French Open Outright Picks 2014 (May 25th-June 8th)

The second Grand Slam tournament of the season is definitely one of my favourite ones through the season and that has nothing to do with the fantastic time I had at Roland Garros last year either.

I have personally always been fascinated by the clay courts which was much more mysterious during the non-internet years, especially compared with the up-tempo Wimbledon event that was covered thoroughly by the BBC.

Nowadays we don't have the extremely strong clay court specialists that made it so difficult for the likes of Pete Sampras in Paris, especially not with the uniform nature of courts throughout the world. I'm a big fan of the idea of making the court speeds a little different from week to week, but we have to make do with what we have and that means the recognised names are at the top of the market for the outright winner as we would expect in any of the events they enter.

French Open Men's Draw

The Number 1 Seed who is sitting proudly at the top of the French Open draw is Rafael Nadal, a player that has won the event eight times in his career, but he is still coming into the event as the second favourite according to the outright market.

That was a surprise on one hand as I think beating Nadal in a best of five set match on the clay has proved virtually impossible over the last decade, although he needed to ride his luck in his Semi Final with Novak Djokovic last season.

I have been saying for a few weeks that Nadal has been looking vulnerable, but the draw was going to be important and I don't think he would be too disappointed with how it has panned out for him. Of course, Nicolas Almagro and David Ferrer are potential Fourth Round and Quarter Final opponents for Nadal and both have beaten him on the clay over the last six weeks, but a best of five set match is a different proposition altogether and I am not convinced in either player managing to do it in Paris.

The conditions don't favour Nadal early in the week, but I would expect him to negotiate those early Rounds and get into a position to have another big assault at winning the French Open crown for a ridiculous ninth time.

Grigor Dimitrov is another player I wanted to keep onside at the beginning of the tournament, but I don't think he would be good enough to beat Ferrer and Nadal which he would likely have to do to reach the Semi Final and the Bulgarian's time to shine may have to wait for at least one more Grand Slam.

Stanislas Wawrinka is the player that Nadal is most likely going to have beat in the Semi Final if he manages to get through to that stage as I expect the top seeded player in the second quarter to find his way through the draw. The Swiss Number 1 has admitted that he has found it a little difficult to cope with the expectation that comes from winning his maiden Grand Slam title of the season at the Australian Open back in January, but the draw couldn't have been kinder for him in my opinion.

It's not completely plain sailing, but I am sure Wawrinka would back himself to beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Fabio Fognini which could be his toughest opponents early in the tournament.

I also believe this could be a stronger tournament for Andy Murray who is close to naming a new coach and who is regularly not amongst the contenders on the clay courts. This is his worst surface by some distance, but Murray won't be too intimidated by the first four opponents he is likely to see this week.

The biggest issue ahead of the potential Quarter Final with Stanislas Wawrinka may be the Dusseldorf Champion Philipp Kohlschreiber, but the German is coming off a long week and may have too much tennis in his legs in the potential Third Round clash.

Other players like Richard Gasquet, who hasn't played a single clay court match this season having been off the Tour since Miami, and Fernando Verdasco, who is as inconsistent as ever, don't really appeal to block the Murray route and I can see the top two seeded players in the section meeting in the Quarter Final.

The third quarter of the draw might be the most intriguing in the men's draw as there will be some doubts over what the top two seeded players in this section can achieve this week. Tomas Berdych and Roger Federer have both performed well in Paris in the past, but I think both could be vulnerable this week.

Berdych has a couple of matches I would expect him to negotiate very comfortably, but someone like Roberto Bautista-Agut could prove to be too awkward in the Third Round, especially if the courts are playing a little slower under the damp conditions.

On the other hand, Roger Federer has recently become the father of another set of twins and I am not sure how much practice time he has under his belt for this Grand Slam tournament and we may not see the best of him until Wimbledon. However, I doubt Federer could have hand-picked a better draw unless the Nice Champion, Ernests Gulbis, can replicate the form that took him to his best ever result in a Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2008.

Those doubts over the top two players may open the door for the veteran Tommy Robredo to make his way through the draw and surpass his Quarter Final performance here in Paris from twelve months ago. He showed his mental resiliency in coming from two sets to love down to win three straight matches last year in Paris and he has a win on the clay courts over Berdych last season and also beat Federer in the US Open.

Robredo's form isn't the best, but the clay courts agree with him and I think he has a real chance to play himself into the tournament and could be the surprise package from the section.

The final section of the men's draw holds the favourite to win his first French Open title in Novak Djokovic, but the Serb's credentials are going to be tested almost immediately. The wrist that had been a big concern for Djokovic during this clay court season didn't adversely affect him as he won in Rome which made the World Number 2 the outright favourite to win the title, but he likely has to deal with Jeremy Chardy as soon as the Second Round.

Chardy beat Federer in Rome and while I would expect Djokovic to come through that test, the likes of Marin Cilic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga could be the next two opponents. Cilic is someone who can raise his game and reach almost unplayable heights against anyone, while Tsonga has had a couple of big years at his home Grand Slam and pushed Djokovic to five sets here in 2012.

With the weather likely to play havoc early in the tournament, Djokovic may be asking to push his wrist in best of five set matches on consecutive days and it will be interesting to see if the likes of Cilic and Tsonga can perhaps find the inspired tennis to knock off the favourite in the relatively early stages of the tournament.

I think there would have been a lot of people rushing to back Kei Nishikori after his achievements during the clay court swing with a title in Barcelona and a runner-up spot in Madrid, but the back injury that forced him out of the latter Final is hard to ignore. If he was fully healthy, he might have been the threat in this section, while my thoughts on Milos Raonic means I would find it hard to back him in a normal situation.

The draw has made this anything but a normal situation for Raonic who has been given a pretty good opportunity to get through to the Quarter Final at the very least. The one player that could potentially cause an obstacle is Alexandr Dolgopolov but he has come off the form he was showing earlier in the season and his inconsistencies remain a concern for those that back him.

The outright market for the winner of the French Open is dominated by the two best players in the world and I can't help but think Rafael Nadal is vastly overpriced considering all the success he has had in Roland Garros throughout his career.

I also feel he has the more 'comfortable' path through to the Final than Novak Djokovic who could be extremely tested by the likes of Marin Cilic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, although it does feel that the two top players will meet in the Final in two weeks time.

Still, I will back Rafael Nadal at this stage and be on the look out for a surprise in the bottom half of the draw.

Talking of surprises, I am also backing Tommy Robredo to come through the Third Quarter of the draw for a small interest- as I highlighted above, there are some doubts over the two top players in that section and Robredo did reach the Quarter Final last season in Paris. He did beat Roger Federer in the US Open last season so will feel better on the clay courts and even the poor form shown by Robredo in the clay court season could be forgotten.

Women's French Open Draw

The men's draw is much more fascinating despite the feeling that the top two players are likely to come through to contest the Final that everyone wants to see in two weeks time. Even with that in mind, there are players through the draw that will feel they can at least stun Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic if either player is not in top shape for the tournament and I don't think the same can be said about the women's draw.

Let's face it- if Serena Williams turns up, she could blitz her way through the draw and win the tournament for the second year in a row, but the one factor that continues to nag away in the back of the mind is her number of surprising losses in Grand Slam tournaments over the last two and a half years that she has once again dominated the WTA Tour.

Virginie Razzano beat Serena here two years ago, while losses to the likes of Sloane Stephens, Sabine Lisicki and Ana Ivanovic over the last eighteen months in the Majors has to be a concern to those backing Serena at short odds.

The aforementioned Lisicki and Razzano are both in Williams' section of the draw as is big sister Venus, but it is tough to see Serena losing considering the way she came through the tournament in Rome to erase doubts about a thigh injury that forced her out of Madrid.

Maria Sharapova would be the biggest beneficiary of an early surprise loss for Serena Williams, but I can't favour the Russian to come out of the section as long as the latter is in the draw considering the head to head between the players.

I wouldn't be holding much hope for Agnieszka Radwanska from the second quarter of the draw if she made it through to the Semi Final of the tournament either, although the Pole is a player that can always find at least one player too good for her. She is a solid competitor, but can be outhit by players on the Tour and I think she is destined to never win a Major (famous last words perhaps).

The draw hasn't been unkind to her though and that is in her favour in case Serena Williams is beaten before the Semi Finals, but even in that scenario I wouldn't be rushing to back Radwanska to knock off her likely opponent in Maria Sharapova.

I am not sure anyone in this section is going to prevent Radwanska reaching the Semi Final but I expect that is where her tournament will come to an end.

The third section of the draw looks much more competitive with the likes of Simona Halep, Ana Ivanovic, Petra Kvitova and Sloane Stephens all capable of coming through the draw.

Of those three players, Kvitova is one that has struggled for her form ever since she won Wimbledon three years ago, and I would be very surprised if she was to get through to the Semi Final. The draw means she would have to face Svetlana Kuznetsova early in the tournament and I think it would be a real turn in form for Kvitova to come through.

Someone like Ivanovic has shown some improvements over the last two months, but she is still inconsistent and Stephens has raised her game at the Slams but is probably on her worst surface.

That leaves Halep who has beaten both Ivanovic and Kvitova during this clay court season and who showed her ability on a clay court by reaching the Final in Madrid. The draw also should give Halep the chance to build momentum through the section and I think she could prove how far she has improved over the last twelve months by erasing memories of her First Round exit at this same event.

Finally we get to the last section of the draw and Na Li will be expected to be the player that not only comes through the section, but the most likely one to be playing in the Final in two weeks time. Li is a former winner at the French Open back in 2011, which was a surprise to her but proved she could perform on the clay courts.

Li actually has her second best winning percentage at the French Open and the draw here looks good considering the doubts about Caroline Wozniacki who is the player seeded to meet her in the Fourth Round.

There is going to be a moment where Li will struggle, but if she can get through those difficult times, she should be able to go very close to winning the tournament and at least getting the chance to play for the trophy.

One player who could beat Li before the Semi Final is Jelena Jankovic but the Serb would have to beat Sara Errani who reached the Final in Rome in the last Premier Event. Errani loves the clay courts and has reached the Final in Roland Garros before and I think she may prove a little too good for Jankovic in the Fourth Round that they could potentially meet.

While Jankovic could give Li a lot of problems, Errani only just held on to beat a sick Li in Rome and their past history suggests it would be tough to back the Italian to beat her again.

Like the men's draw, the outright market has the correct two players at the head of the choices and I think I will have an interest in both Serena Williams and Na Li- if Williams is on her game, she will win the event, but Li could be a good cover if the American is beaten early in the draw as she was in the Australian Open earlier this season which was eventually won by Li.

I also think backing Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep to come through the second and third sections of the draw could be worth backing at the prices. As I said above, I think both have been handed good draws to achieve those aims and can go deep in the tournament, even if I believe the Williams-Li combination will prove too good for them in the Semi Finals.

MY PICKS: Rafael Nadal @ 2.88 Bet Fred (4 Units)

Tommy Robredo to win Third Quarter @ 26.00 Paddy Power (0.5 Units)

Serena Williams @ 2.25 Ladbrokes (4 Units)

Na Li @ 7.00 Sporting Bet (1 Unit E/W)

Agnieszka Radwanska to win the Second Quarter @ 3.00 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Simona Halep to win the Third Quarter @ 3.00 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Weekly Final: 9-7, + 3.06 Units (31 Units Staked, + 9.87% Yield)

Season 2014: + 34.70 Units (688 Units Staked, + 5.04% Yield)

Season 2013: + 21.74 Units (1251.5 Units Staked, + 1.73% Yield)
Season 2012: + 49.21 Units (855 Units Staked, + 5.76% Yield)
Season 2011: + 82.02 Units

Australian Open Outright Picks 2014 (January 13-26)

It has been a tough start to the new tennis season for the picks, but I am looking forward to the first Grand Slam of the season at the Australian Open, although it has regularly been a tournament that has had a number of surprises. That shouldn't be unexpected considering how early in the season this tournament takes place with most players coming off a long lay off before taking part.

In an ideal world, I think this tournament should be pushed back another month so players can get into a better rhythm when reaching Melbourne Park, but the Tour is pretty set in stone to this point and I don't foresee that happening any time soon.


The familiar faces will be the leading contenders this week in both the men's and women's events, particularly with the way the draws have panned out. Below you can see my preview of both events as well as the outright picks from this two week tournament.

Men's Tournament

First Quarter

For the first time since the Wimbledon tournament of 2011, Rafael Nadal, has the privilege of being the Number 1 seed at a Grand Slam tournament. After a stellar return from a seven month lay off in 2013, Nadal won 2 of the 3 Grand Slam tournaments he competed in and returned to the World Number 1 Ranking in October, but he remains the second favourite to win this event after the draw confirmed that.

He hasn't been given the easiest starts to the tournament with home hope Bernard Tomic in the First Round, but the latter has too many lapses in his play to think he can win a best of five set match against the Spaniard.

Gael Monfils has made a strong start to 2014 and could produce fireworks in a potential Third Round clash against Nadal, while a rejuvenated Lleyton Hewitt beat Roger Federer in Brisbane to win the title and would be a potential Fourth Round opponent.

While they can make life difficult, it again seems a little far-fetched to see either of those players being able to ride the crest of a wave for over three hours against Nadal in a best of five set match.

The biggest danger for Nadal will most likely come from the bottom half of this quarter in the form of Juan Martin Del Potro who won the title in Sydney last week and is one of the few players that can hit through Nadal consistently when on his game. He had a poor 2013 Australian Open which resulted in an early exit, but the draw looks a decent one for Del Potro to get comfortable into the event this time around.

Someone like Grigor Dimitrov or Milos Raonic could be a troublesome Fourth Round opponent for Del Potro, but anything other than the seeded Quarter Final would be a surprise and it may come down to which of the two players has negotiated their way through the draw more effectively.

First Quarter Prediction: I like Rafael Nadal to come through against Juan Martin Del Potro

Second Quarter

The second quarter of the draw looks one of the more open ones in the section as the two highest seeded players, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, have some big questions to answer if they are to get through to the Semi Final.

Andy Murray is coming off a long lay-off where he went through surgery on his back and the expectation in the British camp has been kept fairly low due to that with his best tennis not expected until later in the season. The draw hasn't helped Murray with a potentially tough Third Round match against Judy Murray's favourite, Feliciano Lopez, and the Fourth Round seeded to play John Isner, although the big American has been hobbled despite winning in Auckland.

Roger Federer may have reached the Final in Brisbane, but a defeat to Lleyton Hewitt in that event once again highlighted that the former World Number 1 is as vulnerable as he has been for a few years and he can't expect an easy passage through the draw. Someone like Fernando Verdasco would have been a routine win for Federer in years gone by, but he has lost to worse players than the Spaniard which makes that Third Round match look dangerous.

The biggest threat in the section to both men may come in the form of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a former Finalist at the Australian Open, but one who has to negotiate a couple of tough early matches himself. Tsonga pushed Federer to five sets here last season and has beaten Andy Murray in an exhibition match so the Frenchman could be the man to come through to face Nadal from an awkward portion of the draw.

Second Quarter Prediction: How about a surprise Semi Finalist in the form of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga?

Third Quarter

While the second quarter of the draw has the star names, the third quarter looks one devoid of serious threats to win the whole tournament, even with the Number 3 seeded David Ferrer and Number 7 seeded Tomas Berdych in the section.

Out of the two players, I think Berdych is the one that can come through with the way the draw has panned out as he has the lesser question marks about him compared with Ferrer who I do think will slide down the Rankings this season.

Berdych has a couple of comfortable Rounds to negotiate and should get the better of either Ivo Karlovic or Ivan Dodig in the Third Round despite losing to the former in Doha. He has dominated Kevin Anderson, a potential Fourth Round opponent, although the bigger threat may come from Tommy Haas.

The German veteran, however, failed to really produce consistently in the Grand Slams last season and has too many lapses to guarantee his place in the Fourth Round, especially with Kevin Anderson as a Third Round opponent albeit one that hasn't played a match this season because of an infection.

In the last couple of years, David Ferrer could be said to have landed in a great section of the draw, but the last six months has seen his consistency begin to slip. Even matches where I would expect him to win have seen the Spaniard fall to a defeat and he isn't as trustworthy to beat those he should anymore.

The draw hasn't produced a genuine player that I would fancy to beat a Ferrer on form, but someone like Jeremy Chardy could be the man to do so in the Third Round or perhaps Alexandr Dolgopolov, although the latter is another that can be erratic at best.

Third Quarter Prediction: Tomas Berdych may take advantage of David Ferrer's loss of form

Fourth Quarter

Novak Djokovic has won this event three times in a row and is the big favourite to make it four in a row after the draw was made at the end of last week. It would be a big surprise to me if Novak Djokovic was to drop more than a couple of sets in the first four matches he is likely to play here, that is how kind the draw has been for him, and I expect him to get through to the Quarter Final without too many real concerns.

That Quarter Final will present his biggest challenge of the tournament to that point with the likes of Richard Gasquet and Stanislas Wawrinka the two big players in that part of the draw.

Gasquet has definitely improved mentally and I think his run at the US Open will give him more confidence that he deserves his place amongst the best players on the Tour. Wawrinka will have the same mental belief coming into this season after an impressive 2013 himself and could very much overtake Roger Federer as the Swiss Number 1 by the end of the year.

The problem for these two players is that they are likely going to face one another in the Quarter Final and anything like a repeat of their French Open Fourth Round clash from last season could see Djokovic pick at the carcass in the next Round.

I think Djokovic will certainly hope it isn't Wawrinka who comes through after the latter gave him fits at the Australian and US Opens in 2013, but he might also be fortunate in facing a tired opponent by that point and take full advantage.

Fourth Quarter Prediction: Novak Djokovic has the most comfortable path to the Semi Final

Winner and Outright Picks

Out of all the potential winners of this tournament, Novak Djokovic has to be rubbing his hands together at the way the draw has panned out and I think it will take something special to stop him winning at Melbourne Park for the fourth time in a row and for his fifth time overall.

His path through to the Final means he will miss most of the real contenders for the title until the Final and he may be in a position to pick off someone who has come through a much harder part of the section. There is the alternative belief that the player coming out of the top half will at least be battle-hardened, but I think Djokovic has so much experience that he will be ready to go and coming through a couple of tough matches in the Quarter Final and Semi Final will aid him enough.

It's a little boring and 'in the box' to think that Rafael Nadal is going to be his most likely opponent, although the Spaniard has a couple of real obstacles to negotiate. Roger Federer and Andy Murray look vulnerable so I will back Novak Djokovic to win the event yet again, even at odds on.

The vulnerabilities of Murray and Federer that I highlighted above means I will also have a small interest in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to come through the second quarter of the draw and I will also back Tomas Berdych in the third quarter of the draw.

Women's Tournament

First Quarter

There is no doubt which player is going to be the favourite to win any tournament she enters this season and the Number 1 seed is rightly where Serena Williams finds herself going into the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. There is a real suggestion that Williams goal for the year is to win every Grand Slam title and exert her dominance over the women's game.

Williams can't have asked for a much better draw as her two main rivals are in the opposite half of the draw and her quarter looks like one that won't pose too many problems. Ana Ivanovic did win a title to open 2014, but I don't fancy her chances in a potential Fourth Round match, while Sam Stosur has consistently flattered to deceive at her home Grand Slam.

The likes of Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani don't have the power to really compete with someone like Williams and it looks a straight-forward task for the American to reach the Semi Final if I am being brutally honest.

First Quarter Prediction: Serena Williams, who else?

Second Quarter

The second quarter of the draw is actually much more competitive and should be more exciting to see which of the players can come through. The top seeded players are Na Li and Petra Kvitova but you can't rest on the likes of Angelique Kerber, Venus Williams and Ekaterina Makarova, although the latter two players meet in the First Round to thin the crowded section.

Other dangerous players in the section include Lucie Safarova, Elena Vesnina and Sabine Lisicki, but I expect the player out of the ones highlighted will come through to the Semi Final against Serena Williams.

Li, Kvitova and Kerber can all point to decent form to open 2014, as can Venus Williams, and it is a difficult section to really separate with all the tough matches to account for.

However, I think Kvitova is the player that may have the more comfortable early matches that can put her in a good position once she reaches the potential Fourth Round match against Kerber and the Quarter Final against whoever comes through. Na Li is the biggest threat through her seeding and she has the best head to head record against the players in this section as well as reaching the Final at Melbourne Park twice.

The Li-Kvitova potential Quarter Final could be a brilliant one for the neutrals, but there is going to be plenty of tennis to be played before we get to that point.

Second Quarter Prediction: Na Li to beat Petra Kvitova in three sets

Third Quarter

The third quarter of the women's draw is very much like the first in that there isn't a lot of players that you would look to if you wanted to find an alternative to Maria Sharapova winning the section.

Sharapova may be coming back from an injury that kept her out of the back end of 2013, but she looks head and shoulders above the players she is likely to meet with the biggest threat coming from the top half of the quarter in Jelena Jankovic.

However, even the Serb won't inspire confidence with her poor head to head record against Sharapova and Jankovic is also one of the weirdest players to get a read on. There are many times I have seen Jankovic lose matches to players she should beat comfortably so it is possible she won't even reach that potential Quarter Final and I think Sharapova comes through with relative comfort.

Third Quarter Prediction: Maria Sharapova

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter of the draw is where the two time defending Champion, Victoria Azarenka, has been placed and she will be fairly happy with the way the draw has landed for her.

However, I don't think it is as straight-forward as the one that Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova have to negotiate, especially with a tough Fourth Round match against Sloane Stephens perhaps on the cards for Azarenka.

That will be a rematch from the controversial Semi Final from last season if it comes to fruition, but Stephens has had an injury concern from the Hopman Cup and it wouldn't be a huge shock if the young American is knocked out before that potential rematch.

There are also enough doubts about what Agnieszka Radwanska can do at this tournament to think that she would be able to get the better of Azarenka who at least showed some form in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago. Azarenka has dominated the head to head between these two players too and she looks the favourite to come out of the section.

Winner and Outright Picks

I think most people are going to be backing Serena Williams to take home the title at Melbourne Park in this fortnight and you can understand the thinking behind that with the way she dominated in 2013. However, Williams only won 2 of the 4 Slams last year and is always liable to throw in one really poor match which makes her odds on quotes look a little too short.

Instead, I think a small interest in the two-time defending Champion, Victoria Azarenka, is worth having as someone who isn't afraid to take on Williams and seems to have the right mentality to at least make a match against her. Azarenka will also look to expose the nervousness of a player that hasn't won in Australia since 2010 and one who has suffered surprise losses in back to back years at Melbourne Park.

Both players have decent draws, although Azarenka faces the potentially tougher Semi Final if she meets Maria Sharapova, but that is another match the World Number 2 seems to enjoy and I think a unit on Azarenka is warranted.

MY OUTRIGHT PICKS: Novak Djokovic @ 1.83 Ladbrokes (6 Units)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Win Second Quarter @ 5.50 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Tomas Berdych Win Third Quarter @ 2.75 Stan James (1 Unit)

Victoria Azarenka @ 6.50 Coral (1 Unit)

US Open Outright Picks 2013 (August 26-September 9)

To say it has been a really poor last two months would be a real understatement when it comes to the tennis picks made, but the frustrating aspect is how close some of the picks have come... That has been a constant source of disappointment and was again highlighted by Juan Martin Del Potro in his Semi Final collapse against John Isner in Cincinnati- he got to match points without giving up a break point, choked it and then proceeded to get broken two of the next three times he served.

That kind of weird situation aside, the outright picks have been a stream of disappointment after players continue to get close before failing- the failings of Novak Djokovic have hurt, while the one time I backed Rafael Nadal to win a tournament this season, he lost in the First Round at Wimbledon.

Things can swing in roundabouts and it has been a poor time- bad luck is one thing, but I have also been guilty of making some bad picks when I wasn't convinced of their suitability and that is down to me. Hopefully the US Open will provide a boost to the coffers although I am expecting a lesser success at the end of the Tour this season as the last two have provided.

Men's Tournament

First Quarter

The Number 1 seed at Flushing Meadows is still Novak Djokovic although he could very easily have been knocked off the top spot in the World Rankings by the time the Australian Open comes around in January, especially if Rafael Nadal continues displaying the form he has since his return.

Djokovic is under pressure to cement his place at the top of the Rankings in tennis viewers minds at this tournament as he currently holds just one of the Grand Slams and his two main rivals, Nadal and Andy Murray, both have the chance to hold two. The points may still call Djokovic the Number 1 player in the World for the time being, but he has to win this tournament to really show that is still the case in reality and not just the twelve month period of consistency.

Up until the Quarter Final, I expect Djokovic will be good enough to come through the draw with few problems, although Grigor Dimitrov will provide something of a test in the Third Round.

The Quarter Final has him seeded to meet Juan Martin Del Potro and the former US Open winner is certainly one of the most dangerous players in the draw. However, Del Potro can be a little vulnerable at times, especially early in the draw and the potential Second Round match against the winner of the Brian Baker-Lleyton Hewitt clash is certainly one potential banana skin before he gets to the Quarter Final.

Other players in the this section like Tommy Haas and Mikhail Youzhny are having strong seasons in their veteran status, but neither would be putting the fear of God in Juan Martin Del Potro and this is likely to be a clash between the top two seeded players in the quarter.

Novak Djokovic beat Del Potro here at the same stage last season and I would expect him to be too strong again- even at Wimbledon, Djokovic blew the chance of winning his Semi Final against the big Argentine in four sets, and he will be focused not to waste energy this time with big matches to be played after this Quarter Final.

First Quarter: Novak Djokovic with a four set win over Juan Martin Del Potro

Second Quarter

We won't be a seeing a repeat of the last US Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon Final this year as Andy Murray was dropped from his Number 2 seed by Rafael Nadal ahead of the tournament and the defending Champion has been placed in the second quarter of the draw this year.

Murray may have been given what looks a semi-awkward start against the serve-volleying of Michael Llodra, but his run through to the Quarter Finals present almost no real dangers as long as the British player is on his game.

I think the days of Murray having a real lapse in the Grand Slams have gone now that he has two under his belt, although this is the first time he enters a Slam as a defending Champion. I don't foresee that producing early problems and there is not one player in the top half of this quarter that I think could take more than a set off of Murray in a best of five at Grand Slam level.

It does seem Murray has been a touch fortunate on that front because the bottom half of the draw has a couple of real awkward characters in it. The favourite to get through to the Quarter Final will be Tomas Berdych, who reached the Semi Final here last year and also beat Murray in Cincinnati earlier this month.

Berdych should come through the early Rounds with few problems, but he can be wildly erratic on his day and there have been a number of Grand Slam tournaments where he has been a surprise early casualty in the seeded ranks.  However, I would expect him to come through to face either Kevin Anderson or Stanislas Wawrinka, although neither of those players has shown the form at the Masters tournaments to think they would be able to stop what should be a confident Berdych by the Fourth Round.

Andy Murray v Tomas Berdych is a very interesting match up- Berdych leads the head to head, but Murray adapted to the terrible conditions better than Berdych did when they met in the Semi Final here last year to level their Grand Slam matches at 1-1. There is no doubt that Berdych has the power and the mentality to knock off Murray and may well be aided by the fact that it will be for a place in the Semi Final rather than the Final... It is hard to go against Murray considering his form at Wimbledon and the conditions in New York certainly are more to the Brit's liking, but Berdych could spring the surprise.

Second Quarter: Tomas Berdych in five tough sets over Andy Murray, but I hate under-estimating how good Murray is these days.

Third Quarter

Now that the big four have become the big three, there was always a real chance that one of the quarters at the US Open would be void of a really big name- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's absence from the tournament hasn't helped and it is the third quarter where we could see a surprise Semi Finalist.

Usually, David Ferrer would certainly be favoured to come through a wide open section like this one, but the Spaniard has been in terrible form this summer and I am not convinced that he is 100% healthy. He was suffering with some kind of issue at Wimbledon and whether that is still lingering means the doubts about the Number 4 seed are too real to consider him to come through.

Ferrer is a former Semi Finalist in New York so he does have the pedigree, but he didn't play well in Montreal or Cincinnati against opponents he would be expected to beat comfortably so he has to be ignored over the next two weeks.

The draw hasn't been unkind to Ferrer and gives him a chance to play his way into the tournament if I am being fair, but the potential Third Round match against Ernests Gulbis has warning signs flashing brightly all around it for the Spaniard. Gulbis has been a disappointment at Grand Slam level for the most part and I have been expecting him to make a push at this level at the last two events at the French Open and Wimbledon, but it hasn't come as it perhaps should have with the talent he possesses.

Gulbis should get through to the Third Round comfortably, but the match up on a usual day against the terrier like performance of Ferrer would not be a great one. However, on current form, you have to say that the Latvian has a huge chance of emulating his best performance here by reaching the Fourth Round.

I am not convinced that Gulbis has enough to hold himself together mentally for enough best of five set matches to get through to the Semi Final and we may yet have to wait a few more months before he is ready to have his best year on the Tour. Dangerous players like Jerzy Janowicz, Richard Gasquet, Milos Raonic and possibly Feliciano Lopez are perhaps better players to look at as a surprise Semi Finalist.

Janowicz can at least point to the fact that he reached that position at Wimbledon, although an injury to his forearm has to be a concern, while the other three players I mentioned have all got fragile mental strengths.

Third Quarter: Either Richard Gasquet, who has a very nice draw, or Jerzy Janowicz if he proves to be healthy and ready to go.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter of the draw sees two old rivals once more on a collision path, although it will actually be the first time they have met in New York despite long and illustrious careers.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are two of the most famous names in men's tennis, but have traded places when it comes to favouritism on the hard courts and I would be extremely surprised if many have tipped Federer to get the better of the Spaniard here when you consider recent form of these two players.

There shouldn't be an under-estimation of Nadal's first opponent this week as he meets Ryan Harrison, one of the big hopes of American tennis, although I can't see the youngster have enough flashy winners to keep Nadal at bay in a best of five set match.

Other awkward matches against an in-from Vasek Pospisil and John Isner are also ahead of Nadal before the Quarter Final, but as long as he remains focused, he would expect to win those matches.

Unlike Nadal, Roger Federer has a chance to play himself into the tournament and I would expect the Swiss man to still have too much in the tank for Sam Querrey in a potential Third Round match. A bigger concern may be a potential Fourth Round clash with the talented, but extremely inconsistent, Kei Nishikori- the Japanese player has beaten Federer already this season and has the game to certainly trouble the 17 time Grand Slam Champion, although there is no guarantee he gets through someone like Bernard Tomic or Tommy Robredo.

If we do end up seeing Nadal v Federer for the first time in New York, I would be surprised if the former isn't the winner... He has always had the style to give Federer problems, but the lack of confidence in some of Federer's play over the course of the season means I could not back him to win that match and you can't ignore the fact that Nadal has a strong winning record against Federer on this surface.

Fourth Quarter: It has to be Rafael Nadal who will be battle hardened by the time he reaches the Semi Final

Winner

If Rafael Nadal's knees are holding up on the hard courts, which he clearly must feel after back to back Masters wins in Montreal and Cincinnati, then it is hard to see anyone taking out the Spaniard before the Final from the bottom half of the draw.

The best of five nature of a Grand Slam does raise some doubts about Nadal's fitness, especially the way he went down at Wimbledon, but his form in the two Masters events certainly makes him the man to beat as far as I am concerned.

We may see a repeat of the 2010 and 2011 Finals here at the US Open as I do think Novak Djokovic is going to be the last man standing from the top half of the draw, although he has fallen in some big matches earlier this season in a concerning manner.

His previous Indian sign over Rafael Nadal has not been there in their recent matches and back to back matches against Juan Martin Del Potro and potentially Andy Murray is a big ask before facing Nadal, although the men's Final has been moved to the Monday.

Current form dictates that the favourite is correct at the tournament with Rafael Nadal leading the way, especially with the way the draw has panned out and the Spaniard will be my pick.

My other pick from the men's draw will be taking Richard Gasquet to come out of the third quarter- I am the first to say that it is an open draw and anyone could come through, but the Frenchman has been given what looks a favourable draw on paper and looks far too big a price. If he has a tough Quarter Final, it could be worth laying him off then, but I will put Gasquet in my staking plan to win the third quarter.

Women's Tournament

First Quarter

There is no doubt that Serena Williams is still the player to beat in any tournament she enters and it is no surprise that she will be going off as an odds on favourite to win this tournament as defending Champion, especially with Maria Sharapova out of the draw.

However, Williams can be vulnerable early in tournaments and she can always be upset as she has been in Australia and England in Slams this season and there is one player in her section that will know how to upset Serena at the very highest level.

Sloane Stephens is a potential Fourth Round opponent who beat Serena at the Australian Open back in January and she has the confidence to upset the apple-cart as shown with her win over Maria Sharapova this summer. If Williams and Stephens met 10 times on a hard court, I would back Serena to win the match 9 times, but there is every chance that the young American could cause a huge sensation in the Fourth Round.

Another former US Open is also in the first quarter of the draw, but Serena's older sister Venus Williams is not the player of old and I would be surprised to see her in the second week of the tournament. Angelique Kerber has reached the Semi Final here before, but her form hasn't been great this summer and she has found herself coming up a little short a few times in 2013.

First Quarter: Serena Williams can't be opposed in 99 out of 100 occasions with the draw as it is, but Sloane Stephens is a live threat.

Second Quarter

The women's event is very top heavy according to the layers and this second quarter of the draw looks one that could be one by a number of players, although the third and fourth favourites to win the US Open are both amongst the players in it.

Agnieszka Radwanska and Na Li have both reached Finals at Grand Slam events in their careers, although the former is yet to pick up her first Major prize.

Out of the two players, I would give the edge to Radwanska with the draw as Li has a couple of tough matches that could potentially make her path to the Quarter Final that much more awkward. Li was beaten by Laura Robson here last season and that could be a Third Round match this year, although Robson has been struggling with an injury.

After that, Jelena Jankovic could be waiting for Li and the Serb could be a dangerous player after reaching the Semi Final in Cincinnati earlier in the month. However, Jankovic is very hit and miss on her day and it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if she is beaten before that potential Fourth Round match.

Li has a decent record against Radwanska in recent meetings, while I am not sure what state of mind the Polish player will be in after the recent passing of her grandfather which has affected her hugely considering the impact he had on her life.

Second Quarter: Na Li can be so erratic at times, but she looks the pick of the players in this section

Third Quarter

Another section of the women's draw that really looks wide open is the the third quarter and we could see another surprise Semi Finalist from this one.

The likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Roberta Vinci, Maria Kirilenko, Simona Halep and Sara Errani will all have their supporters, but there are also some doubts about form, fitness and ability on the hard courts.

Sara Errani was a Semi Finalist last season when she beat her fellow Italian Roberta Vinci in the Quarter Final and there is every chance there could be a repeat of that Quarter Final this year, although Vinci will feel she can turn that around after beating her doubles partner twice in a row.

This is an extremely difficult section to pick a winner from as there are just too many doubts to really give me a chance to pick someone with conviction.

Third Quarter: Really tough part of the draw, but Sara Errani is probably the most consistent player.

Fourth Quarter

The second favourite to win the US Open is Victoria Azarenka and she will have plenty of supporters after beating Serena Williams for the title in Cincinnati and coming so close to winning this Grand Slam last season.

However, there are dangers lurking around every corner of the final quarter of the Women's draw and she will have to negotiate a minefield to go all the way this year.

Alize Cornet has shown very strong consistency on the hard courts this summer and could pose some problems in the Third Round after giving Azarenka all she could handle at the French Open, while Dominika Cibulkova has won the big tournament in Stanford and is a possible Fourth Round opponent.

Even the other half of the draw is not straight-forward as Sam Stosur, a former US Open Champion and winner in Carlsbad with a win over Azarenka in the Final and Petra Kvitova are both very capable players on their day.

Azarenka would start as the favourite against both, especially considering she had owned the head to head against Stosur before the defeat earlier this month, and the win in Cincinnati should have filled the World Number 2 with plenty of confidence.

The hard courts remain her favourite surface and Victoria Azarenka has all the makings of a player that could go very deep this week.

Fourth Quarter: Victoria Azarenka can negotiate a minefield and reach the Semi Final from a tough section

Winner

I am not trying to be overly smart here and anything other than a Serena Williams win would constitute a surprise and the layers would certainly feel the same way with the American odds on to take the title away for the second year in a row.

However, Victoria Azarenka is certainly not afraid of going toe to toe with Williams and she had a chance to win the title here in New York last year, while the win over Williams in Cincinnati will also make her a bigger believer that she can win the title here.

If Williams is surprised early as happened in Melbourne and London, Azarenka will shorten rapidly and I will back her in the outright market here.

I did also say the third quarter of the draw is a tough one to get a real feel for, but Sara Errani looks a big price to win that section in the event. I was surprised that she is double the price that Caroline Wozniacki is in the section and Errani did reach the Semi Final a year ago, although she hasn't had the best summer.

If Errani can come through her first two matches, she may have the momentum behind her to come through this tricky section and I'll have a small interest in keeping her on board.

MY PICKS: Rafael Nadal @ 3.00 Ladbrokes (3 Units)

Richard Gasquet to win Third Quarter @ 9.00 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Victoria Azarenka @ 4.50 Sporting Bet (2 Units)

Sara Errani to win Third Quarter @ 7.00 Coral (1 Unit)

Tennis Outright Picks (August 12-18): 0-2, - 3 Units (3 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)
Tennis Daily Picks (August 12-18): 18-18, + 0.52 Units (71 Units Staked, + 0.7% Yield)

Season 2013: + 10.62 Units (1104.5 Units Staked, + 1.01% Yield)

Season 2012: + 49.21 Units (855 Units Staked, + 5.76% Yield)
Season 2011: + 82.02 Units

Wimbledon Outright Picks and Preview 2013 (June 24-July 7)

And just like that we have reached the third Grand Slam of the season, a time of the year when the British public actually remember tennis has a 'season' and the hopes of a nation turn to see whether a player can pick up the coveted title here.

After years of watching Tim Henman come agonisingly close to making the Final at Wimbledon, the Brits finally had a male player reach that landmark when Andy Murray got through to the last Sunday in 2012. However, Murray came up a little short against Roger Federer, although he is considered one of the top contenders to go a step further this time around now he has won an Olympic Gold and his first Major at the US Open.

Like all of the Grand Slams, the top four Men's players are the leading contenders and it is very unlikely that anyone out side of the usual contenders will win the title this time around. However, the draw has certainly looked lopsided with Rafael Nadal being the Number 5 seed at the Championships this season and ending up in the same half as Murray and Roger Federer has certainly made it feel that Novak Djokovic has the clearest path through to the Final.


Before the tournament began, the Women's event looked like being as straightforward as the French Open with Serena Williams being the clear favourite and the biggest question being whether Maria Sharapova would be in her half of the draw or share that with Victoria Azarenka.

Now, a war of words seems to have developed between Williams and Sharapova, the two biggest stars on the WTA Tour, and that will have a lot of people hoping that the two meet in the Final in two weeks time. There is clearly a tension between these two players that has existed for some time and the fact that Grigor Dimitrov, the current Sharapova boyfriend, is rumoured to have been dating Serena last summer hasn't gone down well with the American.

Williams and Sharapova might be a little one sided on the court at the moment, but I think the Russian has moved ahead in the war of words, up to the point I am writing this, and it will be interesting how Serena returns serve when she has her moment in front of the press.

Men's Event

First Quarter

The Number 1 seeded Novak Djokovic has been placed at the head of the Men's draw and he immediately would have been very happy to see his main rivals for the Wimbledon title all place in the other half of the draw. While a lot of 'experts' have claimed that gives Djokovic an 'easy' path to the Final, there are a couple of definite banana skin opponents that he will have to get through if he is to make it to his second Wimbledon Final in three years.

The first three Rounds shouldn't pose too many problems, even accounting for Florian Mayer which is a difficult First Round clash, but that is when Novak Djokovic will face his first real challenge in my opinion.

The Serb is likely to meet either Feliciano Lopez, a player that has reached the Quarter Final at Wimbledon before and has the game to suit the grass courts, or Tommy Haas, the player that has been enjoying an Indian summer on the Tour and who is very adept on the grass. Haas also has beaten Djokovic earlier this season and has previous by beating him twice on the grass courts in 2009, including a Quarter Final win over Djokovic at Wimbledon.

A potential Djokovic-Haas match would only be a Fourth Round clash, but I don't think it would be too far fetched to imagine the winner of that one making his way through to the Semi Final. Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet are the top seeded players that could stand in the way in the Quarter Final, while Sam Querrey can certainly use the grass to his advantage.

However, there would be question marks about their ability to beat Djokovic, the most likely player they will face at that stage, and the World Number 1 would kick himself if he doesn't make it through to the Semi Final.

Prediction: Novak Djokovic will have to be on his game to knock off Tommy Haas, but I do expect he will make it through this section.

Second Quarter

The problem with Rafael Nadal being the Number 5 seed was simply the fact that there could be one Quarter of the draw that looked a little weaker than the other three. Once the draw was thrown up, it worked out to be the case in the section where David Ferrer will be the highest seed.

Players like Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Grigor Dimitrov and Juan Martin Del Potro will all feel that they are capable of reaching the Semi Final at the expense of Ferrer, but I think it is the Spaniard who has been given the best draw and has the least concerns surrounding his form.

Unlike those other names I mentioned, David Ferrer should be able to ease his way into the tournament and he showed his ability by reaching the Quarter Final here last season. He has a winning record against the likes of Raonic, who has been in poor form, and Kohlschreiber who are going to provide his toughest test in the Fourth Round.

After that, Ferrer has the chance to pick the bones of whoever comes through the tougher bottom half of this section and I wouldn't be surprised if we see the same thing as twelve months ago and that is the Spaniard knocking off Juan Martin Del Potro on the grass in the Quarter Final to win this section.

Prediction: David Ferrer to reach his fourth consecutive Grand Slam Semi Final

Third Quarter

The third section of the draw is very going to be decided between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and you can already imagine the tournament organisers salivating at the prospect of these two players meeting once again on the famous green lawns at the All England Club.

Federer and Nadal have shared nine of the last ten Wimbledon titles and on current form I think it would definitely be a match that the Spaniard would be favoured to win.

Neither one of these players will be too troubled by the draw ahead of their blockbuster Quarter Final, although Federer needs to be careful that he isn't blitzed by Lukas Rosol in a potential Third Round clash as Nadal was last season. On the other hand, Nadal will likely have the tougher Fourth Round match against someone like Stanislas Wawrinka, Lleyton Hewitt or John Isner.

However, it would be a big surprise, similar to when Nadal went out last season, if the the two old rivals are not facing each other a week on Wednesday. Out of the two players, Nadal is considerably stronger form than Federer and has been playing like the best player in the World since returning from his seventh month lay off.

Nadal has also got the better of Federer far more often than not, even if Federer leads the head to head 2-1 on the grass courts. The Spaniard has won 4 of the last 5 matches, including in the Semi Final at the Australian Open in 2012 and the stats make even more disappointing reading when taking away matches played on the indoor hard courts.

Without those, Nadal has won 14 of the last 16 matches between the pair and I would expect him to do the same again this time around.

Prediction: Rafael Nadal has been in very strong form and he is one of the better grass court players in the world and should be able to beat Roger Federer in a potential Quarter Final.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter of the Men's draw is led by Andy Murray who will been raring to go having missed the French Open and a lot of the British public will be of the belief that he can end the long wait for the home Men's Champion at Wimbledon. He might be in the tougher half of the draw, but Murray can't been too disappointed with the path that has been laid out for him to the Final for the second year in a row.

Murray should be fairly comfortable in getting through to the Quarter Final even with the likes of Nicolas Mahut, Mikhail Youzhny and Janko Tipsarevic in this portion of the draw and I would be a little surprised if he drops more than a set to that point in the tournament.

It is there that things could get significantly tougher as he could face someone like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Marin Cilic, two of the more comfortable grass court players on the Tour. However, there is every chance that he could face one of those off the back of a really tough Fourth Round clash against one another, while Murray has had the better of the pair of them more often than not.

The World Number 2 has won 13 matches in a row against both Cilic and Tsonga combined and beat both on his way to the Queens title so anything other than Andy Murray being involved in the Semi Final again would be a surprise.

Prediction: Andy Murray looks the most accomplished player in this Quarter and he should be waiting in the Semi Final

Winner and Picks

Even though the best four players in the Men's game can't all be involved in the Semi Finals, I would be very surprised if one of those players isn't the person lifting the trophy in two weeks time. The 'easiest' path is certainly afforded to the World Number 1 and I think it would be silly to keep Novak Djokovic out of the staking plan.

However, grass is not necessarily Djokovic's most comfortable surface and that does make him a little vulnerable, but he will rarely receive a better draw in a Grand Slam and so I will make his one of my picks here.

I will also add Rafael Nadal to my staking plan considering the form that he has shown since returning from seven months off the Tour and a two-time winner here at Wimbledon shows that he has the temperament to move from the clay to the grass without too much negative impact on his game.

Nadal is the form player and his 13-5 head to head record, including 3-0 at Wimbledon, against Andy Murray is hard to ignore.

The final pick from the Men's draw that I will make is taking David Ferrer to reach his fourth consecutive Grand Slam Semi Final. The Spaniard seems to avoid the real dangers in his quarter of the draw until they have been in testing matches themselves and he has shown his ability on the grass courts over the last twelve months to think he can fight through the draw.

Women's Event

First Quarter

As is rightly the case, Serena Williams will head up the Women's draw at a tournament that her and Venus Williams have dominated over the last thirteen years. Serena won the French Open and is looking to win the fourth Grand Slam from the last five that have been played and it is tough to see how she will be stopped with the form she has shown.

However, the draw hasn't been as kind to the American as it could have been and the problems could begin as early as the Second Round where she could face Jie Zheng, the player that forced Serena into a final set decider here a year ago that was eventually won by the latter 9-7.

Tamira Paszek and Sabine Lisicki are very capable on the grass courts and are potential opponents for Serena in the Third and Fourth Round respectively, but while both have enjoyed success on the grass, I am not convinced they have the mental fortitude to beat Serena at Wimbledon.

The likes of Maria Kirilenko and Angelique Kerber are also in this quarter of the draw so there are potential pitfalls for Serena who is still putting in at least one match when she is not near her 'A' game in a Grand Slam and a surprise could be on the cards.

Prediction: Anyone but Serena Williams would be a huge shock, but there are potential dangers for her to consider in this quarter.

Second Quarter

Much like the Men's draw, the second quarter of the Ladies event at Wimbledon looks the one where the top seeded player is in most danger not to make it through to the Semi Final as expected.

Agnieszka Radwanska made it through to the Final last year before falling to Serena Williams, but the Polish player has not been in the best form over the last couple of months, pretty much since she dyed her hair blonde in fact.

That makes her vulnerable in my opinion, although there are not a lot of alternative choices that make more appeal. Na Li is inconsistent, but she has shown form on the grass courts in the past but the draw hasn't been the most kind with the dangerous Simona Halep  a potential Second Round opponent.

Other potential players that could upset the seedings are the likes of Daniela Hantuchova and Tsvetana Pironkova, who won the event in Birmingham and are a former Wimbledon Semi Finalist respectively.

Prediction: Agnieszka Radwanska looks vulnerable, but it is hard to see which player is consistent enough to take the most advantage... Maybe a surprise Semi Finalist like Simona Halep is in the offing.

Third Quarter

The third quarter of the Women's draw is where Maria Sharapova has been placed and she will certainly have a bit of extra motivation to try and break Serena Williams' dominance of the WTA Tour after comments attributed to the American last week.

Sharapova is definitely very happy to be back on the grass where she won her first Grand Slam title, but backing that up has been difficult, although she did reach the Final a couple of years ago before losing to Petra Kvitova.

I don't think it is disrespectful to say that the Women's game doesn't have the same depth as the Men's and I don't see any real problems for Sharapova to reach the Quarter Final with the biggest challenge being Marion Bartoli, a player not really in the form to upset the Russian.

Caroline Wozniacki, Sloane Stephens and Sara Errani are potential Quarter Final opponents, but lack of form, experience and ability on this surface suggests Sharapova should make swift work of most of her opponents ahead of the Semi Final.

Prediction: Maria Sharapova could come through the section without dropping a set

Fourth Quarter

Victoria Azarenka is the Number 2 seed in the draw so has been placed in the final quarter and she looks in a decent position to arrange a potential repeat of her Semi Final against Maria Sharapova that was played in Paris around three weeks ago.

She should be too good for the likes of Jelena Jankovic before we get to the Quarter Final, especially with the latter being a much better player on the clay courts than she has shown consistently on the grass.

At the Quarter Final stage, it could certainly be a more awkward match for Azarenka as she could face opponents of the calibre of Ana Ivanovic, Ekaterina Makarova or Petra Kvitova.

However, there are some serious question marks surrounding each of those players that would make it quite an upset if they are to knock off Azarenka- Ivanovic has struggled against the better players on the Tour, Makarova is very inconsistent, while Kvitova is not playing anything near the form that took her to the Wimbledon crown.

Prediction: Victoria Azarenka should be too good for her rivals in this quarter.

Winner and Picks

Serena Williams is rightly the player to beat in the tournament, but I can't help thinking she is far too short at the prices, especially with some tough looking matches that could cause problems if she is not totally on her game.

Instead, I will back Maria Sharapova to at least be her opponent in the Final by coming through the bottom half of the draw. I would favour Victoria Azarenka against Sharapova on the hard courts and possibly even the clay courts, despite her loss on the surface in Paris, but the grass courts should aid the Russian's game and help her get through.

Backing Sharapova does look a good option in case Serena does fall early and she will be the first pick I make from the Woman's draw.

I will also have a very small interest in Simona Halep to perhaps be one of the surprise Semi Finalists by winning the second quarter of the draw. Halep has been in very good form in recent weeks and comes in off back to back tournament wins, including on the grass in Holland last week.

Her form has been good in a section which does look open for a few players and she has the confidence of beating some of the bigger names in the quarter behind her. Halep is certainly an improving player and I'll have a very small interest in her.

MY OUTRIGHT PICKS: Novak Djokovic @ 2.20 Paddy Power (3 Units)

Rafael Nadal @ 5.50 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

David Ferrer to Win Second Quarter @ 2.50 Stan James (2 Units)

Maria Sharapova @ 7.00 Paddy Power (1 Unit E/W)

Simona Halep to win second quarter @ 11.00 (0.5 Units)

Note: Ladbrokes and Paddy Power will refund outright selections if Andy Murray wins the tournament

Australian Open Day 10 Picks 2013 (January 23rd)

It's been a bad tournament for me, there is no escaping that fact, but sometimes you do have to scratch your head at the way the breaks fall.

Agnieszka Radwanska and David Ferrer both had their chances, but faced inspired opposition on Quarter Finals day- Radwanksa served for the first set before completely crumbling in the face of the pressure brought by Na Li, while Ferrer was dominated for the first couple of sets by Nicolas Almagro.

However, Ferrer still had some chances although perhaps fortunate to still be in the tournament with Almagro having three service games to book his place in the Semi Final. In all honesty, it wasn't a great performance from Ferrer and anything similar to that in the Semi Final against Novak Djokovic will see him beaten comfortably in my opinion.

Speaking of Djokovic, he was absolutely dominant in his performance against Tomas Berdych and I still believe he will be in better physical shape than the winner of the bottom half of the draw where it seems inevitable that Andy Murray will meet Roger Federer in the Semi Final.

It has been a pretty uneventful Grand Slam for the most part to be fair, although I think we could see some really good matches in the next six days to close the event.

Victoria Azarenka - 5.5 games v Svetlana Kuznetsova: Svetlana Kuznetsova still holds a winning record against Victoria Azarenka, but I do expect that to be squared in this Quarter Final.

Azarenka has come through her matches fairly easily, barring a tough encounter with Jamie Hampton, while Kuznetsova has shown some real toughness to win her last two matches.

Both should be feeling comfortable on the court now, but I think Azarenka's going to be the fresher of the two players and I think she has far more power and control than Caroline Wozniacki who couldn't quite get over the line against Kuznetsova in the last Round.

The last four matches between the pair have all been fairly close, although there was one comfortable win for Azarenka thrown in. This is likely to be a close match for a while, but I do think Azarenka will win more of the bigger points and possibly end up with a 6-3, 6-2 win.

Roger Federer - 6.5 games v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: I am taking the larger spread in this one as I feel it is actually under-estimating how well Roger Federer is playing at the moment and the fact that I believe Jo-Wilfried Tsonga may need a bit more mental work before he is ready for this one.

Tsonga has started working with Roger Rasheed, but I don't think the full effects of that will be seen until the French Open or Wimbledon later in the season. The biggest problem for the Frenchman is not his ability, but the stuff between the ears and whether he really believes he can beat Federer with the way the former World Number 1 is playing right now.

I wasn't sure Federer was being ruthless enough on the big points early in the tournament, but the way he played against Milos Raonic was very impressive. I also think the slower conditions in the evening may just favour Federer all the more in this one.

Surprisingly, they haven't met for a couple of seasons on the main Tour, although they will be familiar with one another having played in some exhibitions with one another during the off-season.

Federer beat Tsonga by 7 games at the US Open when they last met at a Grand Slam, while he was an even more comfortable winner in the 2010 Semi Final here at the Australian Open. I believe we could see another 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win for Federer in this one and the chance to see a classic Semi Final between him and Andy Murray in a couple of days time.

Serena Williams - 7.5 games v Sloane Stephens: These two players met a couple of weeks ago in a match that Serena Williams won 6-4, 6-3, but that was the first time she would have seen Sloane Stephens' game and I think it could be a lot more comprehensive this time.

I was foolish enough to think Maria Kirilenko could keep it close against Serena in the last Round, but I won't make that mistake again- there is little doubt in my mind that Serena is fully on her game at the moment and I expect her to put a lot of pressure on Stephens for much of the match and that should lead to a fairly routine win.

I have been impressed with the way Stephens has played so far in the tournament, but she was pushed to the limit in the last Round and it is a big ask for her in her first Quarter Final at Grand Slam level. It is all the tougher when you know she is going to be facing Serena Williams and I think the latter will have seen Maria Sharapova's performance on Monday and will look to match, or improve, on that.

We will need a bit of luck for this one as I can imagine a couple of the games coming down a to a couple of key points, but I will look for Serena to record a 6-2, 6-2 win in this one.

MY PICKS: Victoria Azarenka - 5.5 Games @ 1.90 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Roger Federer - 6.5 Games @ 2.40 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Serena Williams - 7.5 Games @ 2.14 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Australian Open Update: 13-22, - 12.06 Units (62 Units Staked, - 19.5% Yield)

Australian Open Day 9 Picks 2013 (January 22nd)

It was more disappointment for the picks on Day 8 of the Australian Open as things came close to being successful, but once again fell apart as the day developed.

I have to say, Roger Federer and Serena Williams were both in imperious form and you could make a serious case for both to win their respective tournaments. I will be honest- I am still not convinced that Federer will beat Andy Murray and I think he is going to be severely tested by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

On the other hand, Serena Williams looks head and shoulders above the rest of the competition and she is certainly the player to beat... For all of what you hear about Maria Sharapova, the mental edge is with Serena and the ability is with Serena and I think she will be taking the trophy home on Saturday.


David Ferrer - 6.5 games v Nicolas Almagro: I have little doubt that we are going to see David Ferrer in yet another Grand Slam Semi Final now, especially considering he has never lost on the professional Tour against Nicolas Almagro. Further to that, this is the first time Almagro has made the Quarter Final at Slam level outside of the clay court even held at the French Open and that brings another set of pressure on him.

The Spaniards will both know each other very well and I expect it could be close for spells in the match- Almagro has a serve that is capable of providing enough cheap points, but Ferrer definitely has the edge in extended rallies.

Any time we see the rally go to 7 plus shots, I think Ferrer will win the point more often than not and that should be the difference between the players.

Despite thinking it will be close for spells, I do think Almagro is the kind of player that can throw the towel in mentally, especially when he falls behind- Ferrer is someone who fights for every point and it won't be a huge surprise to me if he wins one of the sets with a 6-2 scoreline to ensure the cover.


Agnieszka Radwanska - 2.5 games v Na Li: These two players have played a number of close matches over the last couple of seasons, although there was a period last Summer when Na Li was thumping Agnieszka Radwanska without too many problems.

Both players have been in form with Radwanska still unbeaten in 2013, while Na Li's sole loss this season came against her opponent here in straight sets in Sydney.

You have to take it a little further with Radwanska too as she has won two tournaments without dropping a set and has yet to be really tested at this tournament.

I am expecting breaks of serve and I am expecting this to be tight, but I just feel Radwanska is going to be a little too mentally tough and less erratic with her groundstrokes and that should see her book her place in the Semi Final. I think the scoreline could eventually be 7-5, 6-4 in favour of the Pole when it is all said and done.


MY PICKS: David Ferrer - 6.5 Games @ 2.05 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Agnieszka Radwanska - 2.5 Games @ 1.80 Ladbrokes (2 Units)


Australian Open Update: 13-20, - 8.06 Units (58 Units Staked, - 13.9% Yield)

Australian Open Day 8 Picks 2013 (January 21st)

Finally, we have had a memorable match at the Australian Open and the one between Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka was a real classic filled with crazy winners.

You know a tennis match has you drawn in when you are exclaiming loudly without realising you're doing it, and that was the way it went today- the point Wawrinka won to save match point and delay the end in the final set with a backhand winner was just ridiculous.

Maybe that will be the sign of a week of top quality tennis ahead of us, although most people will be wondering how Djokovic will recover from that epic match. I think he has shown in the past that he does have some real powers of recovery, for example at this event last year when he came through gruelling back to back matches against Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal to win the tournament.

Novak will play Tomas Berdych in the next Round and that certainly isn't a gimme as Berdych is playing some sublime tennis this week and has barely been extended. Granted, Djokovic has dominated their head to head, including a crushing win here a couple of seasons ago, but that could be a lot of fun to watch.


It was a pretty horrendous day for my picks if I am honest, although there is nothing you can do about some of the bad luck I felt I also got. Kei Nishikori started brilliantly against David Ferrer, but was clearly hampered by a left knee issue, but decided to fight through that and finish the match, even though he was being pummelled.

On the other hand, Janko Tipsarevic felt his ego was too much to finish the match and called a retirement while being easily handled by Nicolas Almagro- so instead of having one winner and one loser, I have one void and one loser which is just unfortunate.

Ekaterina Makarova also comfortably beat Angelique Kerber, which was a bad pick on my part as I had mentioned Makarova maybe being in a 'horses for courses' situation at Melbourne Park.

Just to complete an ugly day, Kevin Anderson missed a number of chances to steal the third set against Tomas Berdych as he fell to a straight sets defeat.


Caroline Wozniacki - 2.5 games v Svetlana Kuznetsova: This is going to be a very close contest in my opinion, but I think Caroline Wozniacki turns around the result from last week in Sydney when she was beaten in three sets by Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Wozniacki has quietly been going about her business in the tournament and while I still don't think she is good enough to win the tournament, I think she can take care of Kuznetsova who struggled in the last Round.

The Dane also has a strong record against Kuznetsova, winning 4 in a row against her before the loss against Sydney. Coming back from a long injury lay off means all this playing time could catch up with Kuznetsova in my opinion and I just think Wozniacki will be a little too strong.

There is a chance of seeing three sets, but I can see Wozniacki coming through with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win.


Maria Kirilenko + 7.5 games v Serena Williams: I must be crazy to go against Serena Williams on a tennis court, but I am only taking a small interest in this one as it does look like Maria Kirilenko is being given one too many games on the handicap in my opinion.

Serena has won all 5 of their previous matches on the Tour, although only 1 of those wins would have seen her cover this spread. They didn't play on the Tour last season, but I do think Kirilenko is an improved player, one that can at least hold her own for long enough to get the cover.

I also have to appreciate that Serena has played brilliantly so far this tournament, but I do believe Kirilenko has the angle in her shots and the movement to at least test the state of the Williams ankle that was rolled on the First Round.

Like I say, I am probably crazy for going against Serena, but a 6-3, 6-2 win wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility.


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 2.5 games v Richard Gasquet: There won't be any surprises for these players when they meet one another in their Fourth Round contest, but I am favouring Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to get the better of his compatriot, most likely in 4 good sets of tennis.

The big question is whether Tsonga's backhand can hold up against the pressure that Richard Gasquet will place on it, but I believe it will be Tsonga's mind that wins out in this contest.

Surprisingly, they haven't actually met on the Tour for almost two and a half years, although I actually caught them practising with one another at the O2 Arena at the End of Year Championships last November, so you have to think they know one another fairly well. Also, being in the same Davis Cup team means they will be more than a little familiar with one another.

I think this will be a fascinating contest, but Tsonga will be able to get a little more from his groundstrokes and serve and that will be the ultimate difference between them. Both have come through the opening rounds easily and both have opened 2013 in strong fashion so I don't think confidence will be a real issue.

However, Gasquet has regularly struggled to impose his game on those he feels are 'better' than him on Rankings and that mentality can be an issue. If he continues playing from ten feet behind the baseline, he will be giving Tsonga too much room to operate his big shots and control the match.

Tsonga beat Gasquet in 4 sets here at Melbourne Park back in 2008 on his way to the Final and I think he replicates that result here.


Roger Federer win 3-1 v Milos Raonic: There really isn't a lot to say for this pick except simply that I like the chances of seeing at least one, possibly two, tie-breaks in this match and there is every chance the big Canadian Milos Raonic is able to clinch one of those against Roger Federer.

There is no doubt the big man is hard to break with his monster of a serve, but Federer will draw on the fact that he beat him 3 times in 2012 and that he did end up finding a way of getting the job done against the serve.

However, he did drop a set in each of their matches last season, all best of three affairs, and I think there is a real chance he continues that trend in their first best of five.

As I have mentioned previously, Federer's break point conversion rate has been disappointing in the last two rounds of the tournament and that may make it tougher for him to close this one in straight sets, priced ridiculously low in my mind at odds on.

I think Federer is still too knowledgeable for Raonic in all aspects on the court which will lead to the win and I would be surprised if the match goes the distance so this looks the logical course of action for me.


MY PICKS: Caroline Wozniacki - 2.5 Games @ 2.10 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Maria Kirilenko + 7.5 Games @ 1.83 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 2.5 Games @ 1.90 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Roger Federer win 3-1 @ 4.33 Stan James (1 Unit)


Australian Open Update: 12-17, - 5.86 Units (52 Units Staked, - 11.2% Yield)