ANDY MURRAY'S comfortable victory over Edouard Roger-Vasselin was enough for a nice odds-against success with the Scot covering the minus 6.5 game handicap in a 6-16-4 victory.
It was a good start to the claycourt swing for Murray but he may have to step it up today against Stan Wawrinka
The real talking point yesterday came during the match that was being played at the same time as Murray’s between Juan Monaco and Ernests Gulbis who was having one of his days.
The delightfully eccentric Gulbis was given a game penalty for three shows of petulance before daring the umpire to default him. All in a day’s work for Ernie who missed the chance to play Novak Djokovic next in a three-set defeat to Monaco.
Novak Djokovic had a tough start to his clay swing with a three-set win over Mikhail Youzhny but should improve for that match and get past Monaco with fewer dramas than against the Russian.
But Murray will have to bring his A game to the court if he has designs on making the next round against a tough opponent in Wawrinka who has beaten Murray in both of their previous encounters on the dirt.
Admittedly, they were a long time ago but Stan has been in good touch on clay this season and made the final in Buenos Aires on the Golden Swing this season.
It must be noted Murray is yet to make a final on clay and has lost six of his last seven matches on the dirt against top-25 ranked players. Indeed he’s won just four of his last 14 against those opponents and the victories were two wins apiece over Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon.
Wawrinka has been working with Magnus Norman lately and if he can add a little extra something to Stan’s game over the next few weeks could be a force to be reckoned with on the dirt.
The concern though, as ever, is upstairs with Wawrinka when he plays the big names. He’s lost his last nine straight against top-10 ranked opponents and two of his last 19. He has a slightly better record on clay but he’s still lost 10 of his last 12 against top-10 players on the dirt.
I don’t think I can trust Wawrinka to see this through so my bet today is to lay Murray 2-0 at 2.18. The 2-1 Murray win is also tempting at around 4.1.
Tournament favourite Rafa Nadal continues his quest for a ninth Monte Carlo title against Philipp Kohlschreiber today and the German is a 32.0 shot to grab the upset win.
He did take down Nadal on the grass of Halle in their last meeting but his one-handed backhand will be punished by Rafa on the high-bouncing clay here and it’s hard to see how Kohlschreiber can improve upon his best effort of taking six games off the Spaniard on clay.
We didn’t learn a great deal about Nadal yesterday against Marinko Matosevic but Kohlschreiber should at least be a sterner test and the German should be able to cover a +7.5 game handicap today at odds of around 1.7.
Recommended Bet
Lay Murray 2-0 vs Wawrinka at 2.18
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Torn as to how to bet on this. I can’t see Murray losing but likewise agree that he may drop a set.
As my betting funds aren’t on betfair I can’t lay the 2-0. What would you recommend Milesy?
Am thinking about small / medium stakes on 2-1 hoping to lump on Murray in-play if odds drift to evens in first couple of games.
Not convinced by -3.5 handicap as expect close sets.
Mr T, going by the piece Milesey is tipping 2-1 Murray. You could bet that with a bookie or even just take the match to go to three sets.
Murray to win 2-1 @ 11/4
over 2.5 sets @ 6/4
over 22.5 games @ 1/1
All look like the way to go on this match….. I’ll be laying the 2-0 Murray win, so…. anything but the 2-0 Murray win and i’m in profit.
Milesey
Cheers for the advice guys!
Another thing Mr F I won the bonkers bet this weekend but you said there were 4 winners but only 3 free bets. Any idea if I was picked? There is another “Mr T” on the site so don’t know if he received my bet.
MrT, admin will email the winners. Names usually posted when this weekend’s contest threads are put up so you’ll find out then but the correct Mr T will get a prize if selected.
Lay Murray 2-0 vs Wawrinka at 2.18 ** WINNER **
1-0 SETS / WAWRINKA 6-1
Milesey
Murray is killing me here! Will be lucky if over 22 game bet comes in. Should have just credited my betfair account. I’m an idiot!
Murray is killing me here! Will be lucky if over 22 game bet comes in. Should have just credited my betfair account. I’m an idiot!
Same here bro i went for 3 set @ 2.50 on bet365 wish i put money into betfair now, still hats off to Milesey another Good Call
Any tips for this afternoon’s tennis matches??