Bet123 Online Betting Blog » Tennis

Davis Cup Betting

Bet123 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:47:53 +0000

The Davis Cup sponsored by BNP Paribas final takes place between Spain and Czech Republic in Barcelona, Spain, between 4th and 6th December. In the Davis Cup betting odds, the home team Spain are clear favourites, skybet offering 1/8 about the Spaniards, whose full strength team includes Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez.
Czech Republic can be backed at 5/1 in the Davis Cup betting odds with skybet, which may represent good value with shrewd tennis bettors. Czech Republic have named a strong, challenging team of Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych, Jan Hajek and Lukas Dlouhy.

Although Spain are clear favourites in the Davis Cup betting, two of their top players did not fare too well at last week’s ATP tour finals at London’s O2 Arena. Indeed, neither of them won a match. Rafael Nadal did not even win a set, as he lost 2-0 in three successive matches to Novak Djokovic, Robin Soderling and Nikolay Davydenko. Fernando Verdasco fared little better, as he lost successive matches to Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro. Verdasco, however, did at least show glimpses of brilliance and good form, such as when he took the opening game of the tournament off Roger Federer.
Rafael Nadal, the star player of the tournament, actually made his Davis Cup debut against Czech Republic back in 2004. Then, he lost his opening two rubbers, but beat Radek Stepanek to secure victory for Spain in the deciding fifth rubber. Will history repeat itself? Bet on every match, including in-play Davis Cup betting, with Sky Bet.

Bet on the Davis Cup with Sky Bet and get a free £10 bet.

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Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Davis Cup Betting

Andy Murray Odds

Bet123 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:46:12 +0000

Andy Murray is a true rarity – a successful British Tennis player. He is currently the highest-ranked British Tennis player, and ranked Number 2 in the world, behind Roger Federer (Rankings correct as of 17th August 2009). Born in Scotland in 1987, he plays his best game on fast surfaces such as a hard court, although he has since been working hard on improving his game on clay. He is respected as one of the hardest trainers in the game, constantly striving to reach optimum fitness and ability, and that is refected in his results.

Get a Free £25 bet on any Andy Murray match/tournament when you open a new Blue Square account today. Conditions apply – see website for full details.

He won his first major tournament (the Qatar ExxonMobil Open) in 2008, beating top seed and world No.4 Nikolay Davydenko along the way, propelling Murray into the World Top 10. In all, he has won 13 tournaments thus far, and no doubt has many more in his sights (he is after all still only 22), including of course Wimbledon and the US Open, where he finished as Runner-up to Roger Federer in 2008.

We have collated the odds for the forthcoming events that Andy Murray is competing in below, so you can quickly find the very latest odds at your fingertips.

US Open Odds:

Australian Open Odds:

Wimbledon Odds:

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Andy Murray Odds

French Open Betting – Nadal to win?

Bet123 — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:18:44 +0000

With Nadal looking to win his fifth French Open in as many years, and French Open betting dominated by the King of Clay, is there anybody who can halt his charge

Keywords: French Open Betting, Tennis, Nadal

World No.1 Rafael Nadal started the defence of his French Open tennis title on Sunday, and the question currently on all French Open betting fans lips will be; can anyone stop him? After breezing through his first round match as expected and being pretty much imperious on clay for the last five years, it looking pretty unlikely.

Nadal’s half of the draw throws up a few tricky opponents in the shape of Fernando Verdasco, Nikolay Davydenko and Britain’s Andy Murray, as all three have either beaten Nadal or pushed him very close in the last year. However, these matches all occurred on hardcourts, and none of them have seriously challenged Nadal on clay before. French Open betting fans would therefore be brave to bet against Nadal reaching the final this year.

In the final, it seems highly likely that he’ll meet Federer or Djokovic, and both seem interesting prospects. Djokovic has lost to Nadal four times on clay already this year, but he pushed him very close in a couple of those matches and he seems to be returning to the form that brought him the Australian Open title last year. Similarly, Federer has had a torrid time against Nadal on the red stuff. However, Federer’s victory over Nadal at the Madrid Masters recently will fill him with confidence, as he looks to add the only Grand Slam title missing from his resume.

Sky Bet have priced up a number of French Open betting markets to grab your interest on the Spanish superstar. Sky Bet’s tennis betting odds compiler Chris Kennedy said “We have taken the view that Rafael Nadal is almost unstoppable on clay and it’s more a question of can anyone take a set of him in Paris rather than actually beating him. As such we’ve come up with a number of intriguing online markets to keep your interest in what is likely to be a one-sided men’s tournament.”

Sky Bet are offering online markets on Rafael Nadal to win the French Open title without dropping a set at 4/1, on how many times Nadal will win a set 6-0 (its 3/1 none, 2/9 win any) and if any of Nadal’s matches will go to 5 sets in the tournament at 11/4.

Sky Bet also have some long-term online markets on Rafael Nadal with 10/1 offered that remains World No.1 without interruption until the end of 2011. Its also 5/1 that he passes Pete Sampras record of 14 grand slam wins during his career and a whopping 200/1 that he can make a magical 20 grand slam victories.

Click here to open a new account with Sky Bet!

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

French Open Betting – Nadal to win?

French Open Betting

Bet123 — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:22:20 +0000

The French Open is the only tennis open played in a stadium – Roland Garros – named after a French aviation hero. It is also the one clay-court Grand Slam, and French Open betting fans always look forward to the thrills kicked-up by the slowest-playing surface. Some of the year’s longest rallies will take place in the tournament as the men and women battle it out to be crowned the king and queens of clay respectively. It’s no wonder the French Open has the biggest worldwide audience of them all.

Rafael Nadal heads into the tournament as the untouchable 1/3 favourite in the French Open betting at Sky Bet and looks set to bag his fifth consecutive clay-court major. The Spanish Bull charged to victory last year without dropping a set and is priced at 3/1 to repeat that feat once again.

It’s difficult to realistically see anyone troubling Nadal over five sets on this surface and as such, Sky Bet have come up with a number of Nadal specials to enhance your French Open betting options. How many games and sets will Nadal lose in the tournament? Who will Nadal meet in the French Open tennis final? How many sets will Nadal win 6-0 or 6-1? These are just some of the numerous unique French Open betting markets that Sky Bet will be offering.

Andy Murray has made big waves in the past 12 months and his goal will be to surpass his 3rd round performance from last year. He either tends to be loved or hated and for the latter, the price of 6/1 for him to be knocked out in the opening round may well make mischievous appeal. For those of you who like to cheer him on, the 4/1 on him to reach the final may give you a sporting run, whilst the dreamers may speculate on the 12/1 on Murray to win the French Open outright.

In the women’s French Open betting things are much more open. Since the departure of Justine Henin (the four time champion) in 2007, no one has put stamped their authority as the undisputed queen of clay. Ana Ivanovic took the title last year, but her form has dropped dramatically since then and she looks a shadow of her former self. Jelena Jankovic has been installed as the ante-post favourite as 6/1, but she has yet to prove herself in Grand Slams and some are doubtful she has the nerve to cope with her favourite tag. Second and third in the French Open betting are Serena Williams and Dinara Safina, who contested Australian Open Final this year. Could we see another clash of big hitters at the French?

There are other numerous French Open betting options available at Sky Bet which may tickle your fancy as well as a comprehensive online betting in-play service which will include up to 16 live markets for the feature matches.

Click here to open a new account with Sky Bet!

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

French Open Betting

Australian Open 2009 – Mens – A betting review

Bet123 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:47:37 +0000

Australian Open 2009 – Mens

This year’s Australian Open is just around the corner and sportingbet are on the case with all the odds for the opening Grand Slam of the season. Looking at the Outright market one thing stands out straight away, Andy Murray has officially moved up alongside the ‘Big 3’ players of world tennis and therefore created a ‘Big 4’.

Not only that, but he’s a shorter price for outright glory than two of them!

Three time winner Roger Federer remains 5/2 favourite at the head of sportingbet’s market, with the enigmatic Scotsman just a shade behind him at 11/4.

So where are Nadal and Djokovic? Well, obviously not too far away, but both can be backed at 7/2 for 2009 glory in Melbourne. If you think that Djokovic can repeat last year’s win or if Nadal can raise his game on his least favourite, hardcourt surface, then it certainly looks a fair price.

So what about the others? Is there really such a vast gulf in quality that we can consider just 4 players as potential winners of this year’s Australian Open?

Almost, but not quite.

There’s often an unexpected name in the latter stages of these big tournaments and last year was no different as Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, battled his way past most of the big names only to be undone by an in-form Djokovic in the final. He can be backed at 16/1 for this year’s tournament with 2008’s big improver, Juan Marin Del Potro at 20/1. Below that it’s the sometimes mercurial David Nalbandian at 33/1 with Gael Monfils at the same price. For US fans, if you think this is the year that the power of Andy Roddick could win the day, 50/1 is your reward!

Check sportingbet’s market now and make your own mind up!

Outright Winner

Roger Federer 5/2

Andy Murray 11/4

Novak Djokovic 7/2

Rafael Nadal 7/2

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 16/1

Juan Martin Del Porto 20/1

Gael Monfils 33/1

David Nalbandian 33/1

Andy Roddick 50/1

Gilles Simon 50/1

Lleyton Hewitt 66/1

Marcos Baghdatis 100/1

James Blake 100/1

Richard Gasquet 100/1

Prices correct as of 11.00 Friday January 9^th 2009

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Australian Open 2009 – Mens – A betting review

Tennis 2009 Specials

Bet123 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:23:34 +0000

TENNIS 2009 SPECIALS

It was a vintage year of tennis in 2008 with Rafael Nadal dethroning Roger Federer at Wimbledon and Novak Djokovic winnings his first ever Grand Slam back in January. sportingbet have priced up a whole host of 2009 specials. Of course we see Andy Murray starting to win his matches now too, how will he do this afternoon in the Qatar Open? The best odds can be found on the Qatar Open odds page.

As discussed it was all about Rafa in 2008 but how fare the best in the Grand Slams in 2009?

Grand Slam Performance 2009

Rafael Nadal to win all four Grand Slams 33/1

Rafael Nadal to win three Grand Slams 9/2

Roger Federer to win all four Grand Slams 66/1

Roger Federer to win no Grand Slams 21/10

Novak Djokovic to win one Grand Slam 7/5

Novak Djokovic to win no Grand Slams 3/5

Andy Murray to win two Grand Slams 7/1

Andy Murray to win one Grand Slam 5/4

Andy Murray to win no Grand Slams 4/6

Other Specials

Here are some other specials for you to get stuck into before the start of the new tennis season with sportingbet.

Will All 4 Grand Slams Be Won By The Big 4?

Yes 1/3

No 2/1

Will Federer Pass Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam Record Of 14

Yes 2/1

No 1/3

Rafael Nadal To Go Unbeaten On Clay In 2009

Yes 9/4

No 2/7

Who Will Finish Higher In The 2009 ATP Race?

Novak Djokovic 3/4

Andy Murray EVS

Andy Roddick 8/15

David Nalbandian 11/8

Other Useful pages:

Tennis: Men’s Winner 2009

Wimbledon Men’s Winner 2009

Andy Murray Special: How many Grand Slams will Andy Murray win in 2009?

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Tennis 2009 Specials

Tennis Fed Cup Betting

Bet123 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:27:14 +0000

TENNIS – FED CUP BETTING – 13th to 14th SEPTEMBER

The 46th Fed Cup sees Spain meet Russia for the first time at the Final stage. Russia has a 4-1 lead in head-to-heads, the most recent meeting being in 2007, with Russia winning that first round tie 5-0. However, the Spanish team is undoubtedly stronger now. Even without several top players, Russia boast a line-up containing two players ranked in the world top 10. Russia is no.1 in the Fed Cup rankings, having been successful 12 times and will start as overwhelming favourites, offered at 1/5 with Betfair, with the Spaniards at 5/2 with the same firm.

With the Russian team below strength, Spain has a chance in this final, with Virginia Ruano Pascal and Anabel Medina Garrigues having picked up a doubles silver medal at the Beijing Olympics. Nuria Llagostera Vives and Medina Garrigues are both unbeaten in Fed Cup singles matches in 2008. With the home support at the Club de Campo and the current “feel good factor” in Spanish tennis, it should be an entertaining and fascinating weekend.

TEAM PROFILES

Spain

Anabel Medina
Medina, from Valencia, is Spain’s top-ranked singles player. As the only member of the Spanish team ranked in the world’s top 50 (26), she is likely to play both singles and doubles. She is the current French Open doubles champion partnering team-mate Virginia Ruano Pascual. She has won her last four Fed Cup singles matches, beating some useful opposition, but has never beaten a top-10 player.

Carla Suarez-Navarro
The diminutive Suarez-Navarro, from the Canaries, reached the quarter-finals of the 2008 French Open as a qualifier. Her singles debut in the Fed Cup, away to China in the semi-finals, was also impressive, beating the experienced Peng Shuai in straight sets. She is not yet 20 and world-ranked 51, but has the ability to surprise the more distinguished Russians.

Nuria Llagostera Vives
Mallorca’s top female player hasn’t managed to achieve the heights of compatriot Rafael Nadal, but has been a great asset in the Fed Cup. Following a severe wrist injury in 2006, she slipped to 686 in the world rankings, but has worked herself back into the top 100 (93). The 5ft. 1in. “pocket rocket” was Spain’s star in April’s semi-final against China, beating Zhen Jive and Peng Shuai in straight sets to see Spain to victory. Dependent on whether Medina is saved for the doubles, she may play singles on the second day.

Virginia Ruano Pascual
The most successful and experienced of the Spanish players has won 41 doubles titles, nine of them in Grand Slam events. Her partnership with Argentina’s Paola Suarez was one of the most successful in recent years, the pair winning all the major doubles titles except Wimbledon. She has subsequently teamed up with Fed Cup team-mate Medina Garrigues to win four titles, plus an Olympic silver medal. Approaching 35, but by no means included just for her experience. She has been ranked in the 30s in the singles, but is likely to play only doubles in Madrid.

Russia

Svetlana Kuznetsova
World-ranked no. 4, Kuznetsova is the most talented of the Russian players. However, her confidence has suffered in recent months. A losing finalist three times early in the season, she reached the French Open semi-finals, but capitulated tamely against Dinara Safina, losing 3-6, 2-6. A knee injury may be partly to blame for subsequent lacklustre performances, but looks less than invincible at present. She has, however, played in two Fed Cup finals, losing both singles against France in 2004, but winning the match that gave Russia the 2007 Cup.

Vera Zvonareva
Appeared to lose he way in 2005 / 2006, but has bounced back with a great 2008, winning her sixth career title in Prague and a bronze medal at the Olympics. World-ranked 10 and a tough opponent with a proven record in Fed Cup finals.

Ekaterina Makarova
20-year-old Ekaterina Makarova, from Moscow, finds herself with a daunting task, making her Fed Cup debut in the Final. She has a world singles ranking of 56 and is only the tenth-best Russian player. Her world doubles ranking of 68 also makes her the tenth-ranked Russian. However, she has won nine titles on the ITF Futures circuit, which presumably is the major reason for her inclusion in the squad for Madrid, ahead of higher-ranked players.

Elena Vesnina
Ranked a lowly 71 in the world, Elena Vesnina clearly fits well into a squad of more illustrious players. She has played seven Fed Cup ties, winning three from four doubles matches, including a defeat (with Nadia Petrova) of
Lisa Raymond and Venue Williams in the 2007 semi-finals. The 22-year-old has also been in the top 50 in singles, having reached the fourth round of the 2006 Australian Open.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Tennis Fed Cup Betting

US Open – Murray to go all the Way?

Max Hammond — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:34:55 +0000

The US Open is turning into a real corker for this year’s contestants. First up Nadal has knocked Federer off the top spot as number one seed, ending Federer’s 235 consecutive week record at the top of the ATP rankings. Entering into the US Open Grand Slam competition, Nadal is looking to capitalise on his current winning streak, and maintain his number one seed position. Federer on the other hand, hasn’t really been on top form for most of this year, and will be looking for some consolation in making this year’s US Open his 5th consecutive win at this Grand Slam tournament.

Murray is next to grab our attention. He’s been building on his successes in Wimbledon and has now managed to secure a place in the Semi Finals. He will be playing Nadal, but with his current form, there’s a chance that he could give Nadal a run for his money.

The bookies do however have him in fourth place going into the semi finals. If you think that he has a chance you can get 11/1 from VC Bet who are currently offering the best odds. Nadal has odds of 6/5 from Stan James, whereas Federer’s are 12/5 from Ladbrokes. Djokovic, who got booed from court after his last game has odds of just 7/2, which I guess are short as Federer’s gameplay cannot be guaranteed any more.

As far as Murray’s match with Nadal goes, you’d expect Nadal to be the favourite by far, but this isn’t the case. The best odds available for Nadal to win are from Paddy Power 1/4, whereas Murray’s odds are only 7/2 (currently with Sporting Bet).

It’s giong to be an interesting match, and one that I am eagerly awaiting. The prospect of a final in a Grand Slam tournament which doesn’t have Nadal and Federer in it seems to be quite possible, and that would be something we haven’t seen in a while.

All odds are correct at the time of writing, please check our US Open Odds page for the current best odds.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

US Open – Murray to go all the Way?

2008 Pilot Pen Betting

Jason Tynan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:07:52 +0000

2008 PILOT PEN TOURNAMENT BETTING – 18th TO 24th AUGUST

The Pilot Pen tennis tournament, held at the Connecticut Tennis Centre at Yale University in New Haven, is the last stop before the U.S. Open in New York, the final Grand Slam of the season. The last event in the season-long U.S. Open Series, the Pilot Pen offers a combined $1.25 million in prize money for men’s and women’s tournaments, held concurrently in the 15,000-seat stadium and the adjacent 22 field courts. The men’s tournament features a 48-player main draw and the women’s event a 28-player main draw. Get a free £25 Bet on the 2008 ATP Pilot Pen when you open an account with Blue Square

Leading Contenders

MEN’S SINGLES
The men’s competition includes just eight of the world’s top 50 ranked players, with Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, the world no.13, by far the highest-ranked competitor. Verdasco was runner-up in the 2007 St. Petersburg Open, playing some brilliant tennis to reach the final without losing a set. However, he lost the final to Scot Andy Murray 2-6, 3-6. Although capable on all surfaces, he has only won two ATP titles, the most recent ATP victory in Umag, Croatia earlier this season. His only previous win was in Valencia in 2004. However, he reached the fourth round at the French Open and at Wimbledon, where he lost to Mario Ancic in a five-set thriller, the last set lasting over 90 minutes and ending 13-11.

Argentinean Juan Monaco reached the fourth round of the French and US Opens in 2007 and the third round of the 2008 Australian Open. A clay court specialist, he has 3 ATP singles titles (Argentina and Austria twice, in 2007) and a hard court Challenger Tour singles title, dating back to January 2004. This season he has won two ATP doubles titles, in Auckland and Valencia.

Italian Andreas Seppi made the semi-finals of the 2008 Hamburg Masters. His only other recent form is a Challenger Tour success, on clay, in Bergamo, Italy in February 2008.

Russian Igor Andreev is a clay court specialist with one of the best forehands in the game. His best Grand Slam performance has been a 2007 quarter-final appearance at the French Open. His 3 ATP singles titles date back to 2005, but he has been runner-up twice in 2008, at Gstaad in Switzerland and Umag in Croatia.

Mardy Fish, from the USA, reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 Australian Open. He hasn’t won on the ATP tour since 2006, but was runner-up to Novak Djokovic on the hard courts at Indian Wells, losing 2-6, 7-5, 3-6. He also partnered compatriot John Isner to success in a doubles event, on clay, at Newport, USA in July 2008.

Croatian Marin Cilic reached the fourth round of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2008. However, he has never won on the ATP tour and his other recent form amounts to two Challenger Tour victories, on clay, in 2007.

Italian Simone Bolelli reached the third round of the French Open and Wimbledon in 2008. He is another not to win an ATP event, though he picked up two Challenger Tour events, one on hard courts, in 2007.

LADIES SINGLES
Former World No. 1 and dual Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo of France, along with 10 of the world’s top 25 players lead the 2008 women’s field.

Mauresmo, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, will be making her eighth trip to the Pilot Pen where she has had success, reaching the quarter-finals five times (1998-9, 2001-2 and 2006), the semi-final (2003) and final (2005).

Pole Agnieszka Radwanska is enjoying a season that has propelled her to a career-high ranking, reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. It was her second appearance this year in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, with the first coming at the Australian Open. In addition, this year she has won WTA Tour titles in Pattaya City, Istanbul and Eastbourne.

25-year old Slovakian, Daniela Hantuchova, won last year’s US Open and reached the semi-final of this season’s Australian Open, but disappointed at Wimbledon, exiting in the second round.

Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, who reached the 2007 Wimbledon final by defeating World No. 1 Justine Henin, has had a successful 2008, reaching the semi-finals in Paris and Eastbourne.

Hungarian Agnes Szavay got as far as the fourth round at Wimbledon 2008. She had a great run at the Pilot Pen Tennis last year as a qualifier, playing nine matches in eight days. A back injury forced her to retire in the final when leading 6-4, 0-3, against then world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova. This year she has continued her ranking improvement and impressive results include reaching the final in Paris and the quarter-finals in Amelia Island, Charleston and Berlin.

Russian Dinara Safina, who had originally committed to the event, has withdrawn as she has just been added to the Olympics singles competition in addition to the doubles.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

2008 Pilot Pen Betting

WTA Tour Classic Betting – New York

John Lamerton — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:02:05 +0000

WTA TOUR CLASSIC BETTING – NEW YORK – 18th AUGUST

The Forest Hills Women’s Tennis Classic is a tennis tournament held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. Held since 2004, this WTA Tour event is a Tier IV tournament, played on outdoor hard courts. It is a preparation tournament for the last Grand Slam event of the year, the U.S. Open. The tournament is a fairly low-grade affair, involving just sixteen players. The 2008 event has only attracted three players ranked in the world’s top 50. Get a free £25 bet on Tennis when you open an account with Blue Square

Leading Contenders

Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier (world-ranked 46) has received wildcards into French Open tournaments in singles since 2005 and in doubles since 2004. She reached the second round of the 2007 U.S. Open, as a qualifier, losing to Martina Hingis. She has won four ITF singles titles, and two ITF doubles titles. Parmentier won her first WTA Tour title in October 2007, at the Tashkent Open in Uzbekistan. Her second WTA win (and first Tier III) came in Austria in July 2008.

New Zealander Marina Erakovic (49) has 14 ITF titles to her name, 9 singles and 5 doubles, 2 of each coming in the 2008 season. She also won a WTA doubles title at the Dutch Ordina Open in June 2008.

Chinese Shuai Peng (50) beat former World no.1 and 5-time Grand Slam winner Martina Hingis in the 2007 China Open, winning 7-5, 6-1 in the final match if Hingis’ professional career. In January 2008, Peng beat no.1 seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-1, 6-3, in the semi-final of an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong. She also has 2 WTA doubles titles to her name, both gained on hard courts in China (September 2007) and India (March 2008).

Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro (55) reached the quarter-finals of the 2008 French Open. She has also won 6 ITF singles titles and 4 ITF doubles titles.

Czech Iveta Benesova (56) reached the third round of the 2008 French Open. She has also won a Tier III WTA title, though that was in Mexico in 2004. This season she has won an ITF singles title in Italy, and was runner-up in Estoril, as well as collecting ITF doubles titles in Colombia and Sweden.

Russian Ekaterina Makarova (57), though not yet achieving much main-draw success on the WTA Tour, has won one ITF $25,000 title and two $10,000 titles, reached the third round at two Grand Slams (2007 US Open and 2008 Australian Open), one $75,000 ITF semi-final, two $50,000 semi-finals, two $50,000 quarter-finals, three $25,000 finals, and three $25,000 semi-finals.

Swiss Timea Bacsinszky (60) has 6 ITF singles and 4 ITF doubles titles under her belt. She made an excellent start to 2008 by reaching the semi-final of the Tier II Proximus Diamond Games in Antwerp, winning three qualifying matches before beating third seed Daniela Hantuchova in a retirement. She then won the first set against world no. 1 Justine Henin, before losing the next two.

Russian Vera Dushevina (62) won the Wimbledon girls’ title in 2002, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final.
In 2005 she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, along with her first WTA singles final at Eastbourne, finishing runner-up to former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters. It took two years to reach her second, losing in straight sets to Agnieszka Radwańska at the Nordea Nordic Light Open.

Compatriot Elena Vesnina (63) has never yet won a WTA singles title or progressed beyond the semi-final stage at WTA level. However, she reached the fourth round of one Grand Slam (2006 Australian Open) and the third round of two others (Wimbledon 2007 and the 2008 Australian Open), the fourth round of one Tier I WTA event (Miami, 2008) and the third round of another (Miami, 2006), the third round of two Tier II WTA events (Amelia Island, 2006 and again in 2008), five Tier III WTA quarter-finals, two Tier IV WTA semifinals (Forest Hills and Tashkent in 2007), three Tier IV WTA quarterfinals, three ITF $75,000 semifinals, and three ITF $50,000 quarter-finals, and has won one ITF $25,000 title and one ITF $10,000 title outright.

Swede Sofia Arvidsson (69) won a WTA title in Memphis in February 2006. She also has 14 ITF singles titles, the latest coming in May 2008 in Zagreb, Croatia, along with 9 ITF doubles titles.

Czech Petra Cetkovska (70) reached the fourth round of the 2008 French Open, before being whitewashed 6-0, 6-0 by Ana Ivanovic. Since turning professional in 2000, she has amassed 15 ITF singles titles and 16 ITF doubles titles. She also has one WTA doubles title, partnering compatriot Andrea Hlavackova to success in the 2007 Prague Open.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

WTA Tour Classic Betting – New York