Roger Federer and Fernando Gonzalez are favourites to make the French Open Final

A 2007 Australian Open Final repeat could be on the cards

Over the course of the last 14 Grand Slams there has only been one final that has occurred more than once - with Roger Federer facing Rafael Nadal seven times in that period. However, the bookmakers make Federer and Fernando Gonzalez favourites to win their semi-finals and set up a repeat of the 2007 Australian Open Final. Here are all the key stats about today’s matches:

Click here to check out the Ladbrokes’ French Open Wizard

Robin Soderling v Fernando Gonzalez
Soderling has taken care of David Ferrer, Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko to get this far but now has to conquer Gonzalez, who he has lost four straight clashes with, two of which were on clay. Over the last three years, every men’s semi-final at Roland Garros has been won by the player who won the pair’s previous meeting. Both men have had sensational tournaments so far, with Soderling dropping just two sets and Gonzalez one so it should be close. The Chilean is a worthy favourite though having excelled in his only other Grand Slam semi (Australian Open 2007), beating Tommy Haas 6-1 6-3 6-1.

Posted: June 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Ferrer is a generous 2.44 to overcome Cilic in round three

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The first men’s seed-versus-seed encounter of this year’s Australian Open takes place tonight and surprisingly it’s the higher seed David Ferrer (2.44) who starts as the outsider against Croatia’s Marin Cilic [1.69]:

» Ferrer has reached round four at the last three Australian Opens and was eliminated by eventual winner Novak Djokovic in last year’s quarter-finals.

» The Spaniard struggled through the first round but found his rhythm in round two, easing past two-time quarter-finalist Dominik Hrbaty 6-2 6-2 6-1.

» Spooky coincidence alert! Ferrer was eleventh seed in 2006 when he faced a Croatian, Mario Ancic, in the third round and triumphed in straight sets.

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Posted: January 22nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

The clash of the Andys should be decided in straight sets

Murray/Roddick, 12pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Some Masters Cup debutants turn up and play without fear but many others fold and spectacularly blow their chance of claiming the $4.45 million prize. This afternoon will provide the first indication of which camp Andy Murray falls into as he faces tournament veteran Andy Roddick. Victory for Murray isn’t as certain as his general 4/11 odds imply but there is very little chance of a third set taking place. Here’s why:

Good signs for Murray

Murray boasts a 4-2 record over Roddick in general and is 3-2 against him on hard courts.

The Scot has won fourteen of his fifteen matches since losing to Roger Federer in the US Open final.

Murray lost his last match to David Nalbandian in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters but hasn’t lost consecutive matches since April.

But why Roddick shouldn’t be written off

Posted: November 10th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment