Tennis Picks 2013 (July 9th)

Some of the First Round matches from the tournaments were completed on Monday and the rest of the matches should be concluded by the end of Tuesday.

Both of the picks made yesterday came through, while those from the outright picks made earlier this week will be beginning their tournaments in the next couple of days. These are the picks I have for the action on Tuesday:


Nikolay Davydenko - 3.5 games v Daniel Munoz-De La Nava: Nikolay Davydenko withdraw from the Wimbledon Grand Slam before the tournament began as he made it clear that he didn't want to play on the grass courts this year.

As a veteran that is no longer that worried about his World Ranking, it was probably the correct choice considering Davydenko has struggled on the grass courts throughout his career. He admitted that he is focusing on the clay court tournaments to be held after Wimbledon before the Tour moves to North America for the build up to the US Open and I think the Russian has a decent chance to win his opening match.

Davydenko comes up against Daniel Munoz-De La Nava, a player that should be familiar with the conditions having qualified for the tournament. Like many of his compatriots, the Spaniard is happiest when he is playing on a clay court and he could cause some problems for Davydenko in this one.

However, Munoz-De La Nava has not really converted his form to the main ATP Tour level and I think Davydenko may just be too tough for him, even if he is not as consistent as he was during his heyday. I still think Davydenko can cause enough pressure in this one to come through 64 64.


Vasek Pospisil v Denis Kudla: This has been set as a pick 'em contest but I do feel the big-serving Canadian can come through this First Round match.

Out of the two players, I would accept that Denis Kudla has had the better grass court season so far, but I do think Vasek Pospisil will win the cheaper points on serve and that could build some pressure on the American.

It is a match that might be decided by the smallest of margins, possibly in a tiebreak, and so backing the player that may be able to win points off one shot looks the call.


Michael Russell v Illya Marchenko: The veteran Michael Russell is much more erratic within matches than he has been in the past as his career gets ready to wind down, but I still think he can be a little too solid for Illya Marchenko in this First Round match.

Russell would certainly have built some confidence after winning a Challenger event on the hard courts last week and he will look to build on that form here.

There is no doubt that the hard courts are Russell's favoured surface, but he is playing Marchenko who has not played a match on the grass at the main ATP level since 2011. Marchenko has a decent game, but inconsistency is a big issue and he has lost to players on the grass that are about the same level as Russell or, in some cases, not as good as the American.

I wouldn't be surprised if this one does end up going to three sets, but I do think Russell can come through and will back him to do so.


MY PICKS: Nikolay Davydenko - 3.5 Games @ 1.83 Bet 365 (2 Units)
Vasek Pospisil @ 1.92 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Michael Russell @ 1.75 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Weekly Update: 2-0, + 3.04 Units (3 Units Staked, + 101.33% Yield)