Australian Open

[G]

Interestingly no discussion so far as the first week nears ending

I know as a fact that MAL is still out now collecting every can and bottle he can lay his grubby mits on to take the $1.20 about Nadal winning 3-0 against Tomic.
- Hes a $1.01 to win and should be about $1.06 to win 3-0

[CK]

Interestingly no discussion so far as the first week nears ending

I know as a fact that MAL is still out now collecting every can and bottle he can lay his grubby mits on to take the $1.20 about Nadal winning 3-0 against Tomic.
- Hes a $1.01 to win and should be about $1.06 to win 3-0

Agreed, G. The emotion of a home crowd, centre court on a prime spot can only carry you so far - in fact, it may even have a further opposite effect. He doesn't strike me as the sort who would freeze completely, but Nadal is in another class to anyone he has played yet. May start with a good first set, but then slowly wilt as Nadal settles in.

For the tournament itself, Tomas Berdych at $51 is interesting. Should get over Verdasco in the fourth round, and likely to then face Novak Djokovic, who hasn't finished as well in Melbourne the last couple of years. Berdych has been in very good form in the last 18 months, with the Wimbledon final last year against Federer the highlight. Would get a sight for your dollars at those odds. Nadal, obviously very hard to beat and Federer has cruised quietly through to this point also.

For the women, Kim Clijsters just looks really hard to beat as favorite, and tonight's match notwithstanding, Li Na has quietly gone about her business so far. In the top half of the draw, her form has also improved noticeably, and won't face the favorite until the final, if she gets through. A genuine smokey here, with the site sponsor offering $13.

[CK]

Current markets from the site sponsor, after last night's and today's games:

R Nadal 2.50
R Federer 2.75
A Murray 7.50
N Djokovic 8.00
R Soderling 15.00
T Berdych 34.00
A Roddick 51.00
M Cilic 51.00
S Wawrinka 81.00
D Ferrer 101.00
J Melzer 126.00
A Dolgopolov 201.00
Milos Raonic 251.00


K Clijsters 2.20
C Wozniacki 5.00
N Li 8.00
V Zvonareva 9.00
P Kvitova 11.00
S Kuznetsova 13.00
M Sharapova 13.00
A Petkovic 26.00
F Pennetta 41.00
A Radwanska 91.00
E Makarova 91.00
F Schiavone 126.00
S Peng 126.00
I Benesova 151.00

[mal]

G
CK
Who would win if a NADAL V FED final ?

Watching these 2 reminds me of the Borg v Mcenroe games a few decades ago

[G]

MAL although a contest, NADAL fairly comfortably

[mickey]

After an epic Australian Open battle between Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone in what was a marathon match, sportsbet.com.au has paid all bets as winning bets.
"Punters with a bet on the match have ridden the rollercoaster for almost five hours and we think all bets deserved to get paid," said sportsbet.com.au's Haydn Lane.
All refunds will be in accounts by 5pm Monday 24th January.

[mighty_tiger_79]

After an epic Australian Open battle between Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone in what was a marathon match, sportsbet.com.au has paid all bets as winning bets.
"Punters with a bet on the match have ridden the rollercoaster for almost five hours and we think all bets deserved to get paid," said sportsbet.com.au's Haydn Lane.
All refunds will be in accounts by 5pm Monday 24th January.

did they do that with Hewitt in round 1, 4 hours 48mins?

[CK]

MAL although a contest, NADAL fairly comfortably

Agree with G here (let's not let this become a habit, G ). I would think a four setter would be appropriate, but Nadal is just in very good form right now and really hard to see him being beaten.

Tomorrow's match will be interesting though - Berdych v Djokovic. If the former wins, then think he has a genuine show of making the final, and that could be a very intriguing match up, if Berdych faces Nadal. Nadal leads 9-3 in head to head, but worth noting two of those are the last two occasions they met.

[mickey]

After an epic Australian Open battle between Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone in what was a marathon match, sportsbet.com.au has paid all bets as winning bets.
"Punters with a bet on the match have ridden the rollercoaster for almost five hours and we think all bets deserved to get paid," said sportsbet.com.au's Haydn Lane.
All refunds will be in accounts by 5pm Monday 24th January.

did they do that with Hewitt in round 1, 4 hours 48mins?

Kind of MT79

sportsbet.com.au are offering all their Tennis fanatics an offer which is set to be loved!

Simply back a player Head to Head in any match
If your player loses the match in the 5th set
You'll get your money back! (max $100)

[CK]

Current markets:

K Clijsters 2.25
N Li 4.00
C Wozniacki 4.50
V Zvonareva 7.00
P Kvitova 13.00
A Radwanska 67.00

R Nadal 2.38
R Federer 2.88
A Murray 5.50
N Djokovic 5.50
A Dolgopolov 67.00
D Ferrer 101.00

[mal]

Slightly off topic lads
Who were the better players ?

BORG V FEDERER

MCENROE V NADAL

I reckon BORG might have the FED covered
But find it hard to split MCENROE and NADAL, maybe NADAL by a whisker

[CK]

Slightly off topic lads
Who were the better players ?

BORG V FEDERER

MCENROE V NADAL

I reckon BORG might have the FED covered
But find it hard to split MCENROE and NADAL, maybe NADAL by a whisker

The most difficult part about comparing McEnroe and Nadal, is that McEnroe's record at the French Open (and on clay, in general), didn't compare with Nadal's. Never won it, and didn't actually contest it in six separate years. Despite that, he maintained a high ranking, in the top two, for a fair time. Also worth noting, that McEnroe remains one of the all time greatest doubles players, winning nine Grand Slam doubles titles. Nadal rarely contests doubles and only has two minor titles to his name in that area. For me, McEnroe, for longevity, consistency and sheer output.

Borg and Federer is a really tough one. Borg's Grand Slam record is incredible, for its relative shortness, and to win the French Open/Wimbledon double three straight years is something we may never see in our lifetimes again. I lean to Borg here, but definite acknowledgement that Federer is a champion.

One thing worth noting with Borg - over his nine year career, he beat his opponents in a set 6-0, on the ATP tour, 116 times. Federer, over a similar eight year period (99-07) did this 55 times. Borg's dominance is often lost a bit in history.

[G]

CK Im a huge fan of Mc Enroe and his fiery on court antics etc never dimmed my admiration for him BUT come on now, Nadal has him clearly covered with a good 6 or 7 years still to go !!!!

[CK]

CK Im a huge fan of Mc Enroe and his fiery on court antics etc never dimmed my admiration for him BUT come on now, Nadal has him clearly covered with a good 6 or 7 years still to go !!!!

Depends how much extra credence we give to doubles titles. For a player to notch 7 singles Grand Slams and 9 doubles Grand Slams (plus one Mixed Doubles) = total of 17 Slams. Nadal, no question at all, has been outstanding in winning 9 to date (albeit 3 on clay) at such a young age - but I'm looking at what they have achieved to date, not what Nadal MAY achieve in the future. Let's say Nadal never wins another Slam from now on - is he still better?

Have opened a separate discussion thread and poll in the "Other Sports" forum for this one also, out of interest.

[Mr_Willy]

Rafa looking injured and in a fair bit of trouble...

[Johno6]

ferrer or whatever his name is was paying $81 to win the thing before tonights game

[mighty_tiger_79]

he cant win it

[CK]

Agreed, can't see Ferrer winning it. The winner of Federer and Djokovic tomorrow night will win it.

[Johno6]

i totally agree
im just sayin thats how much of a chance they thought he had against nada;

[mal]

6-4
6-2
6-3
FERRER kills NADAL
FERRER and FEDERER are very happy