Flavia Pennetta v Melanie Oudin

The score was 5*-4 30-30 when I decided to try and nick a few quid by getting on. As they say timing is everything in tennis betting and Oudin broke by taking the next two points :-(

Still confident Pennetta will win but annoyed that I could have had 1.25 less than a minute after I took 1.12!

Could really do with a break here! Here it is BP....... good point from Oudin - Deuce! But that was a great shot from Pennetta cross court and peppering the line for BP#2... 2nd serve..... DOUBLE FAULT!!!

What a time for the first double fault of the match. You have to feel for the youngster there, well I would if I didn't have my money on Pennetta! :-) Now then Flavia let's serve this set out this time please. 6*-5

That's better from Pennetta dominating the point for 15-0. Hmmm Oudin on top there 15-15. I tell you what regardless of the result here today she has backed up her US Open performances for me and showed that she may be one to watch next season, especially on home turf. Anyway 30-30 in the match. Set Point#1.... taken. 7-5 Pennetta.

Well Pennetta hasn't started the 2nd set too well, she has just saved 2 BP's when 0*-1. She comes through though with a great backhand up the line for 1-1.

WOW I nipped to the loo and Pennetta is 2*-1 up!! Nice :-) Pennetta should be able to see this one out now. Very impressive love service game from Flavia confirms her break and I will be interested to see Oudin's reaction here for future reference. 0-15, 0-30, 0-40!!! 15-40 but only because of a wild shot from Flavia. Break!!

Understandable and maybe even forgiveable collapse from Oudin here. Fought so hard in the first set and was unlucky really. Then she had the break point opportunities at 0*-1 but Pennetta held. That was probably the straw that broke the camel's back. Just hope she can plug away to the end as she's been no disgrace here.

 Well, well 15-40 ... 30-40 .... Break 4-2* Well done Melanie but I still feel this is over already!
And Pennetta gets 0-40 straight away.... 15-40 ...Break 5*-2 Pennetta to serve it out and win the Fed Cup!

Italy have won the Fed Cup for only the 2nd time.

Pennetta Wins 7-5 6-2
Profit: £3.91

Francesca Schiavone v Melanie Oudin

These two have played each other only once before with Schiavone winning 6-1 6-1 at Indian Wells in 2008. However don't read too much in to that as Oudin was only 16!

Schiavone seems to be in the form of her life at the moment. She reached the final in Osaka and then followed that up with only her second career title in Moscow last week. She did have a right leg injury before that but it obviously healed up nicely.

Melanie Oudin had a great run at the US Open this year and prior to that I had heard little about her as has only just turned 18. When looking up her stats I was expecting to see a US hardcourt specialist so was fairly shocked to see two Clay court Challenger titles in the spring. Then I realised they wer both in the States so, in my humble opinion, may as well be ignored!

More appropriate is the fact she followed those up with a 6-0 6-1 loss at the French to Zuzana Ondraskova!!!

She is also reported to have had gastrointestinal illness recently.

I was initially cautious with this but 1.30 is a very nice price for Schiavone here thank you!

Flavia Pennetta v Alexa Glatch

Here it is the Final of the Federations Cup is upon us so Christmas is definitely fast approaching!

I'm afraid I have no inspired pick here for you. Flavia Pennetta should win comfortably and as such I'm on from the start. I was tempted to go for 2-0 but Fed Cup can throw anything at you so I didn't want the risk of Glatch nicking a set.

Mind you I can't believe my back of 1.13 wasn't taken and I've had to get on at 1.11!!!! Far too short :o

The only slight concern is Pennetta's knee but I'm confident enough that should she have a lasting problem she wouldn't have been risked when they could have drafted in one of their other players such as Vinci as they now have some strength in depth.

Good Luck All

Pennetta WIns 6-3 6-1
Profit: £2.26

Aravane Rezai v Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez

Got on at 6-2 4*-3. Really disappointed that I didn't get in earlier but a win is still a win I guess (as long as she wins!)
5-3* A break for GSM would be nice now!

GSM

Rezai Wins 6-2 6-3
Profit: £1.13

Shahar Peer v Magdalena Rybarikova

This is the first meeting between these two which is somewhat surprising considering that both perform well on the hardcourt.

Neither player has any ongoing injury concerns and neither should be considered a worry in terms of retirement with Peer having retired twice this season but both times before the first set was over. Rybarikova has not retired all season.

Peer has been in fine form this Autumn, including a run of 12 consecutive wins that saw her collect two titles. Her ranking of 31 probably reflects more her Grand Slam performances rather than a true reflection of her abilities, which she seems to be rediscovering after a year or so of indifference. She drew Wozniacki in the 1st round of the Aus Open, was injured for the French, got Petrova in the 2nd round at Wimbledon and finally got Kuznetsova in the 3rd round at the US Open. In my opinion her true ranking is somewhere in the 10-15 range.

Rybarikova has done well this year and shocked quite a few with her maiden tour title in Birmingham. While she seems to be a late bloomer compared to modern standards I just feel that she has reached the level at which she will stay with maybe the odd foray into the top 30 ahead of her.

As a match up. Peer has to be fancied as the odds of 1.5-1.6 would suggest. Rybarikova lost 6-4 6-4 to Bartoli yesterday so is effectively out of the competition. Just need to watch out that she doesn't suddenly have an awesome serving day! Peer knows a win would see a shoot out with an injury carrying Bartoli for a place in the semi's,

Verdict: Peer win @ 1.54

WTA Tournament Of Champions - Bali Day 1

Well as I had a bit of time on my hands I thought I'd do a quick write up on tomorrows matches. It will hopefully help me focus on where I should be putting my hard earned money and where I shouldn't. Not offering tips as such just listing information so that I can easily reference it tomorrow.

Sabine Lisicki v Aravane Rezai 6.00am GMT

Head to head is 1-0 which was in this years US Open 1st Round 7-6(4) 6-7(4) 6-1
As you can see 2 Tiebreaks in that match which suggests the 1.32 on Lisicki is a lay for value.
Lisicki got to the final of Luxembourg 2 weeks ago with a couple of good wins most notably a 6-3 4-6 7-6(5) victory over a resurgent, but perhaps fatigued, Peer in the semi finals.
Lisicki has retired 3 times this year, all after the 1st set is completed, and is listed as having numerous injury niggles throughout the season so may be worth watching closely. She has won 22 lost 7 when favourite this year.
Rezai has not had that many good wins off the clay but notable scalps include Safina in the summer on hard court. Not been having great results of late but they have been indoors.
Rezai has not retired in any matches this year. She has no injury worries I am aware of. Rezai has won 5 lost 13 when underdog this year.
Verdict: I would be looking to lay 1.32 on Lisicki for the trade here.

Yanina Wickmayer v Kimiko Date Krumm

These two have never played each other before and Date Krumm turned professional in the game 7 months before Wickmayer was born!!!!
Wickmayer has had a very good year imho and that has carried through to the last few weeks with a win in Linz followed by a semi final appearance in Luxembourg. She had hamstring trouble after the US Open but that seems to be behind her from recent results. She has not retired in any matches this season. However there was that bizarre default in the Clearwater Challenger where she went berserk. Won 23 lost 6 when favourite.
Date Krumm is, quite frankly, a legend for being here! At the age of 39 she is the grandma of the tour ;) Her win in Seoul a few weeks ago was completely out of the blue but this is her favourite surface. She has no injury worries that I am aware of. She has retired once this season and it was after the 1st set was complete. Won 6 Lost 8 when underdog.
Verdict: Wickmayer should be far too good here.

2nd set of matches up in the morning.

Marion Bartoli v Magdalena Rybarikova

The head to head is 2-1 in Bartoli's favour with all 3 being played on hard this year. The two most recent have gone to 3 sets with one win each coming from them however Rybarikova's win came as Bartoli retired the week before the US Open so maybe should be ignored. Bartoli has once again had a very good season with two titles on the hard courts. Bartoli's biggest concern will be her, apparently ongoing, right shoulder injury which forced her retirement in Osaka a few weeks ago. She has retired 5 times this season 3 of which have been after the first set is complete. She has won 37 lost 14 when favourite this season.
Rybarikova has had a mediocre season and ignoring her win in Birmingham but did so some promise in the Summer US hardcourts. She has no injury worries I am aware of and has not retired this season. She has won 9 lost 15 when Underdog.
Verdict: If you must bet then Bartoli @1.43 is probably a small lay due to injury problems and probably not wanting to be here she should win but may retire.

Samantha Stosur v Agnes Szavay

The head to head is 1-0 to Szavay but has no relevance here in my opinion despite being on hard it was over 2 years ago when both players were very different. Stosur has had an incredible year really rocketing up the rankings and only getting beaten, on the whole, by other quality players. She had an abdominal strain a few weeks ago but showed in Osaka she is over that. Stosur has had no retirements this season. She has Won 27 Lost 8 when favourite.
Szavay has not performed that well off the clay this year. She has no injuries I am aware of and has not retired this season. She has won 5 lost 12 when Underdog.
Verdict: Sam Stosur should win easily and the odds of 1.3 are a gift.

Venus Williams v Serena Williams

2-6 6-5* 15-15 when I got on at 1.39. Hoping for a hold here from Serena and then a TB win.

Back Serena Williams 1.39 £69.29 £27.02
Ref: 9339760998 Bet matched:16:33 01-Nov-09

There's the hold now we need the Tiebreak.

0-1** MB straight off. Now for two holds?
0-2* There's the first
0**-3 Nicely done now another MB please!
1*-3 Nick a MB here then Serena.
1-4** Double fault from Venus! Now two holds for 5 MP's?
1-5* C'mon one more hold!
2**-5 MB back for Venus. Two MB for the match then Serena!!
3*-5 Need a MB now Serena!
4-5** Going to have to serve it out then!
4-6* MP Take it!!!
4-7 GSM Serena :)

Serena Williams Wins 6-2 7-6(4)
Profit: £25.70

Caroline Wozniacki v Jelena Jankovic

Well this is one I was waiting for but then got distracted so missed the start.
It was 15-15 in the first game of the match when I got on with Wozniacki serving.
I'm in so early because there is no way Woniackican beat Jankovic today after two gruelling matches and her injury problems. Only gone in £400 so leaves some to rescue or top up if it goes against me.

Back Jelena Jankovic 1.38 £164.95 £62.68
Ref: 9318004698 Bet matched:14:15 30-Oct-09
1.39 £2.16 £0.84
Ref: 9318004698 Bet matched:14:15 30-Oct-09
1.4 £100.00 £40.00
Ref: 9318004698 Bet matched:14:15 30-Oct-09
1.42 £132.89 £55.81
Ref: 9318004698 Bet matched:14:15 30-Oct-09

If Wozniacki does manage to win or indeed even get a set then I would be very surprised and maybe her "injury" antics yesterday were more in her head than physical. Jankovic just needs to bring her steady patient game to the court today and keep making her opponent move.

3*-2 First blood to Jankovic. She looks in total control at the moment. Just needs to stay focused.
4-2* And focused she doesn't stay going to 15-40 but saved them and another BP before finally holding.
5*-2 And another break. Let's hope Wozniacki sees out the set. Though I believe she needs to win a set to guarantee a place in the next round, depending on Azarenka's result later. Is Denmark nice in October? I'd rather stay in Doha for some sunshine on my holidays!!
6-2 Set to Jankovic!! Now you can retire and hit the beach if you like Caroline. :)

Ordinarily I would be looking to green out on this but I really feel it would just be throwing money away so will stick unless I see an opportunity open up in another match.

1*-0 Nice start from JJ with the break.
2-0* Bit of a wobble so I'm out at 1.04 Woz may get a set here if Jelena has a brain fart. Better safe than sorry and of course "GREEN IS GOOD"

Jankovic Wins 6-2 6-2
Profit: £132.03

Vera Zvonereva v Caroline Wozniacki

Score is 0-6 5*-6 Vera serving to stay in the match.

Back Caroline Wozniacki 1.17 £921.76 £156.70
Ref: 9311516281 Bet matched:15:37 29-Oct-09

0-15 Double fault!! 3 more please!
0-30 Double Fault!! 2 more please!
15-30 C'mon Woz!!
15-40 Take One please!!
30-40 This one then Wozniacki!!!

GSM
No!! Challenge still 30-40 :(
Deuce :( C'mon Woz!! 2 double faults would be nice!!
Adv Zvonereva

There is a prime example of why betting software is useful. I would have hit all green on Fairbot at 1.04 and been home and dry now. However for some reason I didn't have it open :( D'oh!!

Pfft 6-6 Tiebreak Time!! Hope that GSM doesn't throw Wozniacki!! A hold 1st up please.

0**-1 Now 2 MB's please :)
0*-2 And another?
1-2** OK two holds possible in WTA?
2-2* No it isn't :( Just one then at least please!!
2**-3 Thankyou now for two MB's a DF would be nice Vera ;)
3*-3 C'mon Woz you can't let her hold twice!!
4-3** Uh Oh :( two holds now needed from Caroline.... c'mon!!
5-3* This is not good!! C'mon Woz sort it out this should be over!!
6**-3 Double effing fault from Wozniacki!! :(
7-3 Set Zvonereva.

Thank you very much Dr Hawkins and your bloomin Hawkeye invention!! :(

OK Vera to serve 1st let's have a break then!!
Had control of the point at 15-30 and should have won it but 30-30 the BP but saved BP#2 TAKE IT!!!! YEEEESSSSS!!!! Break!!
0-1* Can she consolidate it? Hope we don't have a final set like yesterday's Woz match!!
0*-2 Nice one Wozniacki now can she break again?
1-2* No idea what happened that game as my internet connection decided to have a "rest" :( Need a hold now then Caroline please!!
From 40-15 to deuce :( C'mon Woz hold!! OMG BP!!!! NOOOOO I want a hold!!!
Deuce. C'mon Woz hold please!! GP TAKE IT!!!! HOLDS! Probably more important than breaks at the moment!!
1*-3 Let's have the old missed BP = Break next game scenario then!!

WTF - Trainer!! DO NOT RETIRE WOZ Get back out there and break her!!

Right c'mon then get the break then I'll get out and you can do what you want!! Woz seems to be moving ok! Probably just tactical before Vera had to serve! Here's hoping!
Ooh should have had 15-30 there but 30-15 instead :( And now would have been 15-40 but only 30 all. C'mon Woz 2 more. BP!!! TAKE IT!!!!!!! PFFFttt saved. :( GP. Deuce c'mon Wozniacki.... 2 points!! We've not had a DF for a while! Again had the chance in the point but GP :(

2-3* Hmmm getting very nervous now! Don't know what Wozniacki's reaction will be if she gets broken here. Market will go into meltdown too, maybe I should red for -243? But hopefully she'll hold to love :)

0-30 awful from Woz and a flip flop to boot :(
0-40 I'm gonna get done here I feel! :( c'mon Woz fight!!
3*-3 Now we will see Wozniacki's mettle! Break back girl c'mon!!
4-3*
1.09 on Vera. I can't bear to watch off to walk the dog and whatever will be will be :(

Woniacki Won 6-0 6(3)-7 6-4
Profit: £150.12

Caroline Wozniacki v Victoria Azarenka

Score is 1-6 3*-4 Wozniacki to serve! Hoping for a quick break then hold from Azarenka for GSM :)

Back Victoria Azarenka 1.17 £142.48 £24.22
Ref: 9303264014 Bet matched:15:43 28-Oct-09

15-40 C'mon Vicky!! 30-40 TAKE IT!!! Pffft Deuce :(
4-4* Hold now Vicky!!
15-40 Fffffiddlesticks!! 1 saved c'mon Vicky!! Break :(
5*-4 Rubbish!! :( Now need the rebreak here. Odd are crazy imho!! 1.73 LOL I hope they get their fingers burnt at those prices she was 1.46ish SP ffs!
30-15 but looked like Wozniacki just had to stretch her thigh off then!!
30-40 TAKE IT!!!
Deuce - Wozniacki is finished think people missed that pull up before!! Even if she serves this out she can not keep it up in a 3rd!
Set Wozniacki and nearly evens the pair??? Absolute madness!!! Wozniacki is finished!! Azarenka just has to stay on court.

WTF is is this 10 mins break??? Heat??

Reading the forums it seems I have in the minority thinking Azarenka is stronger here!! That's messed my head up somewhat!

OK time to think now. Vicky serving 1st in final set so I'm going to lay the server to get out of this so:

Lay Victoria Azarenka 1.88 £188.64 £354.64 £166.00
Ref: 9303627648 Bet matched: 16:10 28-Oct-09
£44.22 Wozniacki
-£141.78 Azarenka

0*-1 Hmmm 35 tick drop for a hold :( Have to stay on Woz! Don't punish me!! I can't follow that market as a hold again and I'll be in even more of a mess :(

0-2* If only they hadn't had that break!! I wouldn't have read the forums and held my position!! :( C'mon Wozniacki fight back please :)

1*-2 And Wozniacki breaks back!! Should have just kept laying the server would have been out now! Hold please Wozniacki!
1-3* Break to love!! :( Wozniacki you muppet!! Now break back please!
2*-3 YEEESSSS!!! Can she back it up with a hold this time? A point would be a start!
Tempted to switch for the break but surely not 5 in a row :o
0-40 What is this crap?? Deuce!! Now hold!!! Another BP saved! GP Take it!!! How many times in WTA do players fight back from 0-40 only to get broken still!! :(
2-4* FFS this is shocking!! Break again? Yes please :)

On a lighter note.... Wozniacki really should sack her stylist!! Those outfits she's been wearing of late are awful!! Did she get them from a charity shop?

3*-4 Double fault gives the Break!! Woeful from both players here. I wish I had stayed out probably missing loads of opportunities in other matches :(
A hold here and Wozniacki should be odds on!! Not giving away 0-40 would be a bonus!
0-40 AGAIN!!! FFS Azarenka though seems to have injured her knee or ankle!
3-5* Broken to love!!!

4*-5 Now then will the injury concern for Azarenka eat in to her? Will Wozniacki win a point on serve? Does WOzniacki have more than one shot? LOL C'mon Caroline let's have one incy wincy little hold please :)

0-15 Double fault :( 15-15 some hope!! 30-15!! 30-30 :( Just 2 points Wozniacki please :) MATCH POINT #1 :( Saved!! Now Wozniacki to win :) GP!! Deuce :( GP!!! Take it this time!! YEEEESSSS

5-5* Finally after a run of 8 consecutive breaks we have a hold after saving Match Point. How will Azarenka react now? Bring on the break please!
6*-5 LOL Violation gives the break!!! Vicky trying to be Serena Williams!! :D

Now then Wozniacki to serve it out? I can now green up for £3.00ish if I wanted but I have faith in Wozniacki if not to serve it out then in a Tiebreak. But c'mon the hold!!
15-0 C'mon!!
30-0 Two more please :)
40-0 Yes Yes Yes Take one of these!!
40-15 This one then!!!
YESSSSSSS!!!!!

Wozniacki Wins 1-6 6-4 7-5
Profit: £44.22

Shahar Peer v Daniela Hantuchova

Back Shahar Peer 1.41 £36.33 £14.90
Ref: 9260533690 Bet matched:19:07 23-Oct-09
1.41 £11.07 £4.54
Ref: 9260533690 Bet matched:19:07 23-Oct-09
1.41 £5.00 £2.05
Ref: 9260533690 Bet matched:19:07 23-Oct-09


Peer leads 6-2 but 2nd set has seen 2 consecutive breaks to see us at 1-1 Hant serving. Hoping the break fest continues here.

1*-2 Holds to 15!! Typical I get on and she manages to hold for only the 2nd time in the match!! :(

2-2* Now then lets have a break now Shahar!!
Pffft from 0-40 to deuce!! BP!! Deuce :( GP! Deuce#2 BP.. This time surely!! Pfft Deuce#3, BP#6 Is six her lucky number? No :(

2*-3 Grrrr can't believe she didn't break their :(
3-3* Hold to love very impressive now break!!
Break!!!
4*-3 Now hold!!
5-3* Break for GSM please :)
5*-4 Got to serve it out now!! C'mon Shahar :)
2MP's!! Deuce :( MP#3 Deuce :( WTF??? Break Point :(
Break :(
5-5* I don't believe I didn't get out there!! Hope I don't get punished now!!
5*-6 Free game for Hant now :( C'mon Peer let's have a TB then!!
6-6 Holds to 15 good girl now a MB please

0**1 2 holds then!
1*-1 And another
2-1** Now at least one but preferably two Mb's please
2-2* This one then
3**-2 Yes!!! Now two holds to back it up :)
4*-2 at the change over c'mon Peer bring it home now!!
4-3** MB back  :( 2 MB's then please!!
5-3* C'mon one more!!
5**-4 Can she serve it out??
6*-4 MP#4 Take it!!!!!!
YESSS!!!! GSM

Peer Wins 6-2 6-4
Profit:£20.60

Sabine Lisicki v Patty Schnyder

Back Sabine Lisicki 1.05 £50.00 £2.50
Ref: 9259745857 Bet placed: 17:59 23-Oct-09

Score is 6-4 4-2 15-15 when I get on now got to get my dinner so hope it's straight forward from here. :)

Lisicki Wins  6-4 6-2

Profit: £2.40