Dont Bank on Janko

At Wimbledon 2012 there were 16 odds against winners in the first round so the potential exists for shocks. The trick is to find which players are vulnerable and matching them with opponents with the potential of beating them.

Novak Djokovic has a tricky opener against Florian Mayer who reached the last eight here last year. The German lost to Djokovic on that day in straight sets and this same result could occur here though I would not feel comfortable backing that result at 3/13 (888 SPORT). Andy Murray also has a tricky first round opponent in Benjamin Becker. The German is a big server with the game to ask a few questions of the Scot. Murray though should come through but again I would not be rushing to back him to win in straight sets at 7/19 (888 SPORT). The tie of the first round is the one that pitches former champion Lleyton Hewitt against 11th seed Stanislas Wawrinks. This should be a good match and it might make sense to lay the match finishing after three sets as this could be a long game.

Janko Tipsarevic has gone out in the first round in two of the last three years at Wimbledon and is up against fellow Serb Viktor Troicki . Troicki made the fourth round here last year and looks great value to come out on top at 9/4 (sportingbet).

It also has to be worth an interest on Carlos Berlocq who is 5/1 (bet365) to see off Milos Raonic. The Canadian has had a bad time grass this season going out in the second round at both Eastbourne and Halle. Berlocq at 5/1 looks much too big to pass up.

In each of the last three years at least one of the women’s top 10 seeds has fallen at the first hurdle at Wimbledon, while five of the top 20 were casualties at this stage last year. It might pay then to have a look around for some value in the first round. Serena Williams is the number one seed and she takes on Mandy Minella. The American has lost in the first round just once at a grand slam and never at Wimbledon. She is unlikely to fall victim to Minella who has never won a match at Wimbledon previously and this should be a procession.

Second seed Victoria Azarenka should have no problems with Wimbledon debutant Maria Joao Koehler nor should Maria Sharapova who takes on Kristina Mladenovic. I would have liked to take on Petra Kvitova who has been struggling this season but her opponent does not inspire me with confidence.

One seed who could be in danger though is number six seed Na Li who takes on Michaella Krajicek. The half-sister of former Wimbledon winner Richard reached the quarter-finals here in 2007. After a long spell off she returned to action in April winning an ITF title in Greece. Her opponent has been eliminated in the second round here the last two years and was knocked out in the French Open at the same stage this year. Kraijeck can keep this one interesting and can be backed at 10/11 (paddy Power) to win over 6.5 games which looks the way to play this.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Viktor Troicki to defeat Janko Tipsarevic, 9/4 (sportingbet)
SILVER: Carlos Berlocq to defeat Milos Raonic, 5/1 (bet365)
BRONZE: Michaella Krajicek to win over 6.5 game v Na Li, 10/11 (paddy Power)

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30/06/2013     © Frixo 2026