We’ve reached the business end of the tennis event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and on Friday we will see the first gold medal awarded when the men’s doubles competition draws to a conclusion.
We will also know which two ladies will fight for gold and which four men will battle it out for the medals in singles competition in what is likely to be a day of drama and tension on all the courts out in Rio.
Thursday Recap
It wasn’t our day at all on Thursday. Sadly the rain on Wednesday pretty much did for our bets and completely changed the dynamic enough that they both lost. Jo Konta couldn’t get anything past Kerber while the doubles match lost in a pair of tie-breaks. Even worse we lost both men’s outrights despite David Goffin being a break up in the first set and Marin Cilic actually winning the first set.
Away from our bets there were wins for Andy Murray, albeit from a break down in the final set, and Rafael Nadal while Kei Nishikori and Juan Martin del Potro among others also came through. In the women’s draw Petra Kvitova and Monica Puig were big winners on a one sided day of action in that event.
Men’s Matches
It is quarter final day in the men’s event with all four matches being played across the day. In the top half of the draw Juan Martin del Potro takes on Roberto Bautista-Agut and Rafael Nadal plays the home hero Thomaz Bellucci and in the bottom half Gael Monfils plays Kei Nishikori and Andy Murray takes on Steve Johnson.
The Nadal and Murray matches don’t really interest me in terms of a bet. I might have been tempted by Murray but his laboured win over Fognini has me running for the hills there and I’m not keen on taking on this Brazilian crowd even though Nadal should really deal with him comfortably enough.
I’m incredibly tempted to take the overs in the Gael Monfils vs Kei Nishikori match but in the end it could just be one to sit and watch two of the best shotmakers in the game battle it out rather than bet on what is a fairly high line anyway it has to be said.
I will take over 22.5 games in the other match though. I wonder how long Juan Martin del Potro can keep going this week but now that he is within touching distance of a medal adrenaline could well get him through but he is likely to have to battle against Bautista-Agut.
These two have met once in their career and it went five sets and I would be surprised if this one doesn’t go the distance. They match up pretty well actually. Del Potro probably has the edge on the power front but the Spaniard’s movement and defence levels that up so I’m expecting close sets and probably three of them. Whichever way it goes I like over 22.5 games.
Women’s Matches
Two matches in the women’s competition. The outright bet on Madison Keys has me hoping she wins. I’m effectively on her at 8/1 to see off Angelique Kerber and if she wins she would be a favourite for the final. The other semi-final sees Petra Kvitova taking on Monica Puig.
Both these ladies have largely come through unscathed so far although Kvitova was made to work hard by Makarova a couple of rounds ago but I’ve a feeling Puig is relishing the conditions this week. She absolutely blasted Garbine Muguruza off the court earlier in the tournament and that was a result which made me take her seriously.
If Puig can tame Kvitova’s serve then we know the Czech isn’t the best mover in the world so the improving Puerto Rican can pull off a real surprise and put herself into the gold medal match with a win over the former Wimbledon champion.
Doubles
The men’s gold medal will go to either Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez or Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau while the bronze medal will head in the direction of either Jack Sock and Steve Johnson or Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil. At the time of writing there are no odds available on either match but I don’t have a major feeling either way on either of them so I’m happy to post this preview without waiting for those odds.
Tips
WON – Back J-M.del Potro vs R.Bautista-Agut – Over 22.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Skybet
Back it here:
WON – Back M.Puig to beat P.Kvitova for a 3/10 stake at 2.75 with Betfred
Back her here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016
