ATP Hamburg & WTA Rome 11th-18th May

[Mr Intensity]

Can't be as crazy as last week....can it?

[StrangeTrip]

Originally Posted by Mr Intensity

Can't be as crazy as last week....can it?

Who knows?

[StrangeTrip]

Event	Kohlschreiber - Robredo
Selection	Kohlschreiber
Strength	10/10
Date	12/05/2008
Bookmaker/Price	BetandWin @ 2.65 (Back)
Reasoning	The defeats of Federer and Nadal in Rome and the retirements showed that it is very hard to make 4 Masters Series in a raw. I am afraid for Robredo that Hamburg is the tournament of excess. In Rome he had 2 long matches against Davydenko and Roddick. In Hamburg he plays against the local Kohlschreiber which will be very fresh because he has not played during 15 days,so he could prepare the tournament seroisly. Hewill have the support of the crowd what seems to please him because hewins many matches in Germany: he had won Munich in 2007.

[Mr Intensity]

OK, I've decided to stop "tipping" for a while. Level stakes singles is just not where it is at in tennis I feel - trading and short priced multis I think is the way to go. People will look down at the multis, but I'd disagree on several levels and let's be honest - it's fun. So from now on I'm just going to put up my thoughts on some matches that interest me. Also, I might start a glory hunt pretty soon. Anyway, onto the matches for Monday.....

Verdasco v Youzhny looks really tough to call. I was thinking of backing Verdasco, but then I saw he was favourite which was a little bit of a surprise. It's on TV, so if you can watch and they both look up for it, laying the guy who wins the first set could be profitable.

Tsonga v Mahut should be fun. Tsonga blew it against Simon last week, but this should be easier. He played well and looked like he has a decent game for clay, unless he comes up against a real grinder. Mahut is shocking up clay, and Tsonga should be comfortable on serve and even more comfortable in the rallies, looks like a solid fav.

Bolelli v Granollers is a match between 2 guys who have really stepped up this year. Bolelli really ran out of gas against Roddick last week and after a lot of matches he could have a bit of a flat one this tournament. Granollers lost a shocker against Montanes in Barcelona but has come through qualifying here and could be a bit of value.

Murray v Tursunov and mmm I just keep thinking Murray is too short. The matchup is very good for him and Tursunov is awful on clay but come on 1.28? He just isn't playing very well and could struggle. A lay of Murray then look to back if he starts poorly (maybe see if Tursunov can take the first set) looks to be a decent play.

Safin v Cilic. It's sad to see Safin in the qualifiers - I'll always remember his matches against Federer at the Aussie and US Open against Sampras - that one was the reason I started hitting a double-handed backhand. Anyway, he's struggled through qualifying and have to take that as a positive as he could have easily folded against Korolev. Cilic is rank on clay, I can't believe he beat Rochus when I was on in Munich. I watched him last week against Starace and he was woeful. I see Safin coming through this, but as always it could be a struggle.

Seppi v Berrer. Night match, at home, big serving lefty could be some value in Berrer at 3.00. He's been poor lately but after watching Seppi he could have a chance. Just see this as a tough matchup from Seppi. Berrer will attack his serve and I see him being broken a few times. Not much of an analysis on this one it's just about the situation.

[A-Team]

agree Granollers is value. Bolelli probably stayed in Italy getting drunk after his defeat to Roddick and Hamburg is probably too slow for him anyway. I don't consider him a "proper" clay courter. He's got an agressive style of play and will probably achieve as much on faster surfaces over the course of his career if he deveolops his return game.

And yeah, I definitely look down on multis generally but in MS events especially with their small draws, motivated players and best of 3 format. Early rounds of slams are a different matter. But good luck if you decide to go down that path. You clearly know your stuff so you can probably make it work.

[Twinky99]

i took, grannolers and berrer
*fingers crossed*
hope they get through

[WinningTipster]

Hi guys,
2 bets for today:

ATP TOUR, HAMBURG
MONTANES TO D FISH @ 1.42 at pinnacle
Fish just can't play on clay. Montanes is a solid clay court specialist.

WTA TOUR, ROME
RUANO PASCUAL TO D RODIONOVA @ 2.3 at expekt
No reason to why Rodionova should be a favorite in this match. Ruano Pascual is still a good clay court player, while doubles specialist Rodionova does not like playing at clay at all.

[Bet-Master]

Tip Detail

Sport	Tennis
Event	K. Knapp vs O. Govortsova
Selection	O. Govortsova
Strength	10/10
Date	12/05/2008
Bookmaker/Price	Pinnacle Sports @ 2.55 (Back)
Reasoning	After awful 0:6, 0:6 in Berlin last week, I'm sure that Govortsova will be strong this week. Her game on clay is very good - she had 15-5 last year and had wins over Ruano, Bartoli and Vesnina this season. Besides, Knapp was awful too in Berlin - 1:6, 0:6 to Kanepi, and it was 4 lost in a row. Yes, she's playing at home in Rome - but she's lost both matches here in 2007 and 2006. I think, chances are about 50/50 - so 2.55 is a value. Good luck

[Bet-Master]

Tip Detail

Sport	Tennis
Event	P - H. Mathieu vs N. Kiefer
Selection	N. Kiefer
Strength	10/10
Date	12/05/2008
Bookmaker/Price	Pinnacle Sports @ 2.78 (Back)
Reasoning	Why not? Kiefer had very good match against Ferrero (who then smashed Nadal) last week in Rome, his form is normal and motivation in home country will be very high. What about Mathieu? He has already lost to Tipsarevic, Karlovic and Bolleli so far on clay - and I can't understand, why the odds so low on Frenchman. Besides, Kiefer is very seldom to lose in first round on clay tournaments - before Rome last week Nicolas won in first round on 9 clay tournaments in a row. Big value. Good luck!

[Mr Intensity]

Check it out dude ATP Hamburg & WTA Rome 11th-18th May

[Wanderer89]

Mr I you missed out on minar haha. What happened with Tsonga! lost 6 0 in 1st set then went on to win!

[Mr Intensity]

Originally Posted by Wanderer89

Mr I you missed out on minar haha. What happened with Tsonga! lost 6 0 in 1st set then went on to win!

...and look at what Canas is doing! Tennis is just crazy

[Twinky99]

yeah its another crazy week

btw, nice tip on WTA from winningtipster!

[Mr Intensity]

Starace v Horna. Watched Starace last week and he was very poor against Cilic, watched him in Monte Carlo against Lapentti and again he was just poor. Horna had a good week in Rome then came through qualifying. It looks a pretty easy pick for Horna at odds against.....I'd just be careful, he had a couple of tough matches over the weekend and Starace is better than he has shown recently. One to leave alone for me.

Moya v Benneteau. Will be interesting to see Moya in this one. He's on a very poor run lately losing all 3 of his matches so far in the European clay season. But I can't help but look at what he did here last year, reaching the semis beating Berdych, Blake and Djokovic and taking a set off Federer. Also last year he start the European clay season poorly (not as bad as this year) before being very strong here and at the French. Don't write him off just yet! Benneteau seems in pretty average form, but he did come through qualifying. This could be a decent match up for Moya to get back some form, but just touching 1.55 doesn't appeal too much.

Robredo v Kohlschreiber. This one seems to be about scheduling. Tommy has had a lot of matches lately including a couple of final set breakers and could be due a flat performance. However, wouldn't expect it to come here - the scene of his greatest success winning the title in 2006. He lost first match last year to Almagro (really tough draw!) and should be looking to make amends this year. Kohlschreiber pulled out of Munich with a respitory infection and I've got no idea how he is physically. At home could be a decent price for the German but don't rule out Tommy. Quite fancy 3 sets so laying whoever wins the first set could be profitable.

Ferrer v Minar. Ferrer looks seriously short here. Yeah he's been playing very well but Minar is capable. He lost in qualifying but got a good win over Lopez and has the game to really take it to Ferrer. In Estoril we all saw what he did to Davydenko for a set and similar here wouldn't surprise. A lay of Ferrer early looks good and hope for Minar to come out firing. He's good enough to take a set but at the end of the day expect Ferrer to grind it out.

Gasquet v Seppi. Gasquet has had a couple of shockers lately, but I don't think that's an indicator of long term form. Going well in the doubles last week should have helped him get some match practice and get over the losses. Watched Seppi batter Berrer today but not convinced as the German was shocking. I think this is a good match up for Seppi and if he comes in with any form then this should be like target practice for Gasquet. Price is very inflated because and Gasquets form and to be honest I think he short be shorter.

[Tulenos]

Something fishy was going on before/in the Minar match in the 1st round with several books withdrawing it from the coupon so would think twice before venturing into the 2nd round event, especially can't recommend backing Minar if anyone's tempted.

[A-Team]

Any word on Berdych's fitness Tulenos or others? He played a long doubles match today so I guess his ankle is feeling better...

[Tulenos]

Not a word, mate, but the layoff was quite long - btw, he always plays at the back and doesn't move much in dbls

[A-Team]

yeah fair point.

I sometimes try to gauge a guy's mental attitude to his injury by whether or not he plays in doubles. If they usually play doubles but they're missing from it when coming back from injury it can be a sign they're not fully confident and don't want to over-exert the injury.

Safin looked pretty good today in the parts I saw and could be worth a bet depending on the price.

I like Alberto Martin for tomorrow btw. Wawrinka could well tank after playing a lot of tennis last week and taking medical timeouts for back and thigh problems throughout the event.
Martin has always been a good claycourter and is worth a shot at around 4 (1 set) and/or 3.25(1-ball)

[Bet-Master]

Tip Detail

Sport	Tennis
Event	Andreev I. vs Soderling R.
Selection	Soderling R.
Strength	10/10
Date	13/05/2008
Bookmaker/Price	Pinnacle Sports @ 2.35 (Back)
Reasoning	Andreev don't impress me this season and he very seldom plays good on 2 tournaments in a row. Let's see. 1/4 in Buenos Aires - then lost in 1 round in Acapulco 1/4 in Dubai - then lost in 1 round in Indian Wells 1/4 in Monte-Carlo - then lost in 2 round in Munich. Well, after good perfomance in Rome Igor, I think, will fall down in first round here in Hamburg. Besides Soderling, after loss to Korolev in first round in Rome, must progress here and his play on clay is more better from year to year. For example, he had 10-7 on clay last year, and Andreev has only 8-8 this season and had already lost to Schwank, Stepanek, Korolev and Del Potro, whose klass are not big enough. Play Soderling! Good luck!

[Mr Intensity]

I've just had a great morning - backed Beck at 6-3 2-2 and he goes on to win another 2 games. Backed Lledra just before the start, fancied him at least for a first set tie break - wins 2 games.