Right chaps, Wimbledon starts tomorrow and i think there's a bit of value to be had in taking on Rafa in his quarter of the draw. He's odds on at 10/11 to win through to the semi finals which is a hell of a short price given three or four points:
1. He's not got past the quarter finals since 2011.
2. He's focussed his entire season around winning the French - something you would think he does every year but actually, his schedule this year was intense over clay - playing all 4 warm ups before the French then winning the big one - fatigue may play a part.
3. His game is not greatly suited to grass any longer with the ball kicking on more readily than clay which places more stress on his reasonably suspect knees.
4. He's not had any warm ups on grass.
At 10/11, given those points, he looks like he's a fairly strong lay bet for me at roughly evens on Betfair (if anyone doesn't agree feel free to take my evens on the machine tonight).
Cilic is 2nd fav in that quarter but he's 4/1 and i didn't like the way he folded a bit in the Queens final. From one set up he was hammered in the first tie break before a couple of unforced errors led to him losing the final set tie breaker when he really should have been grabbing the brass ring. 4/1 seems a little short.
Kei Nishikori ((10/1) to win this quarter of the draw (i.e. reach the semi final)) looks to have a progressive profile in the event. Struggling early in his career to get to grips with grass before seemingly cracking it over the last 5 years with back to back 3rd and 4th round exits. He's performed well in his last 6 grand slams, reaching the quarters and semi's on a few occasions. He's 10/1 in a few places and looks fair value at that price. No certainty of course but a solid player who's threatening a semi final appearance and who is in the right quarter of the draw to do so.
My bets are:
Lay Nadal in his quarter of the draw @ evens
Back Nishikori to win that same quarter of the draw @10/1