shantystar
06-23-2008, 09:36 AM
Marc Gicquel http://www.betshoot.com/images/vs.gif Kei Nishikori
Even though I find tennis probably the most difficult for betting out of the sports I follow closely, I'm going to try to get a few wins out of Wimbledon this year, starting on the first day.
As it's the first round of a grand slam event, most of the favourites will probably win and the odds are very short so we'll have to look for a bit of value in outsiders who have the ability to surprise, perhaps against an opponent who is not so comfortable on the grass or faster surfaces.
An interesting game that we can look at today is Gicquel vs Nishikori - the first meeting between the two players and both will probably see this as a big opportunity to get into the second round here, as neither player has an imposing record on grass or in slams.
Gicquel's best performance at a slam was a 4th round effort at the US Open in 2006 where he had wins over Ferrero and Gaudio. As far as Wimbledon goes, he has only played just the once last year, when he lost in the first round to Hernych. Not exactly a great pedigree. In terms of grasscourt form, he played just the one lead in tournament in Halle, where he lost in the first round to Beck from Germany in three tight sets.
He did lose a close four setter to Robredo at the French this year and had a win over Wawrinka at the Australian Open (retired), but overall there is nothing in his grand slam performances to date that suggests he should win this match easily.
Nishikori is playing his first grand slam match so there is obviously a lot of risk involved with picking him to win here because we don't know how he will respond to the pressure. However, he is a good young player and has some recent grass court form, beating Falla and Patience at Queens and taking Nadal to a third set in that tournament, which is very encouraging, however he did retire in Nottingham a set down to Johansson due to an abdominal strain and that has to be a concern.
Gicquel is rightly favourite here because of his higher ranking and greater experience and he is certainly capable of winning this. But, assuming the injury is not affecting him, I see no reason to think that Nishikori can't be right in this match and seriously challenging for a spot in the second round. The fact that this is his first grand slam match is a definite worry, but hopefully he can overcome the nerves associated with such an occasion and settle into the match quickly. If he can, an upset might be on the cards.
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Pick : Nishikori Win
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Odds : 2.95
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Stake : 5 / 10
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Bookmaker : Centrebet (http://www.betshoot.com/centrebet)
Even though I find tennis probably the most difficult for betting out of the sports I follow closely, I'm going to try to get a few wins out of Wimbledon this year, starting on the first day.
As it's the first round of a grand slam event, most of the favourites will probably win and the odds are very short so we'll have to look for a bit of value in outsiders who have the ability to surprise, perhaps against an opponent who is not so comfortable on the grass or faster surfaces.
An interesting game that we can look at today is Gicquel vs Nishikori - the first meeting between the two players and both will probably see this as a big opportunity to get into the second round here, as neither player has an imposing record on grass or in slams.
Gicquel's best performance at a slam was a 4th round effort at the US Open in 2006 where he had wins over Ferrero and Gaudio. As far as Wimbledon goes, he has only played just the once last year, when he lost in the first round to Hernych. Not exactly a great pedigree. In terms of grasscourt form, he played just the one lead in tournament in Halle, where he lost in the first round to Beck from Germany in three tight sets.
He did lose a close four setter to Robredo at the French this year and had a win over Wawrinka at the Australian Open (retired), but overall there is nothing in his grand slam performances to date that suggests he should win this match easily.
Nishikori is playing his first grand slam match so there is obviously a lot of risk involved with picking him to win here because we don't know how he will respond to the pressure. However, he is a good young player and has some recent grass court form, beating Falla and Patience at Queens and taking Nadal to a third set in that tournament, which is very encouraging, however he did retire in Nottingham a set down to Johansson due to an abdominal strain and that has to be a concern.
Gicquel is rightly favourite here because of his higher ranking and greater experience and he is certainly capable of winning this. But, assuming the injury is not affecting him, I see no reason to think that Nishikori can't be right in this match and seriously challenging for a spot in the second round. The fact that this is his first grand slam match is a definite worry, but hopefully he can overcome the nerves associated with such an occasion and settle into the match quickly. If he can, an upset might be on the cards.
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Pick : Nishikori Win
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Odds : 2.95
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Stake : 5 / 10
http://www.betshoot.com/images/arrow.gif Bookmaker : Centrebet (http://www.betshoot.com/centrebet)