[Mr Intensity]

Thoughts for Wednesday.....

Berdych v Safin. Very interesting match here, mainly because they met a few weeks ago in Davis Cup. Safin won that after coming back from 2 sets down and it probably should have been more comfortable for him as he wasted a massive number of break points in the first hour sets. Berych injured his ankle in the reverse singles against Davydenko and hasn't played since. That's a worry as we are now deep into the clay season will all the guys having a few matches unser there belt. Safin has done well this tournament coming through qualies and then beating Cilic - importantly I feel his performances seem to be getting better. He could just be finding form again and with Berdych's lack of match Safin has to be the call at odds against. Slight concern with this being first match up an Safin traditionally isn't a fan of early matches but that's not enough to put me off.

Acasuso v Montanes. Got to look at the H2H here, 6-0 to Acasuso and the last 5 have been straight sets hammerings. Montanes had a decent week in Barcelona reaching the quarters before losing a tight one against Wawrinka but asn't shown much consistancy this season. Acasuso has generally been in better form this year but has struggled the past few weeks. However, you'd expect the conditions in Hamburg to suit him and that is reflected in his 7-2 record in this tournament. Getting over 1.5 looks very reasonable.

Blake v Tipsarevic. Very close int he betting and that seems fair. Both these guys have a lot of fight and expect this to be long. No idea who'll come through but expect 3 sets so lay whoever wins the first set would seem to be a decent call.

Robredo v Karlovic. Tommy came through a big battle with Kohlschreiber and after the amount of tennis he's played the past few weeks might struggle a little. He struggles against big servers (and yeah I still thought he'd beat Roddick last week) and that shows in the H2H 2-0 to Karlovic including losing in this tournament in 2004. Karlovic looked to be playing OK last week, and you know exactly what you'll be up against with him - if he brings it I think he takes this down. 2.62 at a few bookies seems reasonable.