Tennis lovers around the world wait all year for this amazing tournament, so do the players and so do those who only watch one tennis tournament a year. Its this one – Wimbledon. Now the only Grand slam played on grass and the one where despite his protestations we are bound to have a massive dose of “Murraymania.
Andy Murray is bidding to become the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon titles since Fred Perry, who won the title from 1934-36. Murray ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s singles champion when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final at 2013 Wimbledon. British men have won the title here more times (36) than any other nation and Wimbledon has the most recent resident national champion compared to the other 3 Grand Slam events. He also comes here in just about the best form of his life and as he is now seeded 3 he would normally be assured of a quarter finals berth at least, something he has achieved in 6 of the last 7 years.
This year is different. Bizzarely in order to get to the final he may have to beat Nadal, Federer and Djokovic if the seedings go to plan. Somehow I don’t think they will. I have my eyes on some dream wreckers who may be about to show a new order in 2015 and as Murray says, you have to beat everyone at some stage in order to win the title.
The glory days for Rafa, when he won two Wimbledons in 2008 and 2010 are now five years ago and whilst we underestimate him at our peril I think his seeding of 10 is about right. He will annoy a few in his quarter of the draw but he just doesn’t seem to be able to hurt people with pace and power anymore. He is looking more like Ferrer than Federer these days.
Roger has been given the number 2 seed and as good as some of his performances have been this year he seems to have to work so hard to achieve them and whilst really quick courts may help his amazing ground strokes again I think his time might be over as well. If I am right then Rogers quarter looks good for Stan Wawrinka who is seeded 4 but again, other than last year when he made it to the quarters, Stan has bowed out early every year. That may of course change now that he has another major to his name with the French Open. I just wonder if this quick surface allows him enough time to get himself in to position. If it does and he attacks then he may prove to be a real handful.
Players to watch who regularly play well and are improving every year and who must be supported as part of multiples in the early rounds are :
Mikhail Kukuskkin from Kazikstan will beat a few and should make it to the 3rd round at least, Milos Raonic and Tommy Robredo could create upsets in week 2. Feliciano Lopez from Spain has a liking for Wimbledon now as has the rapidly improving American, John Isner. Marin Cilic and Grigor Dimitrov will also be looking to get deep in to week two and will also be a handful for the ailing bones of one or two.
So who wins.
It looks tailor made for Novak and that is why he is a best priced 7/5. Murray has it all to do but the 11/4 with Sportingbet looks tempting with home ground advantage, the ability to return better than most and confidence that he can beat anyone (Novak aside). If there is an upset I think it will be Milos Roanic who will supply it at 45/1.
Djokovic 1/3, Roanic 9/4, Murray 8/15 and Berdych 100/30 to all win their quarter finals.
All bets with Sportingbet who have guaranteed to go best price every player.
