Monte Carlo finals

This betting tip comes from the Monte Carlo finals, between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic survived yet another tough challenge from Tomas Berdych yesterday, after losing first set, but eventually putting himself together to get through to the finals in three sets. He did not look in his best shape, specially in the first part of the match, given the windy conditions.

Nadal on the other hand beat an in-form Simon in a much more spectacular match, in two sets, 6-3 6-4, no surprise from the man holding seven consecutive titles here in Monte Carlo. On clay, Nadal leads Djokovic 8-2, with only the last two meetings won by the serb. Todays prediction is not in the category of banker bets. I am choosing it because this is one of those matches were history is being made. Nadal has the chance to win his 8th title here. While at such high level an outcome is hard to predict, I fancy Nadal as the clay master and more composed in his game this week than Djokovic.

Prediction: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic: Rafael Nadal -1.5 @1.83 - bet365

ATP Delray Beach finals

This betting tip comes from ATP Delray Beach ATP tournament and the match between Kevin Aderson (#36) and Marinko Matosevic (#173). 
Marinko Matosevic takes on his first ATP tour level final after coming from the qualifying round taking out opponents such as Ivo Karlovic, Alex Bogomolov Jr., Ernests Gulbis and Dudi Sela.
Kevin Anderson in turn eliminated Austin Krajcek, Xavier Malisse, Andy Roddick and top seed John Isner whom he also topped on the number of aces serverd during the match.
The two players only met once, in Baton Rouge Chanllenger, back in 2010, when Matosevic retired at 2-6, 7-5, 6-6. Matosevic's last three games on this tournament ended up in three sets and after the last game against Dudi Sela (5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (6)),  he stated that he's feeling tired and had been fighting cramps, however his capacity to recover and fight might be very well on his side during today's final.
The statistics and conditions favor Anderson in this match and he is my choice for winning the final.

Prediction: Kevin Anderson to beat Marinko Matosevic @ 1.22 - bet365.

ATP Memphis, Round 2

This pick comes from ATP Memphis, Round 2. The banker bet of the day is:

John Isner (13) to beat Donald Young (41) @ 1.17 - Stan James.

Isner has been in very good form and he's also very good on hard courts. He probably got a boost in moral after beating world no 3, Roger Federer in the Davis Cup, even though we haven't seen the best of Federer in that match. John Isner's record agains Donald Young is positive, 2 - 0, with their last game dating back in 2009, where they met in the finals in Tallahassee, USA. Being the top seed in this tournament for the second time in his career, after Newport in 2011, which he won, backing Isner in the early rounds is a good strategy.

For more statistics and match previews, see also the home site of the ATP World Tour, with the Thursday briefing.

Banker bets

I thought I'd try something new and have a period of time a closer look at the so called "banker bets", backing big favorites to win. It is probably a strategy that does not bring spectacular returns, but if the events are chosen well, it can provide consistency and winning constantly is good. So here goes:

 ATP Buenos Aires

Nicolas Almagro (11) to beat Federico Del Bonis (150) @ 1.25 - bet365.

ATP Marseille

Mardy Fish (8) to beat Albano Olivetti (388) @ 1.17 - Ladbrokers.

Good luck!