Wimbledon: Tournament Hots Up in Final Week

After a well-earned break for all yesterday, Wimbledon swings back into action today and looks likely to serve up a few cracking games in the Men’s tournament. Here’s a preview of the betting on a selection of todays games;

Richard Gasquet (8) v Andy Murray (12)

All eyes will be on Andy Murray today as he attempts to make it to the quarter finals of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. Standing in his way is 2007 semi-finalist Richard Gasquet. Murray has been hugely impressive in week one at the All England Club and if he can take that form into the game against the baseliner he should have enough in his locker to see off the Frenchman.

Murraymania hasn’t quite reached the euphoria that Tim Henman induced back in the day but Gasquet will feel like he’s been thrown to the lions a bit on Centre Court today. Murray claims to use the crowds energy to give him that extra yard and that might just be the difference today. Gasquet himself has a point to prove and won’t be no walkover. He’s had a disappointing year but knows what it takes to go deep into Grand Slams as proven by last year’s performance

Like John McEnroe, however I think Murray will win to set up a quarter final with Rafael Nadal. Gasquet is likely to push him all the way in an epic clash but Murray can take it in the fifth.

• Andy Murray to win 3-2 (11/2 Bet365)

Roger Federer (1) v Lleyton Hewitt (20)

There’s little value to be had in backing Roger Federer at Wimbledon these days. Following three impressive wins so far he’s just not backable at 1/20 (Centrebet, William Hill) to beat Lleyton Hewitt. Sure the champion is expected to win it comfortably so it’s a license to print money but at such a short price it’s hardy worth the effort.

Federer has yet to drop a set so far and is 9/20 (Centrebet) to do so again today. That’s very tempting but you’d have to think that Federer will drop a set or two on the way to the final and today might be the day against the former champion.

Going on the basis that anything other than a Federer win would be a major shock, the 1/8 (Ladbrokes) on Federer to win the first set and then go on to win the match might be the best value to be had on the match.

• Federer to win first set and win match (1/8 Ladbrokes)

Marat Safin v Stanislas Wawrinka (13)

Marat Safin turned back the clock somewhat last week to defeat two seeded player and secure his place in the last 16 at SW19. His three sets to one win over 29th seed Andreas Seppi was just as impressive as his toppling of 3rd seed Novak Djokovic the round earlier. But things don’t get any easier for the Russian as he faces Swiss star Stanislas Wawrinka today.

Wawrinka has quietly gone about his business in the last week, winning his games without dropping a set. He’s used to be relatively unnoticed, playing in the hige shadow cast by fellow countryman, Roger Federer. But the 23 year old is 9th in the world on merit and is one to watch this week.

Safin has exceeded expectations so far but I can’t help but think he’s peaked at this season’s tournament and Wawrinka is in good form to bring the Russian’s form to an end. I’m going for a Wawrinka win.

• Stanislas Wawrinka to win (21/20 BetUK, Sportingbet)

Mikhail Youzhny (17) v Rafael Nadal (2)

Since the beginning of the French Open Rafael Nadal has been like a man possessed. He did of course go on to win at Roland Garros and followed that up with a win at Queens to cement his credentials of a serious challenger to Federer’s crown at Wimbledon this year. His early performances here have done nothing to suggest that he isn’t capable of wrestling the title from the Swiss. Today he faces Russian Mikhail Louzhny, who will ask a few questions of the Spaniard but doesn’t have enough ability to cause an upset.

Louzhny has had a decent tournament so far but has had to endure two five-setters. He saw off Radek Stepanek in Round 3 but Nadal is at another level.

Nadal is just 1/10 to win – too short to get involved. I like the look of the 3-1 win though as Youzhny looks capable of taking one off the Spaniard, perhaps in a tie-break.

• Nadal to win 3-1 (3/1 Coral, VCBet)

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