[naught33]

YTD: 128-85-2, +92.1 units

Gerry Webber

3 units SAFIN -149 over Santoro...I know Santoro owns a 7-1 lifetime record over the big serving Russian, but most of their matchups came a long time ago and none were on grass. Santoro is just 7-9 on the tour this season, not exactly a ton of matches played thusfar in the season. On the grass I tend to favor Safin here, as he has the bigger serve and groundies. Santoro is more of a crafty player, which would tend to bother Safin IMO more on clay or even a hard court than on the grass. Also, Safin has an extra day of rest which should help as well.

4 units SCHUETTLER -172 over Norman....This is simply a play against Norman. Norman and Schuettler only played once, but that was back in 96 with Rainer winning in straight sets. Before his win over Rochus, Norman had not won a grasscourt match since 2003! I do not forsee much trouble for the German in this matchup, and he should advance as he beat a much tougher opponent in Nalbandian in his 1st round matchup

STELLA ARTOIS

3 units GONZALEZ +110 over Karlovic....Dr Ivo has really struggled this year so far, while Gonzo has been playing some good tennis. Karlovic has more experience on the grass than does Gonzo, however he has never been a player who breaks serve very often. Karlovic relies on his big serve to get him into tiebreaks and to win them, which so far this yr he hasn't been too successful at as shown by his record. Gonzalez's serve is no slouch either, and he has the more complete game as he can pound some groundies as well. I give the edge to Gonzo here because I think he will be able to get 1 or 2 breaks off of Karlovic which will be enough to win the match because I can't see Karlovic putting enough pressure on Fernando's serve. Gonzo should advance here and I'll take him as a dog.

GL

[naught33]

oops, the schuettler/norman match is thursday, sorry guys....just the two plays for now

[hnyloc]

Hey Naught,

Karlovic coming off of a run to the Finals at the Surbiton touney.. just an FYI.. he must be doing somethin right.. and Gonzo with his first match back on grass too.. GL with your plays.. i will be rooting for ya

[Buckery]

Originally Posted by naught33

YTD: 128-85-2, +92.1 units

Karlovic has more experience on the grass than does Gonzo, however he has never been a player who breaks serve very often. Karlovic relies on his big serve to get him into tiebreaks and to win them, which so far this yr he hasn't been too successful at as shown by his record. Gonzalez's serve is no slouch either, and he has the more complete game as he can pound some groundies as well.

Exactly what I was thinking about this match. Karlovic has such a difficult time breaking serve. So tired of seeing Karlo lose return games to 15. Strong plays today but they all look nice. Just guys I personally wasn't willing to lay on

Schuettler and Safin scare me to be honest but they're playing weaker opponents so lets cash em.

Santoro is a little sneaky bastard too

[bad gambler]

wow why so confident on gonzo naught? I was going to play the big croat

Also tghe magician I feel could give safin some problems, his game is ideal to frustrate the hell out of the big man

[Buckery]

1 thing is for certain... Santoro isn't going to be intimidated by Safin.

B

[naught33]

well safin cashes so its a good start, now need gonzo...i know karlovic got to the finals in his last tourney but that was a challenger series, not an ATP one. If you look at his ATP record this yr it is something brutal, I believe like 3-12 coming into this tourney or something like that. Gonzo should win this one, and at plus $$ i like my chances.

[mrki_tua]

I must say that I'm on Karlović, he's strong on grass...

[naught33]

yeah, gonzo was garbage today, horrible...nice for you guys who were on ivo...i think im going to have to stop doing writeups, they are killing me here, everytime i do writeups my plays seem to lose...im not winning at my usual percentage...