Gicquel-Tsonga Edge Into Brisbane Final
First-time French pairing Marc Gicquel and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga battled into the final of the Brisbane International -an ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament - with a 7-5, 6-7(4), 10-7 victory over American Travis Parrott and Slovakian Filip Polasek in a match featuring five breaks of serve on Saturday.
World No. 52 Gicquel is through to his fourth ATP World Tour doubles final and is bidding for his second title after triumphing at Washington in 2008 with Robert Lindstedt; he finished runner-up at 2007 Gstaad (w/ Serra) and 2008 Chennai (w/ Baghdatis).
Tsonga, ranked No. 127, has a perfect 2-0 record in ATP World Tour doubles finals, having titled at Lyon in 2007 (w/ Grosjean) and Sydney in 2008 (w/ Gasquet).
In the final, they will face Spanish-German first-time duo Fernando Verdasco and Mischa Zverev after they broke serve three times to cruise past Australian wild cards Carsten Ball and Chris Guccione 6-4, 6-2.
The 25-year-old Verdasco, who is also competing in the singles final, has reached two ATP World Tour doubles finals in his career – titling at Stockholm in 2004 (w/ F. Lopez) and finishing runner-up at 2007 Stuttgart (w/ Garcia-Lopez).
The 64th-ranked Zverev captured two ATP World Tour doubles titles last season at Halle and Tokyo, both times partnering Mikhail Youzhny. He also combined with Michael Berrer to reach the final at Stuttgart.
World No. 52 Gicquel is through to his fourth ATP World Tour doubles final and is bidding for his second title after triumphing at Washington in 2008 with Robert Lindstedt; he finished runner-up at 2007 Gstaad (w/ Serra) and 2008 Chennai (w/ Baghdatis).
Tsonga, ranked No. 127, has a perfect 2-0 record in ATP World Tour doubles finals, having titled at Lyon in 2007 (w/ Grosjean) and Sydney in 2008 (w/ Gasquet).
In the final, they will face Spanish-German first-time duo Fernando Verdasco and Mischa Zverev after they broke serve three times to cruise past Australian wild cards Carsten Ball and Chris Guccione 6-4, 6-2.
The 25-year-old Verdasco, who is also competing in the singles final, has reached two ATP World Tour doubles finals in his career – titling at Stockholm in 2004 (w/ F. Lopez) and finishing runner-up at 2007 Stuttgart (w/ Garcia-Lopez).
The 64th-ranked Zverev captured two ATP World Tour doubles titles last season at Halle and Tokyo, both times partnering Mikhail Youzhny. He also combined with Michael Berrer to reach the final at Stuttgart.
10 January
Wager Type : ATP fav ML
Brisbane International Final
Start time : 08:05 PM PST
Radek Stepanek vs Fernando Verdasco
My pick is Fernando Verdasco to win
Odds : - 147
Bookmaker : pinnaclesport
7.35 units to win 5 units
I think Radek cant win this unless Verdasco beats himself by breaking down mentally .
Watched most of the matches in this tournament and wasn't impressed with Radek's play , it was more his opponent who went crazy and allowed him to win those matches . First Robin Soderlng won the first set without much trouble , went break up and when Radek broke back Soderling's true mental game showed once again , he totally collapsed and was going for wild shots which didn't end well for him as Stepanek took advantage of it . Gasquet is same type of a guy Soderling is when it comes to mental strength and also allowed Stepanek to get under his skin .
Verdasco used to be known for his weak mental state as well but I think he has grown a lot over the last few monthes and his confidence is very high at the moment after clinching the Davis Cup title for Spain .
I think Verdasco can keep focus and don't let Radek get under his skin with all those fist pumps and crazy jumping .
Wager Type : ATP fav ML
Brisbane International Final
Start time : 08:05 PM PST
Radek Stepanek vs Fernando Verdasco
My pick is Fernando Verdasco to win
Odds : - 147
Bookmaker : pinnaclesport
7.35 units to win 5 units
I think Radek cant win this unless Verdasco beats himself by breaking down mentally .
Watched most of the matches in this tournament and wasn't impressed with Radek's play , it was more his opponent who went crazy and allowed him to win those matches . First Robin Soderlng won the first set without much trouble , went break up and when Radek broke back Soderling's true mental game showed once again , he totally collapsed and was going for wild shots which didn't end well for him as Stepanek took advantage of it . Gasquet is same type of a guy Soderling is when it comes to mental strength and also allowed Stepanek to get under his skin .
Verdasco used to be known for his weak mental state as well but I think he has grown a lot over the last few monthes and his confidence is very high at the moment after clinching the Davis Cup title for Spain .
I think Verdasco can keep focus and don't let Radek get under his skin with all those fist pumps and crazy jumping .
hno: should have known..Chicken brain wins the 1st setThird set was really pathetic , Vedasco is still same mental guy who is scared to move forward and stays 5 meters behind the baseline .
ATP Doubles : 5-1 + 6.75 units
WTA Doubles : 1-1 - 2.5 units
ATP fav ML : 1-2 - 11.7 units
WTA fav ML : 1-3 - 18.67 units
ATP Handicap 4-3 - 4.1 units
WTA Handicap : 3-0 + 15 units
YTD : 15-10 -15.22 units
Really rough start for me but a turnaround with the last plays 10-2 . Obvious most losses come from betting - 200 favs who end up losing , hopefully next time I back one they are going to show up to play .
ATP Doubles : 5-1 + 6.75 units
WTA Doubles : 1-1 - 2.5 units
ATP fav ML : 1-2 - 11.7 units
WTA fav ML : 1-3 - 18.67 units
ATP Handicap 4-3 - 4.1 units
WTA Handicap : 3-0 + 15 units
YTD : 15-10 -15.22 units
Really rough start for me but a turnaround with the last plays 10-2 . Obvious most losses come from betting - 200 favs who end up losing , hopefully next time I back one they are going to show up to play .
12 January
Wager Type : ATP fav ML
ATP Heineken Open R1
Start time : 02:05 PM PST
Dominik Hrbaty vs Philipp Kohlschreiber
My pick is Philipp Kohlschreiber to win
Odds : - 250
Bookmaker : betfair
10 units to win 4 units
Two former champions of this tournament , Kohlschreiber is the defending champion as he clinched the title here last year against Ferrero .
I don't buy this Hrbaty is back to his old days stuff , beating Safin and Blake in a ''friendly'' Hopman Cup doesn't do it to me .
Hrbaty played a lot of tennis last week and by a lot I mean 4 singles and doubles matches , 5 sets have gone to a tiebreak + 1 7-5 set in singles and some tough doubles matches added to that .
Kohlschreiber lost to Federer last week in two sets but in the 2nd set he had a 5-1 lead in the tiebreak but still lost this one .
I count on Kohlschreiber to come in focused as he has many points to defend in this tournament being the winner last year and beat Hrbaty who might try his luck in Australian Open quali which starts on Wednesday .
Wager Type : ATP fav ML
ATP Heineken Open R1
Start time : 02:05 PM PST
Dominik Hrbaty vs Philipp Kohlschreiber
My pick is Philipp Kohlschreiber to win
Odds : - 250
Bookmaker : betfair
10 units to win 4 units
Two former champions of this tournament , Kohlschreiber is the defending champion as he clinched the title here last year against Ferrero .
I don't buy this Hrbaty is back to his old days stuff , beating Safin and Blake in a ''friendly'' Hopman Cup doesn't do it to me .
Hrbaty played a lot of tennis last week and by a lot I mean 4 singles and doubles matches , 5 sets have gone to a tiebreak + 1 7-5 set in singles and some tough doubles matches added to that .
Kohlschreiber lost to Federer last week in two sets but in the 2nd set he had a 5-1 lead in the tiebreak but still lost this one .
I count on Kohlschreiber to come in focused as he has many points to defend in this tournament being the winner last year and beat Hrbaty who might try his luck in Australian Open quali which starts on Wednesday .
12 January
Wager Type : ATP Total Games
ATP Medibank R1
Start time : 08:30 PM PST
Chris Guccione vs Tomas Berdych
My pick is OVER 22 GAMES
Odds : - 126
Bookmaker : pinnaclesports
3.15 units to win 2.5 units
Looks like a typical match without many breaks of serve and a tiebreak . Last year Guccione played Berdych in this tournament ( 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4 ) . I think Berdych will win but odds aren't good enough to bet on this mental guy . I see a tiebreak in this match aka 7-6 = 13 games would need 9 more games for a push aka 6-3 , those are two possible cases to cover the line in 2 sets if they play 3 sets this one is a win , obvious .
Wager Type : ATP Total Games
ATP Medibank R1
Start time : 08:30 PM PST
Chris Guccione vs Tomas Berdych
My pick is OVER 22 GAMES
Odds : - 126
Bookmaker : pinnaclesports
3.15 units to win 2.5 units
Looks like a typical match without many breaks of serve and a tiebreak . Last year Guccione played Berdych in this tournament ( 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4 ) . I think Berdych will win but odds aren't good enough to bet on this mental guy . I see a tiebreak in this match aka 7-6 = 13 games would need 9 more games for a push aka 6-3 , those are two possible cases to cover the line in 2 sets if they play 3 sets this one is a win , obvious .
12 January
Wager Type : ATP fav ML
ATP Medibank R1
Start time : 07:00 PM PST
Julien Benneteau vs Lleyton Hewitt
My pick is Lleyton Hewitt to win
Odds : - 185
Bookmaker : punnaclesports
9.25 units to win 5 units
Cant go against Hewitt who has 23-2 record in this tournament and won it 4 times . I remember last time they have played last year I had money on Hewitt and he lost in 2 sets but today I see a revenge as Hewitt seems to be in better form , 2008 was really horrible for him with the injury . Watched most of his matches in Hopman Cup and he played well , I think it will be enough to beat Benneteau who seems to have all the tools to perform well but rarely does .
Wager Type : ATP fav ML
ATP Medibank R1
Start time : 07:00 PM PST
Julien Benneteau vs Lleyton Hewitt
My pick is Lleyton Hewitt to win
Odds : - 185
Bookmaker : punnaclesports
9.25 units to win 5 units
Cant go against Hewitt who has 23-2 record in this tournament and won it 4 times . I remember last time they have played last year I had money on Hewitt and he lost in 2 sets but today I see a revenge as Hewitt seems to be in better form , 2008 was really horrible for him with the injury . Watched most of his matches in Hopman Cup and he played well , I think it will be enough to beat Benneteau who seems to have all the tools to perform well but rarely does .
Thanks , that was too easy .
12 January
Wager Type : WTA Doubles
Mediabank International Doubles
Start time : 10:45PM (EST)
M.Kirilenko/A.Radwanska vs A.Medina/V.Ruano Pascual
My pick is A.Medina/V.Ruano Pascual to win
Odds : - 170
Bookmaker : 5dimes
4.25 units to win 2.5 units
Spanish women perform well first weeks of the season every year , this will be their first tournament 2009 . 2007 they reached the finals 2nd week of the year , 2008 won doubles Hobart tournament . This time didn't go to defend the title there but instead came to this tournament in Sydney . They are one of the elite teams and made top 4 last season in doubles ratings . Kirilenko and Radwanska of course solid singles players but as a team I don't think they can do any damage to much more experienced doubles team from Spain . Also Kirilenko was slapped 2-6 2-6 yesterday in her singles match so I am not sure how her form is this early .
12 January
Wager Type : WTA Doubles
Mediabank International Doubles
Start time : 10:45PM (EST)
M.Kirilenko/A.Radwanska vs A.Medina/V.Ruano Pascual
My pick is A.Medina/V.Ruano Pascual to win
Odds : - 170
Bookmaker : 5dimes
4.25 units to win 2.5 units
Spanish women perform well first weeks of the season every year , this will be their first tournament 2009 . 2007 they reached the finals 2nd week of the year , 2008 won doubles Hobart tournament . This time didn't go to defend the title there but instead came to this tournament in Sydney . They are one of the elite teams and made top 4 last season in doubles ratings . Kirilenko and Radwanska of course solid singles players but as a team I don't think they can do any damage to much more experienced doubles team from Spain . Also Kirilenko was slapped 2-6 2-6 yesterday in her singles match so I am not sure how her form is this early .
Late Night Matches anyone?
<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); vertical-align: top;"><table style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244);" onmouseover="updateBackground(this,'#FDE1CB')" onmouseout="updateBackground(this,'#F4F4F4')" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: left; width: 34%;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50832visitor" id="CHK50832visitor" value="50832" type="checkbox"> 103 Victor Hanescu</td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 18%;"> -175 </td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 25%;">
</td> <td style="text-align: center; width: 8%;" rowspan="2">
</td> <td style="padding: 2px; width: 15%; text-align: center;" rowspan="2">Tue, Jan 13 1:30AM</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50832home" id="CHK50832home" value="50832" type="checkbox"> 104 Juan Monaco</td> <td style="text-align: right;">+ 125 </td> <td style="text-align: right;">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: top;"> <table style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onmouseover="updateBackground(this,'#FDE1CB')" onmouseout="updateBackground(this,'#FFF')" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226);" class="small" colspan="5"> Medibank International - Round 1 Matches</td></tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left; width: 34%;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50843visitor" id="CHK50843visitor" value="50843" type="checkbox"> 209 Dmitry Tursunov</td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 18%;">+ 140 </td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 25%;">
</td> <td style="text-align: center; width: 8%;" rowspan="2">
</td> <td style="padding: 2px; width: 15%; text-align: center;" rowspan="2">Tue, Jan 13 12:30AM</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50843home" id="CHK50843home" value="50843" type="checkbox"> 210 Richard Gasquet</td> <td style="text-align: right;"> -190 </td> <td style="text-align: right;">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); vertical-align: top;"> <table style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244);" onmouseover="updateBackground(this,'#FDE1CB')" onmouseout="updateBackground(this,'#F4F4F4')" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="text-align: left; width: 34%;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50844visitor" id="CHK50844visitor" value="50844" type="checkbox"> 211 Jeremy Chardy</td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 18%;">+ 250 </td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 25%;">
</td> <td style="text-align: center; width: 8%;" rowspan="2">
</td> <td style="padding: 2px; width: 15%; text-align: center;" rowspan="2">Tue, Jan 13 12:30AM</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50844home" id="CHK50844home" value="50844" type="checkbox"> 212 Radek Stepanek</td> <td style="text-align: right;"> -350 </td> <td style="text-align: right;">
</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); vertical-align: top;"><table style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244);" onmouseover="updateBackground(this,'#FDE1CB')" onmouseout="updateBackground(this,'#F4F4F4')" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: left; width: 34%;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50832visitor" id="CHK50832visitor" value="50832" type="checkbox"> 103 Victor Hanescu</td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 18%;"> -175 </td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 25%;">
</td> <td style="text-align: center; width: 8%;" rowspan="2">
</td> <td style="padding: 2px; width: 15%; text-align: center;" rowspan="2">Tue, Jan 13 1:30AM</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50832home" id="CHK50832home" value="50832" type="checkbox"> 104 Juan Monaco</td> <td style="text-align: right;">+ 125 </td> <td style="text-align: right;">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: top;"> <table style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onmouseover="updateBackground(this,'#FDE1CB')" onmouseout="updateBackground(this,'#FFF')" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(226, 226, 226);" class="small" colspan="5"> Medibank International - Round 1 Matches</td></tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left; width: 34%;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50843visitor" id="CHK50843visitor" value="50843" type="checkbox"> 209 Dmitry Tursunov</td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 18%;">+ 140 </td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 25%;">
</td> <td style="text-align: center; width: 8%;" rowspan="2">
</td> <td style="padding: 2px; width: 15%; text-align: center;" rowspan="2">Tue, Jan 13 12:30AM</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50843home" id="CHK50843home" value="50843" type="checkbox"> 210 Richard Gasquet</td> <td style="text-align: right;"> -190 </td> <td style="text-align: right;">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> <tr><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); vertical-align: top;"> <table style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(146, 46, 23); width: 100%; background-color: rgb(244, 244, 244);" onmouseover="updateBackground(this,'#FDE1CB')" onmouseout="updateBackground(this,'#F4F4F4')" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="text-align: left; width: 34%;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50844visitor" id="CHK50844visitor" value="50844" type="checkbox"> 211 Jeremy Chardy</td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 18%;">+ 250 </td> <td style="text-align: right; width: 25%;">
</td> <td style="text-align: center; width: 8%;" rowspan="2">
</td> <td style="padding: 2px; width: 15%; text-align: center;" rowspan="2">Tue, Jan 13 12:30AM</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: left;"> <input style="border: 0px solid ;" name="CHK50844home" id="CHK50844home" value="50844" type="checkbox"> 212 Radek Stepanek</td> <td style="text-align: right;"> -350 </td> <td style="text-align: right;">
</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
Adding last one for tonight
13 January
Wager Type : WTA fav ML
Moorilla Hobart International R2
Start time : 00:05 AM PST
Olga Govortsova vs Tsvetana Pironkova
My pick is Tsvetana Pironkova to win
Odds : - 171
Where : pinnaclesports
5.13 units to win 3 units
Exactly one year ago Pironkova beat her 6-1 6-1 on almost same court , why not this time ? I have to try it , both lost to Errani last week but Pironkova did in 3 tough sets while Govortsova lost 3-6 3-6 without any chance .
Lets go babe
