Like 'em Ian
US OPEN DAY ONE PLAYS:
Sanguinetti $4 o Kafelnikov (2 units):
Kafelnikov is such a tough opponent in Slams. But he's not in good form - he hasn't made it past the Rd of 16 in his last 3 events and lost to Ancic in Indy. Sanguinetti has a good hard court record this year (17-10); won at Delray Bech in March, has beaten Roddick, Carlsen, Srichaphan and Koubek on hard court; was runner-up on hard court at Memphis last yr and bt Kafelnikov on hard court in 2000 at Uzbekistan 7-5, 6-3. Impossible to go past these odds.
Gaudio $2.30 o Martin (2 units):
Like Kafelnikov, Martin is a great Slam fighter and I hate to go against him that often on hard court v a clay courter. But he's another player out-of-form; losing to Kim in R32 in Wash, Robredo R64 in Cinc and Santoro R16 in Toronto. Gaudio has won 2 tournaments on clay this yr while compiling a 38-13 record. He lost to Lapentti in 2 tie-breakers in Toronto and the in-form Rios in Cinc but lost in 5 sets to Lapentti in R32 at the Oz Open and lost to Henman at the Qs in Indian Wells in March on hard court.
Lee $2.00 o Fish (3 units):
Fish has been in good form on the Challenger circuit - he won in the Bronx and made the semis at Lexington. But Lee, who made the 4th rd at Flushing Meadows last year, has been playing well v the big guns. He lost to Arthurs in R64 at Indy, lost to Nieminen in 3 sets in R32 at Cinc, Roddick in 3 sets in R32 at LA and should have beaten Sampras in R32 at Toronto in 3 sets after previously beating Clement.
Ancic $2.10 o Hrbaty (2 units):
An up-and-comer against a relative tour veteran who has really struggled this year. Ancic got in as a lucky loser after losing to the Finn Ketola (who could be a danger to the injured Henman) in qualifying after beating the two Brits; Jamie Delgado and Martin Lee. Possesses a big serve, as we witnessed at Wimbledon when he beat Roger Federer. Has been playing well in Brazil in hard court Challengers and bt Kafelnikov at Indy before bowing out to Clement. Hrbaty has rarely got pas the 1st rd on hard court this year - lost to Krajicek 1-6, 2-6 in the rd of 64 at Long Is, lost to Sluiter in Wash... Useful US Open record but off form and the teen will sniff an upset.
Bogolomov $2.25 o Delgado (2 units):
Delgado has had a horror year and can't get past a 2nd round. He lost to clay courter Koubek in Indy and Ferrero in Cinc on hard courts. The US wildcard has played mainly Challengers and showed more form - was beaten in the Qs at Binghamton by Aussie Scott Draper and lost in the Semis at Bronx to eventual winner Mardy Fish. Was a finalist at Granby (Quebec) earlier this season and notably bt Haas in the ATP Tour event at LA 6-4, 6-4 before being beaten by Kiefer.
Gimelstob $1.65 o Kempes (2 units):
Gimelstob's little more than a journeyman these days after some early promise but should prevail on his favoured hard court over an out-of-sorts clay courter in front of home country fans.
Multi: Rios/Nieminen/Malisse/Pavel $2.72 (3 units)
or; see webpage....
www.madjacksports.com/users/Anders
