Boise State Should Be Your NCAA Football Prop Pick vs Gators
August 31, 2010
BetOnline Sportsbook has a bevy of options available for you to sink your teeth into for preseason college football betting action.
Today, we look at who will finish higher in the final USA Today Poll for our NCAA football props analysis: Florida or Boise State?
When analyzing these two teams, there are two very important factors to consider. The first is the schedule each possesses. Florida’s going to have some very losable games, including duels at Florida State, Tennessee, and Alabama that could pose a real threat.
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NCAA Football Odds
Florida Gators -165
Boise State Broncos +125
Boise State really only should have two challenges the entire year in the form of a neutral site game against Virginia Tech (that will play like a road game next week at FedEx Field) and a roadie at Nevada.
Unlike Boise State though, the Gators are going to have to break in an entirely new team since 11 starters departed to take their skills to the NFL. The Broncos only lost one to the pros, that being Kyle Wilson who now straps it up for Rex Ryan’s New York Jets; twenty of the other 21 starters return.
Florida is also going to get a taste of what it’s like breaking in a bit of a new offense. Charlie Strong, the team’s previous offense coordinator is now the head coach at Louisville. With Tim Tebow moving on, John Brantley is going to need to install a bit more of a drop back and throw the ball type of look than one with gimmicky runs and options.
The other thing to consider is the fact that the Broncos aren’t going to have a WAC Championship to worry about. They are -4000 to capture the division title already and don’t have a title game to play in.
Even though the Gators are likely to lose at least one SEC game at some point, they will still be good enough to play in the SEC Championship Game where they will probably run into the Alabama Crimson Tide for a second time on the year.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are going to be playing for style points. It’s hard to imagine Florida beating teams in the SEC by as much as Boise since it will embarrass many of its WAC foes.
Even if Boise State does trip once and Florida trips twice, we’re basically in a 50/50 proposition going into the bowl games. We absolutely have to take our chances at this point with the Broncos, knowing that they have commanded and earned the respect of the pollsters. If they finish with fewer losses than the Gators, odds have it, they will get the nod in the final USA Today poll.
Boise State should be your NCAA football prop selection when pitted against the Gators.
US Open 2010 Betting – Jankovic and Kuznetsova in Day 2 Early Action
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows, New York – Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova highlight first round action on day 2 of the US Open. Jankovic takes to Arthur Ashe Stadium bright and early for her opening fixture against Simona Halep of Romania. Meanwhile, former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova gets things going on Grandstand Stadium against veteran Kimiko Date Krumm.
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Tennis Betting Line: Jelena Jankovic -500 Simona Halep +300
Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time (08:00 AM Pacific Time) Tuesday August 31, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Jelena Jankovic, the No.4 seed at the US Open, receives the honour of opening the day’s card at Arthur Ashe stadium when she takes on 18-year-old, qualifier Simona Halep of Romania. It is their first-ever meeting.
The bookies give Jankovic the favourite nod – no surprise there. She is listed as the -500 favourite to advance and in terms of her ranking and experience in the game, this is a match she should be done with as quickly as breakfast. Add to that the fact that there is nothing on the fledgling’s resume that suggest she is poised to make an upset Jelena Jankovic is the smart play and Halep, therefore, listed at +300, is a long shot bet.
Jankovic hasn’t been very sharp lately and that might have some entertain betting against her. It would be disingenuous to claim that this act is in anyway tied to her opponent. It is down to her (JJ that is) ambivalence of late.
At the US Open Series she’s played to 1-3 mark and aside from losing to a serious playmaker in No.28 Kleybanova her other losses were rather bizarre bow outs to middleweights (if not lightweights) No.117 Amanmuradova and No.75 Benesova.
Not to harp on her crappy play of late, but I have to say that given this trend I wouldn’t be surprised if she does flame out against Halep. It would be par for the course. For now though, if you don’t mind, I will back her to win, tentatively.
Tennis Free Picks: Jankovic in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Svetlana Kuznetsova -1600 Kimiko Date Krumm +700
Match Time: 11:00 AM Eastern Time (08:00 AM Pacific Time) Tuesday August 31, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Svetlana Kuznetsova has put in a lot of work this summer to prepare for the US Open. She won her first title on the season in San Diego and reached the semis in Montreal two weeks ago. Overall, she’s played to an 8-3 mark over the US Open series.
It remains to be seen whether all this hard work will come in handy because she ‘s been dealt a tough opening match against Kimiko Date Krumm. She might be 39-years-old our dear Kimiko but she is one of the fittest players on the tour right now. And tenacious I might add.
It will be the first time Kuznetsova and Krumm collide when they get their US Open campaigns underway. Kuznetsova gets the favourite nod and quite the confident one at that, listed as she is at -1600.
Krumm meanwhile is listed at +700. Krumm is a much better player than her price tag would suggest she is and I believe she can really give Sveta something to think about. It would be misleading to assume the Japanese veteran will be a cakewalk.
Tennis Free Picks: Kuznetsova in three sets
US Open 2010 Betting – Djokovic vs. Troicki
August 31, 2010
New York, USA – The billing between Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki is the popcorn match of the day. The all-Serbian affair follows the Jankovic vs. Halep affair at Arthur Ashe Stadium, tipped for early afternoon hours. As most self-respecting tennis followers know, this isn’t the most favourable time of day for Djokovic. He has a wee issue with heat and it can’t be helpful that on top of drawing a tough opponent in Troicki in the first round, he’ll also have to battle the elements – the scorching New York sun and balmy humidity.
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It is unfortunate that a player’s body can preclude him from playing his best at all times but in the interest of fair play, tournament directors cannot be seen to be making allowances for players that would smack of blatant favouritism.
So high noon it is for Djokovic and he’ll have to suck it up as he attempts to survive and secure his place in the US Open second round.
Tennis Betting Line:
Viktor Troicki +600
Novak Djokovic -1200
Match Time: 12:00 Eastern Time (09:00 AM Pacific Time) Tuesday August 31, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: That the bookies favour Djokovic at a whopping price of -1200 is understandable in terms of his world No.3 ranking and one Grand Slam title – the 2008 Australian Open title. Nevertheless, it would be disingenuous to suggest that Troicki, a +600 puppy, has absolutely no shot here.
True there is sizeable chunk of daylight between himself and his better-known compatriot. But he can hit a mean ball and recently, he hit his way into the Pilot Pen semis.
Before Troicki’s promising turnout in New Haven, Troicki had played to mixed results on the season but he’s clearly found form at the best time possible. Trouble is we don’t know whether he’s peaked or whether the best is yet to come.
I think that at the very least this last run sends him into the US Open with confidence and into this match with some hope.
Djokovic isn’t always a wilting flower. He has overcome extreme conditions in the past but he’s also been defeated by these elements or by both the elements and his opponent at the same time.
In Montreal, Djokovic was visibly struggling under the heat (eyes bulging and breathing heavily), but still managed to overcame both the elements and Benneteau to win 7-5, 7-5.
Last year, at the Australian Open, the opposite happened when Djokovic pulled out of his match against Roddick down two sets to one, citing extreme heat and his inability to go on.
These are but a few instances in a career plagued occasionally with such struggles. Before you go on thinking Novak Djokovic is a bit of a diva, apparently his issues are real and go back to 2005. He’s even had surgery to try to fix his respiratory issues.
Lifetime, Djokovic owns Troicki 4-1, which includes a 2-0 mark on 2010. This head-to-head augurs well for him. It will give him the confidence to win this match. And if he gets off the ground quickly, he might be in and out of the office in the blink of an eye.
Tennis Free Picks: Djokovic in five sets
US Open 2010 Betting Tips – Verdasco and Roddick Highlight
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows – American hopeful Andy Roddick is set to begin his US Open bid against Stephane Robert meanwhile Fernando Verdasco will get his bid underway against Fabio Fognini. Tennis betting action on the US Open takes centre stage this week at BetOnline Sportsbook, so let’s get to it shall we.
Tennis Betting Line: Fabio Fognini +500 Fernando Verdasco -900
Match Time: 10:00 AM Eastern time (7:00 AM Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Fernando Verdasco takes a 2-1 edge over Fabio Fognini into their opening round clash. Their head-to-head is made up of two matches on clay – both of which Verdasco won. And one match on grass, which is the most recent encounter and that Fognini (a clay-court guru) surprising won.
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That the Italian has the most recent tick in the win box, and that it comes on a fast surface like grass, has more than a few looking at this matchup with added interest. It is shaping up to be a most glamorous matchup with some entertaining the possibility of an upset.
Adding fuel to this thought is the fact that Fognini’s win over Verdasco came in the Wimby first round. It follows he could potentially do it again at the US Open, go two-for-two so to speak. Because he did it before makes it no less of an upset if he were to do it again. A second consecutive win over Verdasco would be huge.
The redemption plot suits most bettors as they expect Verdasco to avenge that defeat. He is the favourite to do so listed at -900 at BetOnline.
I have to admit to some trepidation where the Spaniard is concerned, and that is his US Open Series account is left wholly wanting. He’s only played to a 3-3 mark in three events.
A mark like this puts his form into question ahead of the US Open and gives the upset plotline some credence if you ask me. Of course, his supporters could argue its good he didn’t peak before the US Open. The refrain: while others have been busy exhausting themselves at the lesser events, he’s been saving his best for last.
Tennis Free Picks: Verdasco in five sets
Tennis Betting Line: Stephane Robert +1000 Andy Roddick -3300
Match Time: 10:00 AM Eastern time (7:00 AM Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: It will be the first career meeting between Andy Roddick and Stephane Robert when they collide in the US Open first round. The market bookies have rolled out on this matchup is quite straightforward and hardly surprising.
Roddick, America’s favourite son and best hope for the title, is a hotshot favourite at -3300 and Robert is an unassuming puppy, at a whopping +1000 price tag.
Roddick typically has opponents of Robert’s quality for breakfast. It will be a battle of the serve, with Roddick’s holding up to take him to clear victory.
Tennis Free Picks: Roddick in straight sets
US Open 2010 Betting Upset Alert – Murray vs. Lacko
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows – Andy Murray, the third in line to the US Open throne (according to bookmakers worldwide), is set to open his bid for the crown against Slovak Luckas Lacko. And in my mind, there is a serious chance – albeit seriously slim – of an upset here. Mark your calendars because if I am right you will not want to miss this match.
Let it be clear that I am not serving up an airtight conviction that this match will go against the grain. I concede that Murray is probably the better bet (for obvious reasons that we don’t need to get into), the most likely bet to make – yes, cooler heads prevailing – and the most likely to advance into the second round from this matchup.
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I concede all this. At the same time, I can’t help the suspicion niggling the back of my mind that a major upset is on the horizon.
Admittedly, there isn’t much to support this notion save for a few intangibles and some baseless conjecturing. Which isn’t much to go on but that doesn’t make what is already a universally acknowledged slim possibility any less possible.
Hear me out.
Tennis Betting Line: Luckas Lacko +1200 Andy Murray +5000
Match Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time (07:00 Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Unless you are an avid follower of the game, and by that, I mean a devoted disciple of both the Challenger and ATP levels, then you might have not heard of the 22-year-old Slovak export.
Let me then do the introduction honours: the kid has a sick game. His forehand in particular is sick. When he tees off his right wing, it rivals some of the best in the game. His serve is rather solid too and he loves hard courts.
In these strengths, Lacko has the right fundamentals to put forward a good account against Murray. What he lacks is previous giant-killing feats on his CV, feats of similar magnitude that would lend weight to this summation. To date, he has never beaten a top ten player.
He has beaten four former top ten players this season in Lleyton Hewitt (former World No.1 and two-time Grand Slam champion), Ivan Ljubicic (former World No.3), Marcos Baghdatis (former world No. 8), Mikhail Youzhny (former World No.8) and Richard Gasquet (former World No.7).
In Lacko, I see a very interesting prospect and a kid’s whose game is coming together slowly but surely. I think it is only a matter of time before he surprises everybody and I do believe he is a player to watch.
He isn’t the popular dark horse pick of the tournament by any stretch of the imagination, coasting under the radar as he has been this season.
But going back to those wins over the former top ten players, they are just the sort of yardstick that I would measure a player’s potential against. Such wins, regardless whether these players are no longer in their prime, are still good building blocks for a young gun.
I think he can make a statement or impression before he leaves the big apple. And I am picking him to make his first statement here, against Andy Murray.
Tennis Free Picks: Lacko in five sets
US Open Betting Tips – Melzer, Mayer and Tipsarevic
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows, New York – The 2010 US Open is officially underway. The fourth and final Grand Slam of the season is arguably the most gruelling and toughest of the annual quartet to win, but a constant truism that has held up for the most part over the course of this event’s history is that the best player almost always wins.
Outside of the market favourites – Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic – is there a player that can best these so-called best in the game over the fortnight’s course to clinch the title?
Jurgen Melzer, the No.13 seed, leads the advance of the dark horse players in the tournament today when he takes to court against Dmitry Tursunov. Elsewhere, Janko Tipsarevic and Leonardo Mayer begin their bids for the US Open crown.
BetOnline has all the action available on these, and more, matchups. Here is the breakdown of the action, complete with tennis free picks for your consideration.
Tennis Betting Line:
Leonardo Mayer -4½ -125 -300 38 O -120 U -120
Guillaume Rufin +4½ -115 +200 38 O -120 U -120
Match Time: 02:30 PM Eastern Time (11:30 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30,2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Argentinean Leonardo Mayer enters his opening round clash as the solid favourite at -300 at BetOnline while French wildcard entrant Guillaume Rufin goes into this clash as the +200 underdog. This market cast is in tune to their respective standing in the game – Mayer ranks inside the top 100 while Rufin sits just outside the top 200 and therefore, the expectation is that the Argentine will punch at his weight class. Problem is Mayer arrives in Flushing on an eight-match losing streak, a fact that points to questionable form and suggests an upset is possible.
Question is, is Rufin going to step up. This match is a tossup. Mayer could very well snap the negative trend and advance into the second round; however, Rufin, is just as likely to record his most meaningful win of the year, a win that will take him into the second round of a major.
Tennis Free Picks: Rufin in five sets
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Tennis Betting Line:
Jurgen Melzer -6 -105 -550 35½ O -130 U -110
Dmitry Tursunov +6 -135 +325 35½ O -130 U -110
Match Time:02:30 PM Eastern Time (11:30 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30,2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Russian Dmitry Tursunov has the 2-0 head-to-head edge over Jurgen Melzer lifetime but both victories are old, dating back to 2004 and 2007, and have no impact on their first round encounter at the 2010 US Open, their third career clash.
Melzer is in the midst of a standout season by his standards and the expectation is that he’ll punch at his weight class. The 29-year-old Austrian is 36-20 on the term, which includes noteworthy accounts on the big stage – French Open semis and Wimbledon R16. By contrast, Tursunov has fallen off the radar, he registers beyond the top 400 and is conspicuously off form with a 1-4 mark on the term.
Tennis Free Picks: Melzer in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line:
Janko Tipsarevic -3½ -125 -200 38½ O -115 U -125
Olivier Rochus +3½ -115 +150 38½ O -115 U -125
Match Time: 02:30 PM Eastern Time (11:30 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30,2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Serbian Janko Tipsarevic is listed as the bookies favourite over Olivier Rochus. Tipsarevic is trading at -200 while Rochus is a mere puppy at +150. Fact is, Rochus owns the 4-1 edge over the Serbian lifetime, which includes three victories on hard courts. Moreover, Rochus has slain a few giants this season, namely Novak Djokovic. Overall, I don’t think Rochus should be underestimated and I would go so far as to say that I wouldn’t be surprised if he did win.
Tipsarevic is having a slightly better season than Rochus is but that is neither here nor there where these two players are concerned and now that we are in the midst of a Grand Slam. At this level, all bets are off and the player that is willing to step it up is the player that reaps the rewards. Which one will step it up?
Tennis Free Picks: Rochus in five sets
US Open 2010 Betting – Americans Dent and Sweeting Feature
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows, New York – Opening day at the 2010 US Open has a decided American twist as home favourites Taylor Dent and Ryan Sweeting are amongst several Americans, including birthday boy Andy Roddick, set to begin their US Open bids.
BetOnline Sportsbook is following all the action at Flushing so without further ado, here is a look at Dent and Sweeting in their tournament openers against Alejandro Falla and Ricardas Berankis.
Tennis Betting Line:
Ricardas Berankis -2½ -125 -160 38½ O -130 U -110
Ryan Sweeting +2½ -115 +120 38½ O -130 U -110
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Match Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Time (12 Noon Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: This will be the first-career meeting between Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania and Ryan Sweeting of the USA. Very little separates the pair on paper but the bookies are clearly favoring the 20-year-old Lithuanian.
Berankis ranks at No.124 while Sweeting ranks at No.113. Admittedly, Berankis has had a little more success this season as he’s played to a 6-2 mark in ATP level play while Sweeting has netted more losses than wins with a 4-8 mark.
What Sweeting has going for him is obviously home edge and if he capitalizes on this advantage he could very well move into the second round. Sweeting is trading at a mere +120-puppy price and overall he is a good bet to make.
What Berankis has going for him is the fact that he’s had to qualify for the tournament. Having already played three rounds in the qualification stage Berankis is match-warm and that could give him a serious edge over his opposite. It is probably why he is the favorite at -160 to win outright.
Tennis Free Picks: Berankis in five sets
Tennis Betting Line:
Taylor Dent -120 40½ O -130 U -110
Alejandro Falla -120 40½ O -130 U -110
Match Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Time (12 Noon Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Taylor Dent is set to take on Alejandro Falla in the first round of the US Open. Previously Falla would have been dismissed as a lightweight, a no-hoper. Now I don’t think many would make that mistake, not after taking Federer to five sets in the first round of Wimbledon.
Falla is now regarded with more respect and bookies along with pundits are taking him seriously. It is why he is tipped at the same money as home favourite Dent in his opener. That Dent hasn’t had the kind of comeback most expected him to have and that he’s been struggling on form all season long didn’t help advancing him over Falla in the market as the favourite.
In every respect, this match is a tossup. Dent has the home edge and that could be a huge advantage. Falla however has impressed me with his game and attitude lately. He’s not winning everything granted but because he’s losing by the narrowest of margins against some serious hard-hitters in the game, I think he has a chance against Dent.
Tennis Free Picks: Falla in four sets
US Open 2010 Betting – Anderson, Berrer and Bellucci in Opening Round Action
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows, New York – Early tennis betting action on the 2010 US Open features Kevin Anderson, Andreas Beck and Tomaz Bellucci. In the broader sense of the tournament, this threesome has no hope (or rather reasonable hope), for the title. Where their first round encounters are considered they are the favourites to clean up.
Tennis Betting Line:
Kevin Anderson -4½ -130 -300 38½ O -125 U -115
Somdev Devvarman +4½ -110 +200 38½ O -125 U -115
Match Time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time (01:00 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
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Tennis Betting Verdict: South African Kevin Anderson takes on Indian hopeful Somdev Devvarman in the first round of the US Open. It will be the first career meeting between the two. Anderson takes a -300 price tag into this encounter and all that it entails – the expectation of advancement. Devvarman is listed at +200 to win outright, which is a modest puppy price and suggests he has a reasonable shot to advance.
In many ways, this match is a tossup. Neither player is on particularly good form this season netting more losses than wins; however, Anderson has enjoyed the occasional commendable result. As recently as the Rogers Cup, he upset Sam Querrey in the second round. Still both he and Devvarman are in a do or die situation, insofar as living another day goes. Anderson is therefore just as likely as his opposite is, to flame out.
Tennis Free Picks: Devvarman +200 | Over 38 ½ -125
Tennis Betting Line:
Michael Berrer -3 -130 -170 39 O -135 U -105
Andreas Beck +3 -110 +130 39 O -135 U -105
Match Time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time (01:00 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Michael Berrer is listed as the -170 favourite while Beck is tipped at +130 in this all-German affair. Berrer, 30, has more experience than his 24-year-old counterpart does but in the big tableau of the game, Beck has been around long enough to know what it takes to win big matches.
Twice this season he has seen into the second round of a Grand Slam – French Open and Wimbledon. He will be aiming to make a hat trick of second round appearances at the expense of Berrer and listed as he is, at mere +130 odds to do so, he is a tempting bet. In both those previous instances, he faced lesser opponents than Berrer is; Berrer is an experienced journeyman player and a workhorse. He will not be easy to overcome.
Tennis Free Picks: Beck +130 | Over 39 -135
Tennis Betting Line:
Tim Smyczek +5 -130 +200 38 O -125 U -115
Thomaz Bellucci -5 -110 -300 38 O -125 U -115
Match Time: 04:00 PM Eastern Time (01:00 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil is an up-and-coming player in the game and a player that has the right sort of ingredients to be a top 20 player one day. In order to enjoy a viable stint in the upper echelons of the game he will have to be a more all-surface player. Right now, he’s at his best on clay. Hard courts are still a challenge for him.
On the season, he is 30-19 with one title. During the US Open Series, he’s played to an underwhelming 1-3 but in his defence, he was beaten by hard courters like Gulbis, Baghdatis and Lacko and not so easily come to that.
American Tim Smyczek stands in his way of a spot in the second round. The home edge factor could make things a little tricky for Bellucci but there is no doubt in my mind he is the better player in this matchup and as such, he should come through.
Tennis Free Picks: Bellucci in four sets
US Open 2010 Betting – Hewitt vs. Henri-Mathieu
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows, New York – Former US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt gets his bid underway today when he takes on Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu. BetOnline is taking action on this feature match of the day.
Hewitt falls into the same quarter as Roger Federer does and he could be a potential third round opponent for the maestro.
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Lifetime, Federer has been an albatross around Hewitt’s neck; Federer owns a commanding 17-8 lifetime edge over him. The Aussie however recently snapped Federer’s 15-match winning streak over him that began at the Australian Open in 2004. In fact, Hewitt beat Federer in the Halle final 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, thereby earning not only his first win in six years but a title to go with it.
Hewitt begins his bid against Frenchman Paul Henri Mathieu at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Tennis Betting Line:
Lleyton Hewitt -5½ -135 -450 37½ O -130 U -110
Paul Henri Mathieu +5½ -105 +275 37½ O -130 U -110
Match Time: Not before 05:00 PM Eastern Time (01:00 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Lleyton Hewitt takes a 3-0 lifetime edge over Paul-Henri Mathieu into their first round encounter. A mark that last saw the pair cross paths at London Queen’s Club (2008).
Hewitt is in the midst of a solid season, playing to a 21-11 mark including the Halle title. It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Aussie though as he has been hampered down with injuries here and there.
During the US Open Series, perhaps the best yardstick by which to measure where his form and therefore chances at Flushing really stand, he has played to a 1-3 mark. So not so good insofar as his summer hard court season goes.
Still tennis bettors looking to back Hewitt have to like his chances against Paul Henri Mathieu who’s having an awful struggle this season in match play.
Mathieu is an underwhelming 6-15 on the term. He’s slipped out of the top 100 and as far as I can tell, he’s playing with as much confidence as newcomer and not with the confidence bespoken by his veteran years and a once top 12 ranking.
That said Mathieu could give Hewitt a run for his money, at least in the first few sets. This match could go four or five sets in my opinion, but that depends entirely on the Frenchman, whether he’ll step it up against Hewitt. More likely than not, I expect Hewitt to survive the Frenchman and advance into the second round.
Tennis Free Picks: Hewitt in four sets at -450 | Over 37 ½
2010 US Open Betting – Federer vs. Dabul
August 31, 2010
Flushing Meadows, New York – Five-time US Open champion Roger Federer is set to begin his bid for the US Open title under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Federer is scheduled to take to court at 8:30 PM Eastern Time against Brian Dabul. Their match follows Venus Williams in her opener on the same court against Roberta Vinci.
Betting on the US Open takes centre stage at BetOnline Sportsbook, this week and the next. Federer arrived in New York the market favourite to win a sixth US Open, 17th career Grand Slam.
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But sharpies are not exactly “all in” where Federer is concerned. True he’s recently re-energized his game by finishing runner-up in Montreal and winning the Cincinnati title the following week. Enough so to make those less than lofty deposits at the French Open and Wimbledon Championships this year but mere blips on his part. Nothing to worry about.
Speculation about a possible downslide isn’t what has sharpies on the fence however. Reality is that this year there are several outstanding contenders for the title, of which Nadal and Murray loom most threatening. And it is the potential rise of either of these two at Flushing that’s taking the shine off Fed.
Nadal is in the best form he’s ever been at this time of the year and goes into the US Open with arguably his best chance to win the illusive title. Murray has yet to win a major in his career but he’s descending on New York with his best chance too. Most believe it is only a matter of time before he will win a major – and those same know-it-alls, they would have him winning the US Open.
If Federer is to win the title, and push the boundaries of history, further, widely popular forecasts have him deciding the title with Nadal or Murray. For my part, I certainly hope it is the former and not the latter because the Federer-Nadal rivalry is much more riveting than the Federer-Murray rivalry has been on a Grand Slam stage.
We are getting ahead of ourselves though aren’t we. I mean Federer is yet to strike his first ball at Arthur Ashe stadium.
Going back to Federer’s dubious accounts at the majors this season – save for the Australian Open, which he won. Federer was tested in the opening round of Wimby by Alejandro Falla, a clay-court specialist from Columbia. Today, he’s set to take on another clay-courter in Brian Dabul of Argentina. Could Dabul possibly hope to mimic Falla’s heroics at Flushing?
Tennis Betting Line:
Brian Dabul +10 -140 27 O -150 U +110
Roger Federer -10 Ev 27 O -150 U +110
Match Time: 08:30 PM Eastern Time (05:30 PM Pacific Time) Monday August 30, 2010
Tennis Betting Verdict: Not unless Federer has a brain fart (pardon the expression) or unravels spectacularly do I see such a momentous upset unfolding at Arthur Ashe. Sure Dabul’s compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro beat Federer in the final last year and the national affinity between them isn’t unnoticed, but it stops there.
I mean nobody expects Dabul to fly the Argentinean flag on opening night, on the very same stage Del Potro flew the standard last year. Heck, I don’t think he’s even entertaining such a pipedream. The best he could hope for is to do himself and his country proud by accounting respectably against Federer.
Of course, this assumes Federer is going to be in the mood to humour him. The days where Federer blows opposition off court are well and truly over. It is evident that he’s finding it harder to win these days, especially against solid heavyweights in the game. But punditry aside you can never write off a proven champion of Federer’s pedigree. No matter how suspect he appears.
Tennis Free Picks: Federer in straight sets
