Finally back and in full capacity.
WTA Tokyo:
Great event in Tokyo for the WTA with several top players, also keeping in mind the WTA Championship final. Draw
A first round bye for the first eights seeded but some interesting 1 round matches as well.
#1 Azarenka seems to have an easy path up to the quarter, where she may face #5 Kerber, then in the semi #3 Radwanska or #7 Na Li, unlikely to see the other seeded players up there (Wozniacki and Kanepi the Seoul title contenders).
#2 Sharapova after a tough 2 round agaist Lisicki should have some easy rounds up to the quarter against #8 Stosur and likely a the winner will face #3 Kvitova.
Some nice matches for tomorrow are:
Safarova[16] - Pironkova in a clash of (forehand) styles the leftie flat powerful one of the czech and the odd sliced of the bulgarian. Safarova leads 2-1 the head to heads but every match has gone into a decider; both looked in raising shape on the US hard after a disappointing season.
Martic - Petkovic, every Martic's match is something to watch... well she should be inspired, and that doesn't happen often, Petkovic is coming back little by little after her ankle injury.
Vinci[14] - Zahlavova Strycova should be a funny match full of slices, dropshot and volleys... very old fashioned
At higher odds I could have tried something, like Pironkova or Wickmayer (I don't trust Jankovic, but I trust even less the Wick).
The time zone is unhappy too, so no bet for tomorrow, when I'll resume the post with the ATP draws.
So let's resume from here with the ATP, two indoor tournaments this week.
Thailand Open:
#1 Tipsarevic will chase points to run after Tsonga for the last ATP final spot.
The draw doesn't inspire me too much though.
Apart from an aces-Guinnes-World-Record match Raonic - Karlovic, and a shocking Young - Verdasco 2nd rounds and maybe Petzschner and Dimitrov going through couple of rounds, there are all players I don't enjoy much: baseline returner who wait the right opponent' shot to exploit and turn the rally's inertia.
Malaysian Open:
Funnier draw, in Kuala Lumpur.
#1 Ferrer still working on his project of winning as much lower tournaments as possible, eating all the Fab-4 crumbs.
A quarter against Feliciano Lopez #5 is a tough one though, with Lopez leading 5-2 the indoor h-2-h.
In this semi there should be the genius of #4 Dolgopolov.
Bottom half leaded by #2 Monaco in a injury quarter counting Jimmy Wang and Brian Baker as unseeded and #8 Melzer. Monaco applys pretty well to the indoor, while Melzer maybe is on his best surfaces (won Menphis back in February before the cosmic void of the rest of his season).
Open d'Orleans:
This is going to be one of the most competitive challenger ever seen. Here's the draw.
I won't trust too much #1 Kohlschreiber, so huge favored hardly wins (see Youhzny is St.Petersbourg, or Bartoli in Guangzhou or Seppi in Genova challenger, recent memories).
So the clash is open: #3 Goffin, #3 Malisse, I don't think #4 Mahut (Gulbis first round, Brown the second) but even useeded like Llodra or Olivetti or the young raising talents Berankis and Donskoy ( a great first round between them).
If it's going to be TV covered i think this'll be the tournament I'll follow.
Today's picks for the finals of both ATP:
M Klizan - F Fognini: Fognini 3 units @2.13
I won't hide that after a whole night this odd still looks weird, Klizan played nearly 4 hours against Youzhny then stepped on court again to play a double match.
The ranking position (45 Klizan, 53 Fognini), the raising condition and level of tennis showed by Klizan in this season and maybe the level of previous opponents too could justify this odd, but it won't count the time spent on court yesterday, which is a lot for Klizan.
The match could be very similar to the one played yesterday by Klizan with many variation from the baseline, but the kind of tennis played from Fognini is much closer to the Klizan one then to the Youhzny one: rallies will be longer with many topspin from both sides (Fognini plays topspin both from forehand and backhand) so the deep crossed leftie forehand from the slovak won't affect too much Fognini's game since he's used to hit the ball on the raise with the backhand, while Youhzny had many problem to handle it, he looked like he was plaiyng a mid-volley not finishing the swing to hit it safe but not pushing it.
Keeping the rallies long will be the game for Fognini who's in great physical shape while Klizan's legs will be much heavier and slower.
Important emotional element as well with both chasing the first ATP title, but it'll be the first final ever for Klizan while Fognini already played one back this year losing to Simon on Bucharest red clay.
J-W Tsonga - A Seppi: Seppi (+4.5 games) 2 units @1.88
J-W Tsonga - A Seppi: Seppi 1 unit @4.70
The odd is too huge on Seppi, ok it's Tsonga, and ok he's local and the surface suits him but Seppi has done well also beating Monfils in his semifinal while Tsonga struggled also against Davidenko and the movement on court of the russian are very similar to the italian's ones: Seppi has trained a lot on the flexibility and agility taking great improvement on the first stroke after the service, when he's more ready in case of an aggresive return by the opponent.
If Seppi manage to cut down his unforced errors and keeps the rallies going long he could get his chance.
Bad sensation that too many people are picking Fognini, let's hope for all the best.
-6
And not many comments to do as in both there wasn't much of game.
Tsonga was just too much for Seppi, while Fognini... well my sensations were true he couldn't win this.
Showing posts with label Seppi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seppi. Show all posts
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Genova Challenger - Day 5 - SF
So it'll be a Italy vs Spain for a spot in the final.
[4]Volandri - [7]Montanes
[5]Bolelli - Robredo
As already said Volandri is playing a great tennis, nearly the best he can.
Giannessi , with a rain-suspension, and Gutirrez-Ferrol had been good tests.
Harder roads for the spaniards.
Three sets in in each prevoius round for Robredo, while Montanes was strong with the strongs and weak with the weaks: two three setter in 1st and 2nd round, 2 set against Seppi in the quarterfinal.
Bolelli reached the semifinal more for his easy route and opponents demerit than for his merit.
He looked always a bit tired and bit bothered of playing, his opponent were too weak though and in the distance they collapsed: just yesterday Fabbiano in the first set came back from 5-2 to 5-5 then lost 7-5 the set.
Hard to say who will prevail, above all between Bolelli and Robredo.
The low shape and confidence showed by Bolelli make him the underdog, on the other hand Robredo should pay for his efforts.
I'm expecting two three sets matches, though I'm not going to risk too much on it and I'll go with a double
Volandi @1.66 lost
Bolelli @1.83 lost
Double 2 units @3.05
-2
As my tennis teacher would say, Volandi lost beacuse he was playing too much good.
The first set was played perfectly, as Volandri had played in all his previus matches.
But the mental effort of playing such a good tennis, had an high price and Volandri paid it little by little losing metres on the court, losing also the leading of the rally.
His opponents without showing great solutions went 5-3, Volandri broke back to 5-5, but again paid the effort in the tie-break, 7-1 the score.
Montanes def. Volandri 1-6 7-6(1) 6-3
Fair score in the other semifinal as Robredo showed his superiority, mental grip and all his desire to win also at this level, a bit inferior compared to his past.
He is the right favoured for the title.
7-5 6-2 the final score over Bolelli.
[4]Volandri - [7]Montanes
[5]Bolelli - Robredo
As already said Volandri is playing a great tennis, nearly the best he can.
Giannessi , with a rain-suspension, and Gutirrez-Ferrol had been good tests.
Harder roads for the spaniards.
Three sets in in each prevoius round for Robredo, while Montanes was strong with the strongs and weak with the weaks: two three setter in 1st and 2nd round, 2 set against Seppi in the quarterfinal.
Bolelli reached the semifinal more for his easy route and opponents demerit than for his merit.
He looked always a bit tired and bit bothered of playing, his opponent were too weak though and in the distance they collapsed: just yesterday Fabbiano in the first set came back from 5-2 to 5-5 then lost 7-5 the set.
Hard to say who will prevail, above all between Bolelli and Robredo.
The low shape and confidence showed by Bolelli make him the underdog, on the other hand Robredo should pay for his efforts.
I'm expecting two three sets matches, though I'm not going to risk too much on it and I'll go with a double
Volandi @1.66 lost
Bolelli @1.83 lost
Double 2 units @3.05
-2
As my tennis teacher would say, Volandi lost beacuse he was playing too much good.
The first set was played perfectly, as Volandri had played in all his previus matches.
But the mental effort of playing such a good tennis, had an high price and Volandri paid it little by little losing metres on the court, losing also the leading of the rally.
His opponents without showing great solutions went 5-3, Volandri broke back to 5-5, but again paid the effort in the tie-break, 7-1 the score.
Montanes def. Volandri 1-6 7-6(1) 6-3
Fair score in the other semifinal as Robredo showed his superiority, mental grip and all his desire to win also at this level, a bit inferior compared to his past.
He is the right favoured for the title.
7-5 6-2 the final score over Bolelli.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Genova Challenger - Day 4 - QF
Local players easily pushing.
Easy win for #1 Seppi in the crowded Centre Court.
After the insecurities showed in the first match, everything seemed to have gone back to his best period.
In the beginning of each set Seppi broke his opponents serve and then cruised to an easy win. 6-2 6-3.
Greater easiness showed by #4 Volandri in his 6-3 6-0 win over Begemann.
One of the best match he's played recently, although it wasn't a relevant test Volandri showed his best not simply playing from the baseline but putting on the court all his skills and trying to win the point as soon as possible with many net approach.
More effort for the two spaniards Robredo and Montanes, the only ones who can contest the win apart from the italians. Three sets match for both against lower level opponents.
Two picks for today:
Simone Bolelli - Thomas Fabbiano: over 19.5 games 2 units @2.00 +2
Fabbiano made a great come back against the funny Brown yesterday.
He looked solid from the baseline and even mentally to return most of the oddities he had to deal with.
Bolelli still feels bad with his touch and also loses focus more times in a single match.
Fabbiano could at least push up to a tie-break if he manage to exploit these blank moments.
A Seppi - A Montanes: Seppi 4 units @1.44 -4
Very unusual bet on such an odd for me but I can't see #1 Seppi losing today, and maybe also tomorrow and the final.
The match is scheduled at the same time Seppi was scheduled yesterday, there will be the sold out, and Seppi is the only player can make it happen again and again.
-2
I knew Seppi's odd was somehow weird, just as Lorenzi's odd in the first round was but I couldn't resist nad so...
Easy win for #1 Seppi in the crowded Centre Court.
After the insecurities showed in the first match, everything seemed to have gone back to his best period.
In the beginning of each set Seppi broke his opponents serve and then cruised to an easy win. 6-2 6-3.
Greater easiness showed by #4 Volandri in his 6-3 6-0 win over Begemann.
One of the best match he's played recently, although it wasn't a relevant test Volandri showed his best not simply playing from the baseline but putting on the court all his skills and trying to win the point as soon as possible with many net approach.
More effort for the two spaniards Robredo and Montanes, the only ones who can contest the win apart from the italians. Three sets match for both against lower level opponents.
Two picks for today:
Simone Bolelli - Thomas Fabbiano: over 19.5 games 2 units @2.00 +2
Fabbiano made a great come back against the funny Brown yesterday.
He looked solid from the baseline and even mentally to return most of the oddities he had to deal with.
Bolelli still feels bad with his touch and also loses focus more times in a single match.
Fabbiano could at least push up to a tie-break if he manage to exploit these blank moments.
A Seppi - A Montanes: Seppi 4 units @1.44 -4
Very unusual bet on such an odd for me but I can't see #1 Seppi losing today, and maybe also tomorrow and the final.
The match is scheduled at the same time Seppi was scheduled yesterday, there will be the sold out, and Seppi is the only player can make it happen again and again.
-2
I knew Seppi's odd was somehow weird, just as Lorenzi's odd in the first round was but I couldn't resist nad so...
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Genova Challenger - Day 3 - R16
Some surprising results yesterday as Brown def. [3]Lorenzi with a double 7-6.
In both set Lorenzi was leading 5-2.
Seppi stuggled more than expected to beat young Olivo. 3-6 6-3 6-4 the score.
Looks like a lack of confidence for Seppi: a bad match with many errors above all from his stronger side, the backhand.
Olivo looked a good guy, great push from the baseline with the forehand; a double handed backhand not very incisive but solid enough to bear the rally that he alternates to a one handed slice as recover stroke, with a very natural swing; also nice manuality when playing volleys and dropshots; the second serve was attacked too frequently.
In the evening Robredo won a three set battle over [6]Rosol, 6-7 6-2 6-4, and becomes the major pretender to a spot in the final his road to the semifinal look easy (Fognini was replaced by Trusendi), and projection says he will face a not much confident Bolelli.
Today's I'll go with a couple of picks:
A Seppi - Facundo Arguello: pick Over 20.5 games 2 unit @1.90 -2
A Seppi - Facundo Arguello: pick Arguello 1 unit @4.50 -1
Given the raising shape of Arguello and the oppisite conditions of Seppi ther could be more battle than suggested by the odds.
Also thinking about an over between Gil and Gutierrez-Ferrol but I'll skip for now.
-3
In both set Lorenzi was leading 5-2.
Seppi stuggled more than expected to beat young Olivo. 3-6 6-3 6-4 the score.
Looks like a lack of confidence for Seppi: a bad match with many errors above all from his stronger side, the backhand.
Olivo looked a good guy, great push from the baseline with the forehand; a double handed backhand not very incisive but solid enough to bear the rally that he alternates to a one handed slice as recover stroke, with a very natural swing; also nice manuality when playing volleys and dropshots; the second serve was attacked too frequently.
In the evening Robredo won a three set battle over [6]Rosol, 6-7 6-2 6-4, and becomes the major pretender to a spot in the final his road to the semifinal look easy (Fognini was replaced by Trusendi), and projection says he will face a not much confident Bolelli.
Today's I'll go with a couple of picks:
A Seppi - Facundo Arguello: pick Over 20.5 games 2 unit @1.90 -2
A Seppi - Facundo Arguello: pick Arguello 1 unit @4.50 -1
Given the raising shape of Arguello and the oppisite conditions of Seppi ther could be more battle than suggested by the odds.
Also thinking about an over between Gil and Gutierrez-Ferrol but I'll skip for now.
-3
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Genova Challenger - Day 2
Rain stopped Volandri - Giannessi, where Volandri was serving while 2-1 down after winning the first set tie-break.
Little surprise as Vagnozzi won with an easy come back over the US qualified Andreozzi. 6-7(2) 6-2 6-1.
Bit of trouble for two seeded player.
Bolelli [5] struggled more against himself and his lack of confidence to beat the frenchman Robert.
Bolelli was the one to lead rallies with Robert playing as his compatriot Gilles Simon, containing his opponents strokes up to an unforced error or to the very right moment when the frenchman could hit a winner, usually a flat backhand down the line. His placement on the court and the distance from the ball at the moment of hitting it seemed a bit approximate resulting in Robert being sometimes too close to the bounce or hitting the ball too close to the body with arms not stretched.
Bolelli on the other hand struggled against character problems, looking sometimes not in the fancy of playing, stopping running, not following his attacks approaching the net: many times he was late on it, resulting in finding himself in the middle of the court instead of being close to the net, and with Robert hitting an easy passing shot.
Luckily for him he has a day off to recover from this long match: 7-6(3) 3-6 7-5
Today's match looks more interesting.
Even if Fognini seems about to withdraw, today there will be the #1 seeded Seppi facing young ('92) qualified n.330 ATP Olivo. Under 18.5 game @2.00 seems a fair line but I'll skip.
The one I consider a must-to-see is seeded #3 Lorenzi facing the funny Dustin Brown.
First meeting between the two.
Two opposite style: the serve and volley of the jamaican-german and the defensive baseline of the italian.
This very surface seems slow and with high bounce, conditions pushed further by the rain and humid of these days.
This makes Brown's work harder, cause his power serve will lose efficacy has already showed his early lost in the double, paired with Dlouhy, though being #2 of the seeding.
Baseline solidity of the italian should easily prevail and also here under 22.5 games looks a good line though I'd rather pick Lorenzi @1.53 in a multiple bet.
Also last match of the day seems very interesting.
The player who opened a new era for the tennis - the post Nadal era - is back at his level after failing to qualify for US Open's main draw.
An evergreen Robredo is a very tough test, though.
I see, as odds suggest, Robredo winning though I think a three sets battle should be fair enough as Rosol pushing on his serve and Robredo returning anything could make the match tense and player suffering highs and lows of foucus. The over 22.5 games is not well paid though since I don't really trust Rosol.
I'll go with a fun triple bet just to follow some match:
Seppi - Olivo under 18.5 games @2.00
Lorenzi @1.53
Rosol - Robredo over 22.5 games @1.83
@5.62
Little surprise as Vagnozzi won with an easy come back over the US qualified Andreozzi. 6-7(2) 6-2 6-1.
Bit of trouble for two seeded player.
Bolelli [5] struggled more against himself and his lack of confidence to beat the frenchman Robert.
Bolelli was the one to lead rallies with Robert playing as his compatriot Gilles Simon, containing his opponents strokes up to an unforced error or to the very right moment when the frenchman could hit a winner, usually a flat backhand down the line. His placement on the court and the distance from the ball at the moment of hitting it seemed a bit approximate resulting in Robert being sometimes too close to the bounce or hitting the ball too close to the body with arms not stretched.
Bolelli on the other hand struggled against character problems, looking sometimes not in the fancy of playing, stopping running, not following his attacks approaching the net: many times he was late on it, resulting in finding himself in the middle of the court instead of being close to the net, and with Robert hitting an easy passing shot.
Luckily for him he has a day off to recover from this long match: 7-6(3) 3-6 7-5
Today's match looks more interesting.
Even if Fognini seems about to withdraw, today there will be the #1 seeded Seppi facing young ('92) qualified n.330 ATP Olivo. Under 18.5 game @2.00 seems a fair line but I'll skip.
The one I consider a must-to-see is seeded #3 Lorenzi facing the funny Dustin Brown.
First meeting between the two.
Two opposite style: the serve and volley of the jamaican-german and the defensive baseline of the italian.
This very surface seems slow and with high bounce, conditions pushed further by the rain and humid of these days.
This makes Brown's work harder, cause his power serve will lose efficacy has already showed his early lost in the double, paired with Dlouhy, though being #2 of the seeding.
Baseline solidity of the italian should easily prevail and also here under 22.5 games looks a good line though I'd rather pick Lorenzi @1.53 in a multiple bet.
Also last match of the day seems very interesting.
The player who opened a new era for the tennis - the post Nadal era - is back at his level after failing to qualify for US Open's main draw.
An evergreen Robredo is a very tough test, though.
I see, as odds suggest, Robredo winning though I think a three sets battle should be fair enough as Rosol pushing on his serve and Robredo returning anything could make the match tense and player suffering highs and lows of foucus. The over 22.5 games is not well paid though since I don't really trust Rosol.
I'll go with a fun triple bet just to follow some match:
Seppi - Olivo under 18.5 games @2.00
Lorenzi @1.53
Rosol - Robredo over 22.5 games @1.83
@5.62
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)