Bet123 Online Betting Blog » Tennis

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

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

The US Open challengers in need of a good Wimbledon

Bet123 — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:33:57 +0000

All players of course want to enter the US Open in the best possible form and confidence. A decent Wimbledon helps towards this, but not all players need to be at the top of their game in order to prosper at Flushing Meadows.

Indifferent preparation is not always a problem. Serena Williams is adept at easing her way into majors after missing many preceding tournaments, whilst Kim Clijsters’ comeback success in New York in 2009 further proved that the big names in the women’s game can deliver when supposedly short of form and match practice. Those looking at the US Open 2011 betting should remember this.

Others benefit from lowered expectations – Roger Federer thrived at the recent French Open due to attention being diverted towards Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. A shock exit at Wimbledon in the manner of last year’s quarter final defeat would not necessarily harm Federer’s chances at the US Open, but it would help those who intend to back him. Nadal’s self-belief is not easily shaken.

The same cannot be said of Djokovic. His stunning form in the first half of the year was based on a supreme confidence in his own ability and it is only natural that some of this has diminished since losing his classic Roland Garros semi final to Federer.

The Serb might be in one way relieved to have had his winning streak ended, but he needs to prove he can challenge at majors when not in the purple patch he recently enjoyed. Another semi final defeat by Federer would set him back ahead of Flushing Meadows and the US Open tennis betting will no doubt reflect this.

Caroline Wozniacki is gaining a reputation as a player who cannot lift a game that sees her dominate many tour events for the slams. A run to the last four at SW19 would not silence the world number one’s doubters, but it would help restore confidence that was badly damaged in the French Open.

Maria Sharapova would be helped by confirming her recent renaissance is not a temporary phenomenon, but most other leading women will relish being out of the spotlight in New York. Until the under-pressure Wozniacki wins a major, it is a place she will need to get used to.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

The US Open challengers in need of a good Wimbledon

Watson makes British tennis history

Bet123 — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:00:14 +0000

Heather Watson became the first British woman to win a match at the French Open in 17 years after she defeated Stephanie Foretz Gacon yesterday.

The 19-year-old won 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 and she is now expected to break into the top 100 players in the world on the back of this tournament. Her victory came in 96 minutes.

The last British woman to progress to the 2nd round at Roland Garros was Clare Wood back in 1994, so this was a significant achievement for Watson and for British tennis.

Watson was very impressive on the day too, fighting her way to a tie-break win in the first set before storming to a second set victory. She showed excellent composure to defeat her more experienced opponent and she will now face 16th seed Kaia Kanepi in the next round.

Speaking afterwards, Watson gave an insight into her attitude:I just stayed calm and said, ‘If I lose this point it doesn’t matter, I’m just going to keep fighting.’ If I lost the set it would have been a fresh start, new set, keep fighting.”

With regards to breaking into the top 100, she admitted: “That’s been my goal. I actually wanted to break into the top 100 by the end of the year so I’m going to have to set new goals for myself. I’m so pleased with that.”

Many critics or those looking at tennis betting tips might label her victory in France as a one-off of course. British tennis comes in for a fair amount of stick and the fact that Watson is the first woman to make the 2nd round in 17 years says a lot.

However, after achieving the feat, Watson is very positive about her future and that of British tennis. She clearly believes good times are ahead with several younger players starting to make an impact.

On this issue, she said: “There’s Laura [Robson] coming up – and on the boys’ side there’s George Morgan and Olly Golding. I think we’re doing really well and we’re starting to see that hard work.”

Of course Watson will be the underdog as far as tennis betting pundits are concerned when she takes on Kanepi in the next round, but she will be determined to continue where she left off and prove that she has what it takes to put a run together in a major tournament.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Watson makes British tennis history

New balls will not help defending champions

Bet123 — Tue, 24 May 2011 09:20:40 +0000

A big talking point at this year’s French Open is the use of a different brand of tennis balls. Babolat has replaced the well-established Dunlop brand on an initial five-year deal at Roland Garros and the implications can be significant.

The new balls are quicker through the air, due to their greater resistance to moisture. The balls’ fluffy coating keeps its shape better than other brands, which helps the big servers and is bad news for defending champions Rafael Nadal and Francesca Schiavone, who thrive in the traditional slow conditions associated with clay court tennis. Those placing French Open tennis bets should remember this.

Nadal of course won’t be too put out by the change – he would not have won two Wimbledon titles if he cannot handle faster conditions – but the change of balls undoubtedly plays into the hands of Novak Djokovic, whose current monster serve is under-pinning his amazing recent form.

Djokovic edged out Nadal in Madrid, a high-altitude tournament that plays faster than most events, which not coincidentally, has been won ‘only’ twice by Nadal. The Serb does not need a foot-up in his challenge for a maiden French Open title, but he has been given one nonetheless. Roger Federer and Andy Murray will also not be displeased by this new development and free bet tennis fans need to bear this in mind.

Schiavone will be more concerned, as her crafty game of slice and variation leaves her vulnerable to the big hitters. Sam Stosur has the big serve to capitalise and will be the player most pleased by the introduction of Babolat balls. Julia Goeges and Petra Kvitova might also think their chances have improved.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

New balls will not help defending champions