Madrid Tennis Picks 2014 (May 9th)

It was a much better Thursday to at least get the week finally going in the right direction, but I was concentrating on watching the NFL Draft as well as the NBA Play Offs so the post will be the picks from the Friday matches in Madrid.

I will add my reasons for the picks on the day, but the picks are placed below.


Maria Sharapova - 2.5 games v Na Li: Already Started


Agnieszka Radwanska - 4.5 games v Caroline Garcia: I remember Andy Murray describing Caroline Garcia as a future World Number 1 in the women's game, but she hasn't really hit and consistent heights on the Tour up until now.

Confidence has to be high after Garcia has won 11 matches in a row and she has only dropped two sets in that time, but Agnieszka Radwanska brings a different challenge onto the court for the Frenchwoman to face.

Radwanska will make life awkward for Garcia and also test out her consistency by forcing her to play more balls than she is used to. She also has more variations in her game and it could be tough for Garcia despite the obvious signs of improvement.


Tomas Berdych + 4.5 games v Rafael Nadal: It was in Madrid that the problems between Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych started back in 2006 and the Czech player has never beaten Nadal since, while this will be the first time they have met again at this venue since.

That match in Madrid was when both players were a lot younger and I think both have matured to suggest any ill-feeling has dissipated, although Nadal does save his best tennis for when he sees Berdych on the other side of the court.

So why am I backing Berdych to at least make this competitive? I think there have been some real issues for Nadal in the last three weeks at a time of the season he is expected to dominate and I have a feeling Berdych may be good enough to take a set, even if he can't win the match.

That should make these games very important at the end of the match and Berdych is playing with confidence and hitting the ball well enough to cause problems throughout the match.

MY PICKS: Maria Sharapova - 2.5 Games @ 1.83 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Agnieszka Radwanska - 4.5 Games @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Tomas Berdych + 4.5 Games @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Madrid Update: 6-9, - 7.56 Units (31 Units Staked, - 24.38% Yield)