The Ladies Final at Wimbledon 2017 will involve a Williams again, but it is 37 year old Venus Williams who has come into the tournament that her younger sister Serena could not defend due to pregnancy.
For a long time it was Venus who was the dominant Williams sister on the famous lawns in SW19, but now she will be looking to pull to within one of Serena by taking the title home on Saturday.
That won't be easy against Garbine Muguruza who has played in two previous Grand Slam Finals, both times against Serena Williams. She won the last one of those at the French Open in 2016, but it was Serena Williams who beat Muguruza here at Wimbledon in the 2015 Final.
The Spaniard plays with plenty of power and comes into the Final as the favourite, but Venus Williams has the experience and arguably is playing on her most natural surface.
Venus Williams v Garbine Muguruza: I picked Venus Williams as the winner of this tournament at the start of the event and she has already provided a big return having reached the Final. That means those who followed the outright picks are now sitting on a big priced winner in what has been set as an almost pick 'em Final, but I think it may be worth letting things play out with my feeling being Venus Williams can go on and win the title here for the sixth time.
Both players have only dropped one set in the tournament so far and while Garbine Muguruza had the more straight-forward Semi Final win, I do think Venus Williams has improved in each passing match through the tournament. The serve has been a huge weapon for Venus Williams and it was that delivery which kept Johanna Konta in awkward positions in their Semi Final.
The serve working as well as it has been also means Venus Williams has been able to play with some freedom on the return games and that has seen her put some real pressure on opponents. As well as Garbine Muguruza has served at times, the raw numbers suggest she has been put under some pressure but has managed to play the key points at 30-30, deuce or break point down very effectively.
Some of the players Muguruza have played will be kicking themselves they didn't play those points a little better, but Williams has shown some strength at the key moments in her recent matches. That has been most evident on the serve where Venus Williams has been broken just twice in four matches having dropped serve four times in her first two matches, but it also has seen Venus convert a few more break point opportunities at a better percentage than she was earlier in the tournament.
The Spaniard has not been broken in her last two matches which will certainly give her some confidence, but I don't think Venus Williams will be as loose with her play as Svetlana Kuznetsova and Magdalena Rybarikova were. It won't be easy to get into the Muguruza games if she continues to hit as big as she has been, but I am not sure she has been playing as well as the straight sets victories in her last two matches suggest.
Kuznetsova certainly had her chances in their Quarter Final where there were not many points between them, and I think Venus Williams' comfort on the grass means she may be a little more confident when the chances do come her way. Venus Williams has been very strong when facing those players outside the top ten in the World Rankings on the grass and I think the performances so far this week makes me believe the wrong player is favoured in this one.
If Muguruza continues to play way above average on the big points, then of course she is a big threat, but Venus Williams has been close to her best and I like the veteran American to keep the Williams name on the Wimbledon Champion board.
MY PICKS: Venus Williams @ 2.10 Paddy Power (0 Units)
Wimbledon Update: 44-48, - 6.58 Units (179 Units Staked, - 3.68% Yield)
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Showing posts with label Venus Williams. Show all posts
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Saturday, 15 July 2017
Saturday, 28 January 2017
Australian Open Tennis Day 13 Picks 2017- Women's Final (January 28th)
The tournament organisers for the Australian Open may not have been able to pick two more popular Finals than the ones that have been set up this season.
There are plenty of easy storylines from the Venus Williams versus Serena Williams Women's Final and the Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal Men's Final that you have to think all eyes of the sporting world will be focused on Melbourne over the next two days.
Whoever is successful over the next couple of days are going to be popular winners and the Australian Open 2017 will go down as one of the more memorable Grand Slams of recent years.
It has also been a very good one for the picks which have produced some very good numbers over the last two weeks after some really poor ones to open the tournament. The turnaround from Day 5 to now has been significant and will be something that will hopefully set the tone for the rest of the 2017 season after a couple of tough years.
Not every week is going to be as good as the one I just had, but the key is to try and limit the damage on those bad weeks and pick up big numbers when things are going the way I have anticipated. That's the perfect way of doing things, but not always as possible as I would want in what is always a long grind to try and get on the right side of the numbers.
Serena Williams - 4.5 games v Venus Williams: When Venus Williams and Serena Williams last played in a Grand Slam Final at Wimbledon in 2009, it was elder sister Venus who went into the Final as the favourite. She had won three of four Wimbledon titles prior to that Final so it was not a big surprise, but it was Serena who came through the stronger and she has continued to dominate women's tennis ever since.
Injury and illness didn't help Venus since 2009, but she did reach two Quarter Finals and one Semi Final at the Slam level in 2010 before those began to really affect her. Up until the Australian Open in 2015, Venus Williams had only reached one Fourth Round as her best result in the Grand Slams in the previous four years.
Things have definitely looked better for Venus Williams in the last two years although this might be the last chance she really has to add to her seven Grand Slam titles. Her run through the draw has been impressive, but Venus is yet to play someone of the level of baby sister Serena and it has been much tougher graft for the 36 year old Venus.
That might take its toll in the Final against an opponent who has been playing very well in the entire tournament. Serena Williams' win over Johanna Konta, and the manner of the win, is the most impressive result either has had in the event and Serena should also be much more rested than Venus having breezed through her last two matches compared with Venus who has had to battle much harder.
There are some similarities in their games with both possessing a powerful serve that can set up the rest of their game, while Venus is better at the net and Serena has the bigger forehand. Baseline rallies should be dominated by Serena for the most part and I do think this is a really big test for Venus and one she is not likely to be able to pass.
Nerves can play a part with Serena on the brink of breaking Steffi Graf's record, while it will be emotional as Serena will likely know Venus won't have a better chance to win another Grand Slam. However I do think Serena has been able to put her attachment to Venus to the back of her mind much more effectively than Venus does and that can be important in deciding the outcome.
Matches between these siblings have tended to be close and competitive with the power on display meaning the player with the first strike tends to dominate. However Serena does tend to get a little more joy out of her serve consistently and I think she will be able to break down the Venus forehand the longer this match goes and I will look for her to win this match with a fairly comfortable margin.
It's been a great run for Venus Williams, but I am looking for Serena Williams to make a bit more history with a 6-4, 6-3 win in the Final on Saturday.
MY PICKS: Serena Williams - 4.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Australian Open Update: 48-35, + 24.10 Units (160 Units Staked, + 15.06% Yield)
There are plenty of easy storylines from the Venus Williams versus Serena Williams Women's Final and the Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal Men's Final that you have to think all eyes of the sporting world will be focused on Melbourne over the next two days.
Whoever is successful over the next couple of days are going to be popular winners and the Australian Open 2017 will go down as one of the more memorable Grand Slams of recent years.
It has also been a very good one for the picks which have produced some very good numbers over the last two weeks after some really poor ones to open the tournament. The turnaround from Day 5 to now has been significant and will be something that will hopefully set the tone for the rest of the 2017 season after a couple of tough years.
Not every week is going to be as good as the one I just had, but the key is to try and limit the damage on those bad weeks and pick up big numbers when things are going the way I have anticipated. That's the perfect way of doing things, but not always as possible as I would want in what is always a long grind to try and get on the right side of the numbers.
Serena Williams - 4.5 games v Venus Williams: When Venus Williams and Serena Williams last played in a Grand Slam Final at Wimbledon in 2009, it was elder sister Venus who went into the Final as the favourite. She had won three of four Wimbledon titles prior to that Final so it was not a big surprise, but it was Serena who came through the stronger and she has continued to dominate women's tennis ever since.
Injury and illness didn't help Venus since 2009, but she did reach two Quarter Finals and one Semi Final at the Slam level in 2010 before those began to really affect her. Up until the Australian Open in 2015, Venus Williams had only reached one Fourth Round as her best result in the Grand Slams in the previous four years.
Things have definitely looked better for Venus Williams in the last two years although this might be the last chance she really has to add to her seven Grand Slam titles. Her run through the draw has been impressive, but Venus is yet to play someone of the level of baby sister Serena and it has been much tougher graft for the 36 year old Venus.
That might take its toll in the Final against an opponent who has been playing very well in the entire tournament. Serena Williams' win over Johanna Konta, and the manner of the win, is the most impressive result either has had in the event and Serena should also be much more rested than Venus having breezed through her last two matches compared with Venus who has had to battle much harder.
There are some similarities in their games with both possessing a powerful serve that can set up the rest of their game, while Venus is better at the net and Serena has the bigger forehand. Baseline rallies should be dominated by Serena for the most part and I do think this is a really big test for Venus and one she is not likely to be able to pass.
Nerves can play a part with Serena on the brink of breaking Steffi Graf's record, while it will be emotional as Serena will likely know Venus won't have a better chance to win another Grand Slam. However I do think Serena has been able to put her attachment to Venus to the back of her mind much more effectively than Venus does and that can be important in deciding the outcome.
Matches between these siblings have tended to be close and competitive with the power on display meaning the player with the first strike tends to dominate. However Serena does tend to get a little more joy out of her serve consistently and I think she will be able to break down the Venus forehand the longer this match goes and I will look for her to win this match with a fairly comfortable margin.
It's been a great run for Venus Williams, but I am looking for Serena Williams to make a bit more history with a 6-4, 6-3 win in the Final on Saturday.
MY PICKS: Serena Williams - 4.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Australian Open Update: 48-35, + 24.10 Units (160 Units Staked, + 15.06% Yield)
Friday, 24 June 2011
Wimbledon Day 5 Picks
It was the best day of the week as far as my picks were concerned yesterday and I am hoping to add a few more units to the coffers today.
My outright picks are also in good shape, with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic progressing through another Round with ease and bringing us one step closer to the top 4 seeds reaching the Semi Final.
Maria Sharapova's match with Laura Robson was postponed because of rain, so she will have to win 2 matches in 2 days if she wants to reach the 2nd week of the tournament.
The weather looks like it will be bright for the majority of play tomorrow, although showers are due to arrive in the area in the evening.
Now on to Day 5 Picks:
Andy Roddick win 3-1 in sets vs Feliciano Lopez: I actually thought Lopez had more than half a chance of winning this match before the tournament started, but I now feel Andy Roddick is playing very well and also holds a mental edge over his opponent in this match.
Roddick improved to 7-0 against Lopez at Queens just 2 weeks ago, coming through in 3 tight sets. That means Lopez has taken at least 1 set in 3 of the last 4 meetings between the players.
With this match likely to see a couple of tie breakers, I would not be surprised if Roddick drops his first set of the tournament, even though I think he is playing well enough to come through in 4 sets.
Tomas Berdych - 7.5 games vs Alex Bogomolov Jr: Tomas Berdych has started this Wimbledon in fine fashion as he looks to make an impact like he did last year. He has blasted Julien Benneteau and Filippo Volandri away, losing just 12 games in the 6 sets he has competed.
Bogomolov was a surprise winner over Juan Ignacio Chela in the last Round, but this is an altogether tougher test. The American has not fared well on the grass in the past and I think he has taken advantage of a decent draw this time around.
However, I feel Berdych will end his participation in this year's tournament with a bit to spare.
Richard Gasquet - 6.5 games vs Simone Bolelli: Simone Bolelli really surprised me with this win over Stanislas Wawrinka in the last Round, but much of that was down to the poor performance of his opponent when it came down to the big points.
Now he faces Richard Gasquet, a player very accustomed to the grass courts, and also one that has been playing some fantastic tennis of late. Gasquet is yet to drop a set in this tournament.
The Frenchman also holds a 3-0 head to head lead over Bolelli, winning 6 of the 7 sets they have contested. 1 of those wins came on grass, with Gasquet winning 6-3, 6-3.
Bolelli was a little fortunate in the last Round, and I expect Gasquet to come through this one while clearing the handicap.
Venus Williams - 4.5 games vs Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez: This was supposed to be one of the highlights of the 3rd Round as it was supposed to be Venus Williams against Jelena Jankovic, but it was Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez who put pay to that.
Williams struggled to get by Kimiko Date-Krumm in the last Round, but that match may just give her the confidence to make a really deep run in the tournament.
Williams has also won both previous matches against the Spaniard, including a straight sets win here at Wimbledon in 2008, and I expect she will be focused after the scare of Wednesday to come through easily enough this time.
Tsvetana Pironkova + 4.5 games vs Vera Zvonareva: Now I have already advised an e/w pick of Vera Zvonareva in the tournament, but I think Pironkova is being a tad underestimated here on the spread. I still expect Zvonareva to find a way to get through, I just wouldn't be surprised if it went the distance.
They share a 1-1 record on the head to heads, with Zvonareva beating Pironkova in 3 sets last year in the Semi Final here.
Pironkova had been out of form before the grass court season began, but she has made easier progress through the draw here and pushed Serena Williams all the way last week in Eastbourne.
Personally, I would not be surprised if she pushes Zvonareva before perhaps falling in 3 sets.
MY PICKS: Andy Roddick win 3-1 in sets @ 3.5 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Tomas Berdych - 7.5 games @ 1.80 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Richard Gasquet - 6.5 games @ 2.05 BoyleSports (2 Units)
Venus Williams - 4.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Tsvetana Pironkova + 4.5 games @ 2.14 Pinnacle (2 Units)
WEEKLY UPDATE: + 7.03 Units (+ 6.2 Units Day 4)
My outright picks are also in good shape, with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic progressing through another Round with ease and bringing us one step closer to the top 4 seeds reaching the Semi Final.
Maria Sharapova's match with Laura Robson was postponed because of rain, so she will have to win 2 matches in 2 days if she wants to reach the 2nd week of the tournament.
The weather looks like it will be bright for the majority of play tomorrow, although showers are due to arrive in the area in the evening.
Now on to Day 5 Picks:
Andy Roddick win 3-1 in sets vs Feliciano Lopez: I actually thought Lopez had more than half a chance of winning this match before the tournament started, but I now feel Andy Roddick is playing very well and also holds a mental edge over his opponent in this match.
Roddick improved to 7-0 against Lopez at Queens just 2 weeks ago, coming through in 3 tight sets. That means Lopez has taken at least 1 set in 3 of the last 4 meetings between the players.
With this match likely to see a couple of tie breakers, I would not be surprised if Roddick drops his first set of the tournament, even though I think he is playing well enough to come through in 4 sets.
Tomas Berdych - 7.5 games vs Alex Bogomolov Jr: Tomas Berdych has started this Wimbledon in fine fashion as he looks to make an impact like he did last year. He has blasted Julien Benneteau and Filippo Volandri away, losing just 12 games in the 6 sets he has competed.
Bogomolov was a surprise winner over Juan Ignacio Chela in the last Round, but this is an altogether tougher test. The American has not fared well on the grass in the past and I think he has taken advantage of a decent draw this time around.
However, I feel Berdych will end his participation in this year's tournament with a bit to spare.
Richard Gasquet - 6.5 games vs Simone Bolelli: Simone Bolelli really surprised me with this win over Stanislas Wawrinka in the last Round, but much of that was down to the poor performance of his opponent when it came down to the big points.
Now he faces Richard Gasquet, a player very accustomed to the grass courts, and also one that has been playing some fantastic tennis of late. Gasquet is yet to drop a set in this tournament.
The Frenchman also holds a 3-0 head to head lead over Bolelli, winning 6 of the 7 sets they have contested. 1 of those wins came on grass, with Gasquet winning 6-3, 6-3.
Bolelli was a little fortunate in the last Round, and I expect Gasquet to come through this one while clearing the handicap.
Venus Williams - 4.5 games vs Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez: This was supposed to be one of the highlights of the 3rd Round as it was supposed to be Venus Williams against Jelena Jankovic, but it was Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez who put pay to that.
Williams struggled to get by Kimiko Date-Krumm in the last Round, but that match may just give her the confidence to make a really deep run in the tournament.
Williams has also won both previous matches against the Spaniard, including a straight sets win here at Wimbledon in 2008, and I expect she will be focused after the scare of Wednesday to come through easily enough this time.
Tsvetana Pironkova + 4.5 games vs Vera Zvonareva: Now I have already advised an e/w pick of Vera Zvonareva in the tournament, but I think Pironkova is being a tad underestimated here on the spread. I still expect Zvonareva to find a way to get through, I just wouldn't be surprised if it went the distance.
They share a 1-1 record on the head to heads, with Zvonareva beating Pironkova in 3 sets last year in the Semi Final here.
Pironkova had been out of form before the grass court season began, but she has made easier progress through the draw here and pushed Serena Williams all the way last week in Eastbourne.
Personally, I would not be surprised if she pushes Zvonareva before perhaps falling in 3 sets.
MY PICKS: Andy Roddick win 3-1 in sets @ 3.5 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Tomas Berdych - 7.5 games @ 1.80 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Richard Gasquet - 6.5 games @ 2.05 BoyleSports (2 Units)
Venus Williams - 4.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Tsvetana Pironkova + 4.5 games @ 2.14 Pinnacle (2 Units)
WEEKLY UPDATE: + 7.03 Units (+ 6.2 Units Day 4)
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Tennis Picks 16th June 2011
Well my treble from yesterday went up in smoke thanks to Kevin Anderson's disappointing display in his loss to Grigor Dimitrov. It just highlighted the fact that some players are already losing focus with this week and looking ahead to Wimbledon which starts on Monday.
This is making it tougher to find some value and I am not sure I will be having many more picks this week after today unless I can find some sort of edge in the match ups.
Now on to the picks for today:
Eastbourne
Venus Williams - 4.5 games vs Daniela Hantuchova: Interestingly, the Women's tournament here in Eastbourne has brought in many of the big names on the WTA Tour and we have a solid looking Quarter Final to enjoy (weather permitting).
Venus Williams may not have played since January, but you would not guess it from her totally one sided destruction of Ana Ivanovic yesterday. If she continues serving as she was, it will be the elder Williams sister that will be the danger in the next fortnight in South West London.
Daniela Hantuchova is a real tough cookie to beat on the grass, but I think there is a mental block when she meets one of the Williams sisters. She has lost 10 matches against Venus and is yet to win one... I think it was also telling in the French Open that she mentioned it was only thanks to the Williams that Hantuchova had not been beyond a 4th Round in Grand Slams before that tournament.
I will pick Venus to come through in good fashion again and really send out a statement to the rest of the WTA Tour before Wimbledon.
Julien Benneteau - 3.5 games vs Igor Kunitsyn: These two will not be on double duty tomorrow as they managed to book their tickets into the next Round before the weather took a turn for the worse.
Julien Benneteau had a good grass court season last year, and has come through 2 Rounds here this year. He lost to Michael Llodra last week in London, but did make the Quarter Finals here in Eastbourne last year.
Igor Kunitsyn has negotiated 2 Rounds here, but has shown almost no grass court form before. His serve is a weakness and he allows opponents too many chances to hurt him.
Both players have shown little form this year, but I think Benneteau has too much for Kunitsyn and will improve his 2-1 head to head record.
MY PICKS: Venus Williams - 4.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Julien Benneteau - 3.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
WEEKLY UPDATE: + 4.13 Units (- 1 Unit yesterday)
This is making it tougher to find some value and I am not sure I will be having many more picks this week after today unless I can find some sort of edge in the match ups.
Now on to the picks for today:
Eastbourne
Venus Williams - 4.5 games vs Daniela Hantuchova: Interestingly, the Women's tournament here in Eastbourne has brought in many of the big names on the WTA Tour and we have a solid looking Quarter Final to enjoy (weather permitting).
Venus Williams may not have played since January, but you would not guess it from her totally one sided destruction of Ana Ivanovic yesterday. If she continues serving as she was, it will be the elder Williams sister that will be the danger in the next fortnight in South West London.
Daniela Hantuchova is a real tough cookie to beat on the grass, but I think there is a mental block when she meets one of the Williams sisters. She has lost 10 matches against Venus and is yet to win one... I think it was also telling in the French Open that she mentioned it was only thanks to the Williams that Hantuchova had not been beyond a 4th Round in Grand Slams before that tournament.
I will pick Venus to come through in good fashion again and really send out a statement to the rest of the WTA Tour before Wimbledon.
Julien Benneteau - 3.5 games vs Igor Kunitsyn: These two will not be on double duty tomorrow as they managed to book their tickets into the next Round before the weather took a turn for the worse.
Julien Benneteau had a good grass court season last year, and has come through 2 Rounds here this year. He lost to Michael Llodra last week in London, but did make the Quarter Finals here in Eastbourne last year.
Igor Kunitsyn has negotiated 2 Rounds here, but has shown almost no grass court form before. His serve is a weakness and he allows opponents too many chances to hurt him.
Both players have shown little form this year, but I think Benneteau has too much for Kunitsyn and will improve his 2-1 head to head record.
MY PICKS: Venus Williams - 4.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Julien Benneteau - 3.5 games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
WEEKLY UPDATE: + 4.13 Units (- 1 Unit yesterday)
Monday, 13 June 2011
Tennis Picks June 13th 2011
Just a quick note to start off to say I will update my weekly and overall profit/loss tomorrow afternoon as I still have two picks running from the tournaments that should have concluded on Sunday but have been moved to Monday thanks to the heavy rain in the UK.
We now have tournaments in Eastbourne and Holland in the last week before Wimbledon starts and I have to say it is the Women's draws that have seen the majority of their big players in action. Many of the real Men's contenders decide to take this week off, and this year has been no different.
The biggest news is the return of the Williams sisters to the Women's tour- both Serena and Venus have been missed, but their returns will definitely spark some interest in the WTA. This week Eastbourne is where they will make their comebacks, in a tournament which looks to have a real star quality feel to it.
Obviously the biggest thing to concern us will be the motivation of players. There are some players due out in the Men's section that may feel they have a chance to do some real damage at Wimbledon (Jo-Wilfried Tsonga the main example) and so I am steering clear of outright picks with the real possibility players may 'tank' matches if they get behind.
Let's hope for another week where we can add to the coffers before the most famous Grand Slam in the Tennis World begins next Monday.
Eastbourne
Venus Williams win vs Andrea Petkovic: Andrea Petkovic is one of the most popular players on the WTA circuit, and was, ironically, Venus Williams' last opponent before injury, but I still dont think she has done enough to be favoured on the grass courts against any of the Williams sisters (and I mean even those that dont play tennis).
Venus loves the surface and it suits her game down to the ground. There are obvious concerns with a lack of match practice and whether all the injuries are cleared up, but it is unlike the Williams to turn up to a tournament without the intention of winning, something stated by Venus in an interview a couple of days ago.
We all know the pedigree Venus has on the surface, whereas Petkovic has struggled in tournaments played on grass bar in Holland last season when she reached the Final only to lose to Justine Henin.
This pick is based on the odds and I think it will be a LONG time before I see Venus as an outsider on grass against anyone but her sister.
Ordina Open
Nicolas Mahut win vs Adrian Mannarino: I think the bookies have made Nicolas Mahut the underdog thanks to Adrian Mannarino's run at Queens last week but I think that is a mistake here.
Mahut has plenty of grass court experience and enjoys most of his success on the main tour when playing on this surface. His attacking serve-volley game makes it tough for opponents on the faster courts and he has had some good results on grass over the last few years.
Adrian Mannarino had a big week at Queens, but he still hasn't convinced me that he should be favourite against a player like Mahut. He has already lost to Stephane Bohli and James Ward on grass courts this year, while his wins at Queens were the first he achieved on grass courts on the main ATP Tour.
Mahut and Mannarino are 1-1 in their head to head, but Mahut beat his compatriot in straight sets in London a couple of years ago. I still believe Mahut is the better grass court player.
MY PICKS: Andy Murray - 3.5 games @ 1.83 (2 Units) Still to Run
Daniela Hantuchova - 2.5 games @ 2.00 (2 Units) Still to Run
Venus Williams @ 2.38 William Hill (2 Unit)
Nicolas Mahut @ 2.2 BoyleSports (2 Units)
OVERALL UPDATE: Will be updated tomorrow once the Murray and Hantuchova picks are settled.
We now have tournaments in Eastbourne and Holland in the last week before Wimbledon starts and I have to say it is the Women's draws that have seen the majority of their big players in action. Many of the real Men's contenders decide to take this week off, and this year has been no different.
The biggest news is the return of the Williams sisters to the Women's tour- both Serena and Venus have been missed, but their returns will definitely spark some interest in the WTA. This week Eastbourne is where they will make their comebacks, in a tournament which looks to have a real star quality feel to it.
Obviously the biggest thing to concern us will be the motivation of players. There are some players due out in the Men's section that may feel they have a chance to do some real damage at Wimbledon (Jo-Wilfried Tsonga the main example) and so I am steering clear of outright picks with the real possibility players may 'tank' matches if they get behind.
Let's hope for another week where we can add to the coffers before the most famous Grand Slam in the Tennis World begins next Monday.
Eastbourne
Venus Williams win vs Andrea Petkovic: Andrea Petkovic is one of the most popular players on the WTA circuit, and was, ironically, Venus Williams' last opponent before injury, but I still dont think she has done enough to be favoured on the grass courts against any of the Williams sisters (and I mean even those that dont play tennis).
Venus loves the surface and it suits her game down to the ground. There are obvious concerns with a lack of match practice and whether all the injuries are cleared up, but it is unlike the Williams to turn up to a tournament without the intention of winning, something stated by Venus in an interview a couple of days ago.
We all know the pedigree Venus has on the surface, whereas Petkovic has struggled in tournaments played on grass bar in Holland last season when she reached the Final only to lose to Justine Henin.
This pick is based on the odds and I think it will be a LONG time before I see Venus as an outsider on grass against anyone but her sister.
Ordina Open
Nicolas Mahut win vs Adrian Mannarino: I think the bookies have made Nicolas Mahut the underdog thanks to Adrian Mannarino's run at Queens last week but I think that is a mistake here.
Mahut has plenty of grass court experience and enjoys most of his success on the main tour when playing on this surface. His attacking serve-volley game makes it tough for opponents on the faster courts and he has had some good results on grass over the last few years.
Adrian Mannarino had a big week at Queens, but he still hasn't convinced me that he should be favourite against a player like Mahut. He has already lost to Stephane Bohli and James Ward on grass courts this year, while his wins at Queens were the first he achieved on grass courts on the main ATP Tour.
Mahut and Mannarino are 1-1 in their head to head, but Mahut beat his compatriot in straight sets in London a couple of years ago. I still believe Mahut is the better grass court player.
MY PICKS: Andy Murray - 3.5 games @ 1.83 (2 Units) Still to Run
Daniela Hantuchova - 2.5 games @ 2.00 (2 Units) Still to Run
Venus Williams @ 2.38 William Hill (2 Unit)
Nicolas Mahut @ 2.2 BoyleSports (2 Units)
OVERALL UPDATE: Will be updated tomorrow once the Murray and Hantuchova picks are settled.
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