Tuesday:
Stake: 4/5
Nalbandian (Gerry Weber)
Karlovic (Stella Artois)
Roddick (Stella Artois)
= -104
Nalbandian is playing a far weaker opponent and makes this a solid addition to a parlay. Gicquel hasn't beaten anybody. Benneteau might be his best victory this year. He has never played a game on grass and on hardcourt 14-16 career doesn't say much for him. He's been bouncing around for years playing a scatter game when he can. Nalbandian is trying to revive a solid career and recently made it into the 4th round at roland garros, a respectable result. Nalbandian is 15-5 on grass since 2002 and is one Argentine that when on his game can challenge anybody in the game. This should be no problem for Nalbandian at all.
Karlovic? Why not, he's beaten Marty Fish all 3 times he's played him. He's beaten him at the US Open and the Aussie Open, both times Fish was playing solid tennis. Most recently beating him in February of this year on hc. Karlovic is a beast at 6'10 or whatever he is and he generates a boom with that service. His mobility isn't great but neither is Mardy's. History says a lot for me here. I also like the fact that Karlovic has already played several matches on grass getting to the finals of a challengers event at Surbiton. I'll take my chances with the big Ivo on the grass here.
Roddick will enjoy being off the clay and back at the home of where he owns the fastest serve ever at 154mph? Either way Radek should put a small challenge here but Andy in this first round match I just don't see it. He's trying to stick around the top 3 and now that grass is upon us I feel it's time for this American to make some good runs and put that huge serve back to fine use. Stepanek should have shitloads of grief tommorow with Andy's serve, it should be fun to watch. Stepanek booms himself but he should be slightly overmatched here.
Stake: 3/5
Davydenko +100 over Melzer (Gerry Weber)
Why? I have NO faith in Jurgen Melzer, he's Austrian for god sakes!
He's had a relatively good career on grass but I mean, average at best. Melzer's best surface by far has been clay and Davydenko has beaten him both times he's played him on his best surface. Davydenko is the #2 seed at this tournament sure. He plays very well on hardcourt and faster surfaces and plays pretty error free tennis, something Melzer does not. Each of hte last 3 years Melzer has failed to reach the .500 mark on hardcourt and has been inconsistant on grass. Davydenko has had a sad career on grass but he hasn't had too much experience on it. Given the level of quality of these players and where each is at in their careers right now I can't not lay on Davydenko here, he's a player for all surfaces and I have to believe that his 1-10 mark on grass (since 2002) has to be improved on here. Melzer is just too inconsistant for me, the only thing he got going for him is his left hand. The better player is Davydenko and regardless his grass history I'll bite.
GL!
B