ABN AMRO 2nd Rd Betting: Monfils takes on Dutch hopeful De Bakker

February 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under: Tennis Betting 

Rotterdam, Netherlands – Gael Monfils might be chuffed that not many are taking his chances in Rotterdam seriously, but he has only himself to blame really. I mean only last week he received the top seed in Johannesburg, ergo the consideration of being the favourite to win the title. What did he go and do but crash royally to hard on his luck Feliciano Lopez (not any more after he joined the champions circle on Sunday when he won the title, talking about Lopez), in the semis 6-3, 1-6, 6-7(1).

In fact, with all Monfils’ top 20 pretentions, his brief peek-a-boo into the top 10, it is hard not to overlook he is lacking in silverware – he has only two career ATP tennis titles to his name, four years apart come to that – Sopot 2005 and Metz 2009.

Of course, his fans would like to believe the Frenchman would have a say in this matter. Rotterdam cannot only be about the Serbian starlet Novak Djokovic alone. It is a tad disrespectful towards Monfils, the world No. 13 and fourth seed in the tourney, natch, not to mention the rest of the field as well.

Moreover, Djokovic and Monfils are in the same section, slotted to collide in the semi-finals, a happenstance should it occur, would be great, and would demand Monfils be given a reasonable shot. So they say.

But let us face it his lack of titles is a serious mark against him. Not only that but also he hasn’t won a title (well, of the two he did win) where the draws were top-ten-strong and where he beat a legitimate big wig for the title (preferably in the title match, the highest stakes’ match), underscoring his bid as a viable threat.

He has potential. I won’t deny that. Nor would I say he would not one day come of age; but excuse me if I am just a bit tired of waiting for that moment to arrive. Am I the only one?

Monfils has a ways to go before the title match and several serious threats to contend with, first up Dutch hopeful Thiemo De Bakker.

Tennis Betting Line: Gael Monfils -600 Thiemo De Bakker +350

First Set Line: Gael Monfils -400 Thiemo De Bakker +250

Match Time: 05:00 AM Eastern Time Thursday February 10, 2010

Tennis Betting Verdict: Monfils enters this match as the -600 favourite to win outright but would you believe it, our underdog, Thiemo De Bakker, carrying a price tag of +350, owns the 1-0 edge. And before you go ahead dismissing the mark as some distant victory, it may surprise you to know the world No. 82 player De Bakker secured the win over Monfils in Davis Cup Playoffs between Netherlands and France. If De Bakker can play so well for his nation in such a national competition you sorta have to like his chances before a home crowd in Rotterdam. No.? At +350 puppy odds, he is definitely on the larger side but he isn’t exactly priced out of the market now is he. Methinks, he is too tempting a bet to ignore.

Of course, Monfils will be the popular play and he should come through on his favourable odds to win outright.

There is every chance this match will go the distance, especially if the crowd gets really involved. To take the first set Monfils is trading at -400 and De Bakker is listed at +250. The home favourite to take the first set would be the better bet for tennis bettors backing either Monfils or De Bakker on the win.

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