Sportsbet Blog

The 2008 Wimbledon final between the Swiss master Roger Federer and Spanish star Rafael Nadal was considered by many as the greatest game of tennis ever played. A five set thriller that saw the the powerful Spaniard knock Federer off the top of world tennis and start a new era in the mens game. But the hope for a 2009 rematch under the new retractable roof on center court has been dealt a blow, with Rafael Nadal reportedly under going intensive treatment on a knee injury that could threaten his defense of the title. Roger Federer will go in to the tournament has hot favourite after winning the French Open for the first time, and if Nadal does miss out it will be hard to look past Federer breaking the Pete Samprass record by winning his 15th open title. So is there anyone out there who can stop the Fed Express in its tracks.

Andy Murray $3.75

Andy Murray was my pick for the French Open but once again his stamina let him down and he was dumped out in the second week by Fernando Gonzalez. Murray is ranked at number 3 in the world after he won at the Queens club tournament last week, which was his third title of the year. He is widely considered to be the most likely to break the top twos strangle hold on mens tennis, but that is only if he can take his form in to the second week at the major tournaments. Fred Perry was the last Brit to win Wimbledon, with this the year of his 100th birthday and Nadal’s injury maybe, just maybe the omens are on Andy’s side. He is my pick again so go to Canbet now to get your free bet on Murray making history.

Robin Soderling $26.00

The Swede will be on a massive high going in to this years Wmbledon championships after shocking the world by beating the clay Court master Rafael Nadal on his way to the French Open final. But if you take in to account that Nadal was carrying an injury and that Federer easily disposed of him in the final the effort suddenly doesn’t look so great. There is no doubt that Soderling played well above himself at Roland Garros, but can he do it again on the faster grass courts of Wimbledon? I seriously doubt it. If you think I am wrong and that Soderling has something else up his sleeve go to canbet now and receive your free bet.

Lleyton Hewitt $151.00

There is no doubt that grass is Hewitt’s favourite surface to play on. He won Wimbledon in 2002 don’t forget and always performs pretty well in the grass court season. There is also no doubt that he always plays with all of his heart and soul, thats why we all love him of course. But is heart enough for Lleyton to climb back to the top of world tennis? As much as I would love to say it is, it probably isn’t. I do predict Hewitt getting in to the second week but anything else is probably beyond him.  So if you want to get behind an Aussie I think that Samantha Stosur would be a better bet, canbet are paying $26.00 for Stosur to cause what would be a massive upset

So lets all hope and pray that Andy Murray stops making me look like a total idiot and finally wins me some money.

The French Open will head in to its second week without defending champion Rafael Nadal after he was dumped out of the competition by 23rd seed Robin Soderling. The three sets to one defeat was the world number ones first ever loss at Roland Garros and easily one of the biggest upsets in tennis history. Nadal’s shock exit also leaves the tournament wide open with a number of contenders looking to take his French Open crown that he has owned for the past four years. Here at sportsbetblog.com.au we will be looking at the most likely winners  for you to place your free bet on  from Sportingbet

Roger Federer $2.10

Roger Federer is now the hot favourite to win his 14th Grand Slam title and understandably so. The Swiss master has looked good so far and with his arch nemesis eliminated as well as dangerous Serb Novak Djokovic it would take a brave man to bet against him.

Andy Murray $4.50

Ther is no doubt that Roger Federer’s air of invincibility has gone in recent years thanks mainlyRafael Nadal’s dominance of  him, proving that Federer is human and therefore beatable. Andy Murray is one of those players that has seized on this confidence and beaten Federer on regualr occasions. Murray is one player with the skills that can break the strangle hold that the top two of Federer and Nadal seem to have on the game. His only down fall so far in his career has been a lack of stamina to play top tennis for two full weeks in a Grand Slam, but he has looked fantastic so far disposing of Mario Cilic, Janko Tipsarevic, Potito Starace and Juan Ignacio Chela in fine style. Get your free bet on the tough Brit, this is his year.

Andy Roddick $67.00

American number 6 seed Andy Roddick has travelled well in the first week. But then again he always does, it is the second week of Grand Slams when he faces up against much tougher opponents that he seems to fall flat on his face. He is definately a good bet to get through is fourth round tie against unpredictable Frenchmen Gael Monflis at $2.22, but I am afraid that winning the tournament is probably beyond him.

The Ladies

Maria Sharapova $26.00

Men all over the world are thanking the tennis gods because Maria Sharapova is back on the court and looking like she could cause an upset. She was un seeded for this years Frech Open after a lengthy spell out of the game through injury, and has been taken to three sets in each of her ties so far because of a tough draw. It would be a dream come back for her, but I would save your free bet from betfair for Dinara Safina at $2.26 you can still make a nice little profit.

Samantha Stosur $85.00

Seeded 30th Aussie Samantha Stosur upset 4th seed Elena Dementieva in the third round, and she did it pretty comfortably winning 6-3 4-6 6-1. We would all love a fellow Aussie to win , and at $85.00 Stosur could just be worth a couple of dollars.