MARIA SHARAPOVA has her work cut out trying to reach the Wimbledon final as she goes into battle today against nemesis Serena Williams.
The Russian has lost their last 16 meetings and taken just one set off the world No.1 in seven years. Sharapova is 9-2 at BetVictor to end that long losing streak while Williams is just 1-5 at Paddy Power to triumph.
The other semi-final is much more evenly matched, with 20th seed Garbine Muguruza 10-11 at Paddy Power against 2012 runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska who is generally available at evens.
Their head-to-head record is two wins each and it could well be a tight one so I'll be having a go at over 2.5 sets at 5-4 with bet365.
Gilles Simon let me down yesterday with a meek straight-sets surrender to Roger Federer and Marin Cilic was the scourge of plenty of other punters when he failed to win a set against Novak Djokovic.
Joe Root was England's hero on day one of the Ashes with a century stand to steady the ship after the loss of three early wickets. The hosts posted 343-7 and are now 23-10 at Boylesports to win the first Test, with the Aussies out to 13-8 at Skybet and the draw paying 9-5 at Boylesports.
There's also Tour de France cycling and a Super League match among the day's sporting highlights so post your tips and thoughts here and good luck with your bets.
Scott's tennis bet
Muguruza v Radwanska over 2.5 sets (5-4, bet365)
In December 2020 we sadly 
So yesterdays was a loser as Cilic failed to win a set against Djokovic.
Today I see the value in backing a 3 setter between Sharapova and Williams.
Over 2.5 sets
9/4
Bet365
as much as i want this match to go to 3 sets the stats just goes well against it
Cycling: Tour de France 2015 stage 6
Finish on top of a small hill. Could be a chaotic stage with the course going along the coast open for crosswinds. But I think my picks will be there in the end.
Match-ups, winner in capitals:
SAGAN v Degenkolb
GALLOPIN v Stybar
Double @ 1.96 with 888 (1.91 with WH)
Sagan is in great form and he is the man to beat tomorrow. I think the last hill will be too much for Degenkolb to go with the best. I can see a mix of climbers and punchers go for the win. One of these punchers is Gallopin, great finish on stage 3 on the Huy climb, he left Stybar far behind. I think we will see the same tomorrow.
I will also have each-way bets on below riders:
Tony Gallopin @ 17.00 various
Greg van Avermaet @ 11.00 various
One successful cricket bet yesterday from one with cook to score under 30 runs and main tennis bet lost with cilic not winning a set. Thankfully the cricket is here because the tennis betting has become a bit too hit and miss. Looks like good value in Australia now considering we’ve only had one days play, England won’t be out there for much longer as Broad can’t bat and there’s not much depth at our tail.
1st innings lead – Australia
1/1 bet365
That’s my main bet, might have a little punt on Australia to win if England do score a few more runs and the price drifts to 2/1
I like your thinking there Harry mate, i think the Australians will win as their is too much strength in their batting line up. Like you said i am going to wait for this mornings session and see if England can add a few then stick 2 points on the Aussies to win if it gets to around 2/1.
Modest outlay
Cricket
Top Aussie batsman (1st innings)
Smith 10/3
Tennis
Looking ahead, have to say Federer looks attractive (at evens) to beat Murray. Will have to think on it.
—————-
Williams to win the Womens singles at 4/11
Murray v Federer O3.5sets
9/10 @bet365
Destination of free fiver bet from bet365
Double (outright tournament wins)
Federer
Muguruza
41.5/1
Anyone like Sharapova -4.5 Double Faults at 10/11?
RobRoy, I’d like to see the stats – my impression of the tournament is she has served more than Serena but I haven’t checked it.
I’d go over 4.5 double faults for Sharapova.
This Wimbledon her DF counts have been
7, 8, 6, 7, 10 respectively
Official Wimbledon site
——————
In past matches v S.Wiliams that I can find data
WTA site
7, 8, 4, 5, 8, 8, 5
The last two being from 2014
Can’t get the Aus Open match data from this year.
When it looks to good to be true, it usually is.
Thought it was purely to do with DF for Sharapova.
I misinterpreted the bet you were talking about, sorry.
can both matches in the tennis today go to the full 3 sets
both matches decent odds
5/4 & 9/4
Blue Jays & o6.5 @ 2.1 *lost*
Rays & o5.5 @ 2.38 *lost*
D’backs @ 2.2 *won*
Blue Jays losing in extra innings cost me a profit.
Tonight’s mlb
Blue Jays o8.5 hits @ 2.05 bet365
Dodgers & o5.5 runs @ 1.8 (double stake)
Tigers @ o5.5 runs @ 2.1
What’s peoples thoughts on the cricket now? Still worth backing Australia?
I’m still backing my England bet. They gonna come hard at the Aussie line-up which isn’t great in my opinion.
Might stick some cash in-play on the Aussie run rate cause they’ll go hard either way
Maybe worth a small stake at almost 3/1 mate as Anderson won’t be out there for very long and aussies should be in soon and attacking. I got them at 7/2 before Moeen went but not a big stake as we’re yet to see how their batting is
Don’t think I’ll bother…I’m not going to pretend I know anything about cricket.
JamesB- I really like that double of yours. I placed the exact same bet last night!
I’m also on the straight win double of Fed/ Mug for their semis @ 2/1.
Good luck!
Ad.
Novak / Federer final?
Who wins?
Head whispers Novak, heart screams Roger!
Craigyboy it’s always worth keeping an eye on the scores and prices because in plays can be very profitable with cricket. In the space of an hour earlier Australia went 13/8 all the way out to 7/2 and now back into 7/4. I can already cash out my 7/2 on them for a decent % profit but was only a small punt so I’m leaving it for now
Harry im definitely on england to win the first test
100 just put on
Ill have 400 as long as rain holds off
ENgland play way better as underdogs so will win a test or two.
Other bets
SMitH leading batsman 10/3
STarc top bowler
FInal score 2-2
Aga is going to get obliterated if she doesn’t change it up. Nothing on these forehands.
Got Australia @ 4.40 for the 1st test – sweat is on
Aussies scoring at a healthy rate as predicted. Made some good profit already. You’d probably expect them to score around 4 an over from here on too.
I’d back the draw in the Ashes game. Aussies will bat out today and get through until perhaps lunch or even more tomorrow then declare and England will bat out themselves on this tough, stodgy wicket
Cycling: Tour de France 2015 stage 6 result
Match-ups, winner in capitals:
SAGAN v Degenkolb
GALLOPIN v Stybar
Double @ 1.96 with 888 (1.91 with WH)
All bets lost :(
Aus will win Eng ? Whats the best bet to make just now ?
Modest outlay
Cricket
Top Aussie batsman (1st innings)
Smith 10/3
……..LOST
After a year with a test average of over a 100, the 1st Test in the Ashes is a bad time for Smith to start hitting poor
shots/scores.
I wonder if he’ll relatively struggle for the next few innings.
In play
Athletic hit in 3rd inning YES @ 1.66
Tanaka is gonna get knocked around tonight
Wigan v leeds
Tipped my wigan boys last week and they got out fought by Warrington, will be a reaction tonight and we are unbeaten at home, only issue is were up against the league leaders. So am sticking to try scorer bets tonight
Liam farrell anytime 13/8
Josh charnley 6/5 coral special offer link via wigan twitter page. New customers can get 8/1 for wigan to win via twitter account
Evening Guys
Evening Guys Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos
It is top versus third tonight at the DW Stadium, as table toppers Leeds Rhinos travel to Wigan looking for the win that finish any hope the Warriors have of finishing top of the table. Despite that it is Wigan who are the 4/6 Favourites.
Wigan bring back John Bateman, Josh Charnley and Tony Clubb back whilst captain Sean O’Loughlin is passed fit and young half back George Williams, while Dom Manfredi and Ryan Sutton are out. For Leeds fullback Zak Hardaker is suspended, Stevie Ward is available for selection.
Leeds will have their backers at 11/8 they boast 7 away wins in 10 this season and are the form team in the competition. There have been two meetings between these two this season with one win apiece. They blew St Helens away last week inside 20 mins and I talked about their backline being the best in the league, the wingers scored five tries between them and Kallum Watkins crossed. Wigan will need to find a way to stop them to justify being favourites.
Wigan are struggling at the moment, they were hammered by saints a few weeks ago, they scraped home against Salford and they were poor by all reports and last week they got whipped by Warrington. They were outplayed in all aspect of the game especially in the forwards were they are usually so dominant. They have however turned the DW into a fortress winning 9 out of 9 this season. I think Wigan may nick this O’Loughlin plays and he is vital to the warriors and with Bateman and Clubb back it gives their pack extra aggression and more physicality which was lacking last week.
In try scorer market I will be on Joe Burgess and Kallum Watkins as my main bets. Burgess has 19 tries in 19 games, he failed to score last week but prior to that he had 12 tries in 8 games and has also scored in his last 3 meetings with leeds. He is 5/6 William Hill or you can take the wincast at 6/4 Skybet. Watkins looks like playing at fullback tonight and while I rate him as the best centre in Super league he can cause problems at full back as he can join in the play on both the left and right side of the Rhinos attack. He is 5/4 Skybet.
John Bateman is playing a centre tonight and last time he played their he was man of the match, he is 16/1 to get the award tonight and is worth a small interest however 3/1 Ladbrokes anytime looks appealing.
BURGESS TO SCORE 5/6
WATKINS TO SCORE 5/4
Longshot bet
BATEMAN TO SCORE 3/1
Good luck if your having a bet
Any tips for the rugby chief?
I’m on Leeds to win @17/10
Wigan been really poor recently Leeds win and they’ve pretty much won the season, where better to do that than at the DW
Ave definitely spent a worse £2.33 on a bet than Qasquet to win Wimbeldon at 33/1 yesterday. Should of done Ew but its done know eh.
Murray and Federer be an absolute doozy tomorrow and your winner will surely come from that but never know!?
Fed 3-0 @ 13/2
Fed 3-1 @ 9/2
That’s me done!
The result went my way the night with wigan penalty in last minute superb game of rugby league.
I am quickly enjoying watching rugby league more than football unbelievably for me.
I also been along to 4 St helens home games this season and it’s great atmosphere and you can enjoy a pint.
I follow the chief and lee on here also.
Good shout with farewell tonight lee…
Cheers jazza both my bets came up tonight and was great win for us going to be a good game 2moro am thinking saints win and both to score 20 pts should be about 11/4 but will check team news in morning
Ye lee well done I backed wigan straight up no handicap tonight.
I am going to head along tmw I was at the wigan game the other week i mean the matty bowen hand it to St helens on a plate match great atmosphere.
I have had some big wins in first try scorers in past wingers at 8 to 1 etc nice to see Charnley back tonight…
Richard silverwood drives me up the wall…..
You think Huddersfield score 20 ??
I hear some quinlan new signing for saints tmw.
Can’t wait until Sam Tompkins is back in the league ..
Jazza, Lee good stuff guys, cracking game my main bets lost but advised Bateman to get man of the match at 16/1 so not all lost, it is a good market for 1pt stakes for nice payout not a market i play in as it is a bit of a lottery
Well done chief I didn’t even realise Bateman got it excellent pick
What bookies offers man of match ?
I also noticed betfred pay double odds if you try scorer scores second try also…
Also burrow is somne player the difference he makes !!
Chief good call with Bateman him and lockers make difference to our team. Jazza I reckon will be high scoring game brought kicking game will torment the saints so high scoring game for me 2moro, josh is good going forward but his defence has caused us problems all year which is why manfredi been in for him
Matty bowen did cost us game against saints when match was close but his attacking play has been good recently. Having sam back on the edge will give wigan a real threat next season and he is safe at full back rarely makes mistakes
Jazza, it was skybet, hills and betvictor i know offer it on live games.
I use skybet and they do man of match markets luke Walsh and Danny brough will be favourite 2moro probably around 4/1 rob burrow always good shout to score he just doesn’t get enough game time to make the bet worth while