Season YTD (0-0-0)
All units played between 1-10 units. I'm not big on writeups in the smaller tournaments but there will always be reason behind my selections this season so feel free to ask questions.
Going to start with the Hopman Cup.
31/12/06
India to beat Czech Rep - (+330) (5)
India qualified through the newly created "Asian Hopman Cup" system and I see this as a very strong bet for a couple of reasons:
*Although Czech Rep clearly have the edge in the mens singles with Berdych, India IMO have the edge in both the womens in the form of Mirza and the mixed doubles. Mirza has been playing through the off season, having participated in the Asian games where she got a silver (runner up to Zheng) and a gold in the mixed doubles with Leander Paes. Safarova has always been known to be a slow starter to the season so I can easily see this tie being decided in the doubles.
* Safarova ande Berdych may be an item off the court :smiley_acbe: but have played next to no doubles on court. Bohpanna and Mirza have already teamed up 5 years ago when they played for India under the youth tournament, also were unbeaten in the Asian Hopman Cup. Anyone who has seen Bohpanna play will know he possess a huge serve and is a very competent volleyer, one of the very few Asians who actually serve and volleyer. As aforementioned, Mirza just came off a mixed doubles win in the Asian Games with Paes, she knows how to play the format and against an untried team, huge chance for India to pull off a shock win.
Croatia to beat Spain - (+165) (3)
Another tie which will be decided in the mixed doubles, with Spain having the edge in the womens singles, Croatia in the mens singles. Ancic has been training throughout the off season with [SIZE=-1]Niki Pilic[/SIZE] straight after being an alternate in Shanghai. I caught an interview with him today and he was very confident of a strong showing this Aussie summer as a result as he was the of the opinion he was as fit as ever and fully recovered from the back injury which plagued him last season. In the doubles, Ancic is the clear standout doubles player from both sides, he is more then capable of carrying his little sister in this one against Robredo/AMG who do not play any doubles on tour at all.
:cheers:
All units played between 1-10 units. I'm not big on writeups in the smaller tournaments but there will always be reason behind my selections this season so feel free to ask questions.
Going to start with the Hopman Cup.
31/12/06
India to beat Czech Rep - (+330) (5)
India qualified through the newly created "Asian Hopman Cup" system and I see this as a very strong bet for a couple of reasons:
*Although Czech Rep clearly have the edge in the mens singles with Berdych, India IMO have the edge in both the womens in the form of Mirza and the mixed doubles. Mirza has been playing through the off season, having participated in the Asian games where she got a silver (runner up to Zheng) and a gold in the mixed doubles with Leander Paes. Safarova has always been known to be a slow starter to the season so I can easily see this tie being decided in the doubles.
* Safarova ande Berdych may be an item off the court :smiley_acbe: but have played next to no doubles on court. Bohpanna and Mirza have already teamed up 5 years ago when they played for India under the youth tournament, also were unbeaten in the Asian Hopman Cup. Anyone who has seen Bohpanna play will know he possess a huge serve and is a very competent volleyer, one of the very few Asians who actually serve and volleyer. As aforementioned, Mirza just came off a mixed doubles win in the Asian Games with Paes, she knows how to play the format and against an untried team, huge chance for India to pull off a shock win.
Croatia to beat Spain - (+165) (3)
Another tie which will be decided in the mixed doubles, with Spain having the edge in the womens singles, Croatia in the mens singles. Ancic has been training throughout the off season with [SIZE=-1]Niki Pilic[/SIZE] straight after being an alternate in Shanghai. I caught an interview with him today and he was very confident of a strong showing this Aussie summer as a result as he was the of the opinion he was as fit as ever and fully recovered from the back injury which plagued him last season. In the doubles, Ancic is the clear standout doubles player from both sides, he is more then capable of carrying his little sister in this one against Robredo/AMG who do not play any doubles on tour at all.
:cheers:
