The Aegon Championships finally really got going on Tuesday when most of the first round was completed on another day where the weather threatened to be un-cooperative but in the end relented enough for the large crowds to enjoy some decent tennis.
If the weather continues to play nicely then the first round will conclude on Wednesday and the second round will begin but with the tournament still behind schedule there are only five singles matches on the order of play on Wednesday.
Tuesday recap
It wasn’t just the crowds who enjoyed Tuesday’s tennis. Followers of our bets most certainly did as Fernando Verdasco dealt with Stan Wawrinka in straight sets for the biggest upset of the tournament so far while Roberto Bautista-Agut came past former champion Sam Querrey in three tie breaks to land that punt.
If that wasn’t enough Bernard Tomic proved too good for Kevin Anderson once again, easing past the South African in straight sets and Monday’s bet which was held over to Tuesday also won as Marin Cilic saw off Feliciano Lopez in three sets so all four bets that were settled on Tuesday won!
Away from our bets Andy Murray came through against Nicolas Mahut in an entertaining match. He won 76 76 and it was one set all in the big match between Nick Kyrgios and Milos Raonic when darkness fell.
Brit watch would have seen a win for Aljaz Bedene to set up a clash with Andy Murray on Thursday but James Ward was well beaten by Gilles Muller. Janko Tipsarevic continued Grigor Dimitrov’s demise by sending him packing on one of the outside courts too.
Wednesday – Centre Court
The schedule for centre court on Wednesday sees the first round matches between Kyle Edmund and Gilles Simon and John Isner against Juan Martin del Potro. In between that Raonic and Kyrgios will finish up. The final match of the day sees Marin Cilic taking on Janko Tipsarevic for a place in the quarter final.
The only match I’m interested in from a betting point of view here is the first game up as Kyle Edmund will look to continue his improvement with the help of the home crowd when he takes on a flattering to deceive Gilles Simon. Simon has had some results on grass but not too many of them and while he plays a solid game I fancy he might be susceptible here.
Kyle Edmund has a nice game for grass in that he has a solid serve and a booming forehand and if he can get that into play he’ll soon have the crowd going and then this could become a tricky afternoon for the Frenchman.
If you pushed me I’d pick Simon to come through here but I don’t think that will happen before Edmund has won a set and that set can ensure the British player keeps within the handicap.
Wednesday – Outside Courts
There are only two matches able to be played on the outside courts. We have the first round clash between Dan Evans and Paul-Henri Mathieu before Steve Johnson meets Adrian Mannarino in the second round. It is that second match that I’m most interested in.
It took Steve Johnson a while to get going against Richard Gasquet but when he was up to speed he powered past the Frenchman and I fancy the same can happen here. Johnson served well in the main when he was at full pelt in the previous round and he was cracking that forehand nicely.
I fancy Mannarino could get overpowered here. He hasn’t got a serve to push Johnson back and at some point in the rallies the American will get the ball on that forehand and I don’t see how Mannarino turns it around when he does.
I was impressed with Johnson on Monday and given that he’s had a day off without being at the grounds worrying about the rain he should be mentally fresher of the two here and as such he looks overpriced at around the 7/5 mark.
Tips
WON – Back K.Edmund (+3.5 games) to beat G.Simon for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Bet365
Back him here:
WON – Back S.Johnson to beat A.Mannarino for a 4/10 stake at 2.40 with NetBet
Back him here:
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