsman is without doubt the best hope for British success at Wimbledon this year and will be passionately backed by the crowd from the very first round. He is currently ranked No.4 in the World rankings.

Grand Slam History

It has been a common phrase when discussing Andy Murray’s Grand Slam chances that he ‘will definitely win one eventually’. This is never going to be satisfying for the British No.1 though and he will not rest until he has Grand Slam success.

Murray has come close on a number of occasions of course, finishing as runner-up in three Grand Slam finals. This includes the 2008 US Open Final, the 2010 Australian Open and a year later in the same tournament.

As far as Wimbledon is concerned, Murray has reached the semi-final on three occasions – 2009, 2010 and 2011. He will be aiming to go one better this year before securing a famous British win in the final.

Chances of success

There is no doubt that Murray is one of the leading contenders for Wimbledon this year. Not only is he amongst the elite of men’s tennis – a group that includes Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – but he has the amazing British crowd behind him.
Murray suits playing on grass too and he often grows as the tournament progresses. As ever, it will depend on whether he can beat two big guns in succession across the semi-final and final.

Odds

Looking at the odds for Andy Murray to win the 2012 Wimbledon title, you can currently back him at 13/2, making him the fourth favourite behind Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Andy Murray Wimbledon Chances

Monte Carlo Masters Odds

Timothy Masters — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:01:44 +0000

With the French Open approaching the Men’s Tour has made its way to Monte Carlo for the traditional warm-up/tune up tournament, and a lot of questions will surely be answered here. Most pressing is the one concerning the Spanish patella, and what lies beneath, for Rafa Nadal is here this week and has already admitted he is not certain of being able to defend his French Open title due to his chronic knee problem.

Last month the Spanish bull and former world number one had to pull out of a semi-final with Andy Murray in Miami due to tendonitis, and the decision will have partly been due to Murray’s ability to move and stretch Rafa. It is also worrying on a long-term basis for a man who built his game around phenomenal movement and flexibility, especially as Novak Djokovic has taken that to a new level in the past eighteen months, making Nadal look ordinary when they have met.

VictorChandler currently have the Rafa as a 10/11 favourite to win Monte Carlo, and until we’ve seen how he gets on here it will be very difficult to judge his prospects for the French, but even so I’m surprised the 2/1 on Novak Djokovic with SportingBet is so far back on that. In recent meetings between the two the Serb has been utterly dominant, and for me even on clay he is at least even with Nadal.

The British hope is one three fronts this time, with genuine conten…nah, you’re not falling for that. Once again Andy Murray is our greatest hope, and he is at least VictorChandler’s third favourite at 16/1. In another era we would be watching a British number one, in my view, but the dominance of Federer, Nadal and now Djokovic has meant a lot of high-profile near-misses. With any luck the addition of Ivan Lendl to the Scot’s camp will prove the difference for him this time around.

Further back, SportingBet 25/1 on David Ferrer, or 40/1 on Nicolas Almagro, and normally a couple of Spaniards would be excellent bets during the clay-court swing, but with the top three on a different level it will need a few shocks and a monumental effort to turn those outside punts into more than lost money. This tournament will be a fascinating look into what we can expect at Roland Garros, and maybe even Wimbledon, as well as being fantastic entertainment, so don’t miss out.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Monte Carlo Masters Odds

Can anyone stop Novak?

Bet123 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:45:21 +0000

Is there any stopping Novak Djokovic? You would think a gruelling semi-final victory over Andy Murray would have been enough to end his chances of winning the final of the Australian Open against Rafael Nadal, but seemingly not. Those looking at casinos Android even note note he battled on to emerge victorious from the longest final ever.

Some have described him as super-human, others have just looked on in astonishment, but what is true is that Novak Djokovic has come into 2012 in just the sort of form that allowed him to dominate tennis the previous year. He may even be better, unbelievably.

And the world number one has described his victory over Rafael Nadal as the greatest moment of his career.

“It was the longest Grand Slam final of all time. Just hearing that fact makes me cry,” said the emotional Serbian. “Wimbledon is right up there because it is the tournament I always wanted to win. But this comes out on top.”

Djokovic’s victory means that he joins Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Mats Wilander in being the only Open-era players to complete a hat-trick of successes.

He added: “I am very proud to be a part of history, to be among the elite group of players who have won this trophy several times.

“I had lots of chances to finish the match in the fourth, but he came up with some incredible serves and incredible points.

“So he deserved to prolong the match in the fifth set, and then really both of us could have won the match. Even when I was 4-2 down I still pushed myself up to the limit.

“I’m sure any other tennis player would say the same. We live for these matches.

“We’re trying to dedicate all our life to this sport, to come to the situation where we play a six-hour match for a Grand Slam title.”

It was quite some year for Djokovic in 2011, as he won the Australian Open, the US Open and Wimbledon. In 2012 he will be hoping to do all that again, but to also add the French Open to it.

That will, of course, be a tough ask, with Nadal dominating on the clay surfaces of Roland Garros, but with the Serb in such fine form, can anyone stop him?

Just a few years ago, people were putting Djokovic in the same category as Andy Murray, as being unlucky to be playing in the same era as Nadal and Federer. They said that in any other era Djokovic could have been world number one, but not this one.

They were proven wrong, as last year he shot to the top of the rankings. Playing the way he is now, it looks as though it will be a long time before anyone knocks him off his perch.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Can anyone stop Novak?

Williams to prove her credentials

Bet123 — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:44:11 +0000

Former world number one Serena Williams will be out to prove she is still a force in the women’s game after being ranked at a lowly 28th for the US Open. The Grand Slam, which gets underway on Monday, sees the world’s top players meet at Flushing Meadows in the last major event of the season. Those who plan to be Betting on US Open 2011 matches will be watching her closely.

Williams has won the event in New York on three previous occasions, with her last success in the Big Apple coming back in 2008. The 29-year-old has struggled with foot injury in recent seasons, which has hindered her performances on the court and limited her realistic chances of adding to her impressive Grand Slam record, with 13 singles titles to her name. Due to the injury, Williams has slipped down the world rankings and now finds herself in 28th place for her home Grand Slam, which means some potentially difficult opponents ahead of her if she wants to make it title number four.

A toe injury forced the American to withdraw from the Cincinnati Masters last week but the sister of Venus Williams should recover in time for the event at Flushing Meadows. One player who has worked her way back from injury is the top ranked seed Caroline Wozniacki, who will be a player to look out for in New York. If the Dane can get a favourable route to the final she could go all the way and secure her first Grand Slam win of her career. Fans of the Betfair Tennis will know of her potential.

The top players at this event have all seemed to have had injuries in recent seasons and the third ranked Russian star Maria Sharapova, who has come back from a serious shoulder injury, will be full of confidence after winning in Cincinnati last week.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Williams to prove her credentials

US Open hand out their wildcards

Bet123 — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:15:05 +0000

Former US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt is the highest profile name to have earned a wildcard invitation to the US Open. The Australian is among a group of seven which have been given the late way into the final Grand Slam of the season, joining established names such as Robby Ginepri, Ryan Harrison, Julien Benneteau and Donald Young. American youngsters Steve Johnson and Jack Sock have also been given the chance to compete with the world’s best.

Hewitt has struggled to maintain the fitness levels needed to compete regularly at the top of the game, with his 30-year old body ravaged with injuries, although when on his game and the 2001 champion can still draw the crowds. He may have fallen down the rankings – all the way to 165th – but if Hewitt can keep injury free throughout the tournament, then he could be in with a chance of reaching the latter stages. It could well be the last time the Aussie gets to grace Flushing Meadows and he’ll want to leave on a high. Those looking at the Betfair US Open 2011 betting will know he faces a big challenge.

Ginepri has reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows before, back in 2005, although his form has never managed to reach those heights again and his current ranking is a lowly 305th. 19-year old Harrison has US Open experience as well, with a second-round appearance at last year’s tournament something to build on this time around. The US Open betting odds show he is capable of causing an upset.

Youngster Sock secured his place in the main draw after defending his USTA boy’s title at the 18s national championships last week for the second year running. Last year Sock became the first American to clinch the US Open boys’ title since Andy Roddick in 2000. American fans will be hoping the youngster can emulate his successor one day and this experience will be fantastic for the 18-year old.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

US Open hand out their wildcards

Clijsters looks to bounce back from injury

Bet123 — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:24:05 +0000

Kim Clijsters, a favourite to win the upcoming US Open, is to make a return to tennis at the Rogers Cup in Canada. The 28-year-old Belgian admitted the event, which begins next month, will be an “an important test”. The Rogers Cup will be a ‘stepping stone’ to the US Open for Clijsters.

Clijsters has been sidelined with two separate ankle injuries since the middle of May 2011, forcing her withdrawal from the Wimbledon Championships, and affecting much of her clay court season, earlier in the year. Those looking at the US Open 2011 tennis betting will be wondering if she has fully recovered yet.

“I twisted my foot not sideways, but forwards,” Clijsters said, describing the second injury, which she acquired at the UNICEF Open in Holland. “I stretched the front of my foot and I had a lot of bone bruising in the back of my heel.”

The first injury was picked up in a rather more unusual manner; dancing at a wedding.

The tennis player says that there will be no high heels worn on the approach to the US Open, in a bid to rehabilitate her foot.

Clijsters has enjoyed a colourful career to date. She has won four Grand Slams, including three US Opens, three trophies on the WTA Tour and a handful of doubles titles with Ai Sugiyama of Japan. However, her success came at a price; Clijsters struggled with injuries throughout the mid-2000s, culminating with her retirement in May 2007.

She returned to the professional tennis circuit two years later, claiming two of her three US Open titles in 2009 and 2010. Clijsters is a 9/1 to win the US Open in the tennis online betting.

Notably, she will be the only woman in New York next month to have won a Grand Slam on a hard court in 2011, following on from her earlier victory at the Australian Open.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Clijsters looks to bounce back from injury

Del Potro a challenger again

Bet123 — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:55:30 +0000

Juan Martin del Potro has given a reminder that there is more to men’s tennis than a supposed ‘big four’. His high quality four-se defeat by Rafael Nadal in the fourth round at Wimbledon showed he is nearing the form that won him the 2009 US Open. He will certainly be a strong challenger at Flushing Meadows this year, as he is constantly improving.

The 22-year-old’s resurgence has been impressive. After missing most of last year with a serious wrist injury, he has recovered from 485th place in the ATP rankings to the verge of the top 20. He will arrive in New York back inside the top 16, well on-course to challenge for the fourth place he once held at the peak of his powers. Those looking at the US Open betting should remember he could pose serious problems.

Del Potro’s efforts at Wimbledon were all the more impressive considering his supposed weakness on grass. He has the big serve and flat ground strokes to prosper at SW19, but his height has made him an ungainly mover on the unfamiliar surface – before this week he had not reached the third round in three previous efforts.

This suggests the Argentinean will be even stronger in the US Open, on his favourite surface. He became the only player to beat both Nadal and Roger Federer in the same slam in winning in 2009 and he will be highly motivated after so much time out of the game and missing the opportunity to defend his title last year. The US Open odds 2011 indicate he could cause an upset or two.

Hunger has been manifested in anger he has shown at Wimbledon – the irate disposal of his footwear during his second round match the most notable incident – and he is clearly a man on a mission. He must improve a head-to-head record of six wins and 21 defeats against the big four, but he knows the US Open is a venue he can do just that.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Del Potro a challenger again

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Sweeting claims five-set Wimbledon win

Bet123 — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:51:04 +0000

American Ryan Sweeting will be absolutely delighted having come through his first round match at Wimbledon against Spaniard Pablo Andujar Alba in what turned out to be a thrilling five set match. Having lost the first two sets following a sprightly start from the young European, currently ranked No. 48 in the world, he fought back to defy the odds and win the last three sets to take him through to the second round and a potential match-up against one of the real big names on the circuit.

Sweeting is currently ranked number 65 in the world, and as such was not heavily favoured in the build-up to this tie, but he showed his true colours with a range of powerful ground-strokes and some big serves, and deservedly walked away with a priceless victory under his belt. Anyone watching would have been thrilled by the match, regardless of whether they had placed a Wimbledon bet or not.

This season Sweeting won the first ATP World Tour singles title of his career when he beat the ever-dangerous Japanese player Kei Nishikori in the US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston, and has shown himself to be equally impressive on grass by entirely dominating his first round opponent from the second the third set began. If the Wimbledon betting suggested he was on the verge of being knocked out, he soon changed that.

Quite what was wrong with him in the opening couple of sets may require something of an inquest, and to be honest Sweeting appeared as confused as anyone when he spoke after the match.

“I don’t know what went wrong at the start of the match – it just wasn’t happening for me out there. But at the end of the second set I had a quiet word with myself, reminded myself to do the basics and I feel he [Anjular] tired, which helped me,” he said.

Sweeting will now join Rafael Nadal, Gilles Muller, Mardy Fish, Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet in the second round, with matches due to be played on Wednesday and Thursday provided that the weather holds. And given the start shown by the American, he will be unlikely to fear anyone after his scintillating comeback on Monday – even if he once more finds himself down by a couple of sets.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Sweeting claims five-set Wimbledon win

Soderling looking to improve poor Wimbledon record

Bet123 — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:56:35 +0000

Robin Soderling will begin his ninth Wimbledon campaign next week, looking to improve his record that stands at just one quarter-final so far. That came last year when the Swede took eventual champion Rafa Nadal to four sets in their quarter-final before the Spaniard prevailed. Soderling had played some stunning tennis on his way to the latter stages of the tournament but once again came up short against the top players.

That had been the tale of Soderling’s career to date. The 26-year-old has been highly unfortunate to have come into the game at the same time as Roger Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The trio have dominated the game for the last few years and Soderling has often found his path to titles have been blocked by one of the three. He did start this year in positive form though, picking up three titles in the early part of the season but the Wimbledon odds 2011 indicate he will struggle to see of any of the big four.

Confidence would have been high for Soderling heading to Roland Garros for last month’s French Open. The Swede had reached back-to-back finals in 2009 and 2010 but couldn’t make it a hat-trick, Nadal once again proving the thorn in Soderling’s side on the way to his sixth French Open title. The focus for the powerful Swede then will have switched to next week at Wimbledon. Soderling will start the tournament as the fifth seed and is widely expected to threaten once again this year although those who bet on tennis will know he has to do something special to get into the semis.

Soderling’s sweeping forehand winner and destructive serve were the main reasons behind his relative success 12 months ago, and both aspects will need to be at their best if he is to go further this time around. The grass-surface suits Soderling’s game down to a ground but the Swede will need to get over the mental side of beating the best players at the major tournaments.

Soderling’s rivals this week won’t be clamouring to draw the big-hitting Swede until they have to. If he gets on top of a match and gets those huge serves clicking, then this could well be the year that Soderling goes on to win a Grand Slam.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Soderling looking to improve poor Wimbledon record