Hi All,
Here we go with the first grand slam of the year.
I will begin with outright plays on the tournament.
Note: All odds will be in the European/Australian Format and are 1 unit unless specifed otherwise
Mens
Very tough to find a winner in the mens after the draw has so many of the chances in the top half of the draw. At the beginning of the year this would have been Hewitt all the way but after a bout of the chicken pox I don't see him having the fitness to go all the way. Agassi would have have beat both Sampras and Hewitt to make the final and therefore is not great value to win the tournament. The bottom half of the draw is lot more open with few major chances to make the final. The two players most likely players here are Grosjean and past winner Kafelnikov. Don't take too much notice of Grosjeans first round loss in the Syndey International as it was his first game of the year and he was playing Srichaphan who had just played in a tournamnet final. I have a leaning towards Grosjean and since he is the better value he is my play for the Australian Open.
Conclusion: Grosjean at $17 (Sportodds)
Womens
The womens winner seems to be a lot easier to pick with only V Williams, Capriati, Hingis, S Williams, Clistjers and Henin considered in contention with odds of 25/1 or greater for the rest. Immediately, you have to take out of the list Hingis as she hasn't be able to match with the Williams sisters yet and it now a full three years since a grand slam win. Next, I take out Clistjers and Henin. While both great players I can't see them featuring in the semi-finals. This leaves Capriati and the Williams Sisters. Capriati did nothing to inspire me in the lead up tournament. Now, the question which Williams sister do you pick. The better value is defintely in backing Serena at $7.50 but after she went over on her ankle Friday and has not been seen on court since you have to wonder if her ankle is more serious than thought. You could back Venus but at odds of $1.85 I'll sit back and watch.
Conclusion: No Bet
Day 1 Plays
Mens
Portas d Ilie 2.65
Its the 20th player in the world playing the 65th yet Ilie is a large favorite. While Ilie does love to play in fornt of his home crowd I do not htink the advantage is a great as the odds suggest.
Massu d Bjorkman 2.50
Massu took a set of Agassi in last year US Open and pushed a number of highly ranked players such as Grosjean late in the year and therefore I see him as good value to beat Bjorkman here
Other Plays:
Sargsian d Gonzales 1.95
Voltchkov d Mamiit 2.30
Womens
Dominikovic d Carlsson 1.72
Garbin d Irvin 1.80
Craig
Here we go with the first grand slam of the year.
I will begin with outright plays on the tournament.
Note: All odds will be in the European/Australian Format and are 1 unit unless specifed otherwise
Mens
Very tough to find a winner in the mens after the draw has so many of the chances in the top half of the draw. At the beginning of the year this would have been Hewitt all the way but after a bout of the chicken pox I don't see him having the fitness to go all the way. Agassi would have have beat both Sampras and Hewitt to make the final and therefore is not great value to win the tournament. The bottom half of the draw is lot more open with few major chances to make the final. The two players most likely players here are Grosjean and past winner Kafelnikov. Don't take too much notice of Grosjeans first round loss in the Syndey International as it was his first game of the year and he was playing Srichaphan who had just played in a tournamnet final. I have a leaning towards Grosjean and since he is the better value he is my play for the Australian Open.
Conclusion: Grosjean at $17 (Sportodds)
Womens
The womens winner seems to be a lot easier to pick with only V Williams, Capriati, Hingis, S Williams, Clistjers and Henin considered in contention with odds of 25/1 or greater for the rest. Immediately, you have to take out of the list Hingis as she hasn't be able to match with the Williams sisters yet and it now a full three years since a grand slam win. Next, I take out Clistjers and Henin. While both great players I can't see them featuring in the semi-finals. This leaves Capriati and the Williams Sisters. Capriati did nothing to inspire me in the lead up tournament. Now, the question which Williams sister do you pick. The better value is defintely in backing Serena at $7.50 but after she went over on her ankle Friday and has not been seen on court since you have to wonder if her ankle is more serious than thought. You could back Venus but at odds of $1.85 I'll sit back and watch.
Conclusion: No Bet
Day 1 Plays
Mens
Portas d Ilie 2.65
Its the 20th player in the world playing the 65th yet Ilie is a large favorite. While Ilie does love to play in fornt of his home crowd I do not htink the advantage is a great as the odds suggest.
Massu d Bjorkman 2.50
Massu took a set of Agassi in last year US Open and pushed a number of highly ranked players such as Grosjean late in the year and therefore I see him as good value to beat Bjorkman here
Other Plays:
Sargsian d Gonzales 1.95
Voltchkov d Mamiit 2.30
Womens
Dominikovic d Carlsson 1.72
Garbin d Irvin 1.80
Craig
