LOSS
WTA Rome, @ 11.30am.
£20, Roberta Vinci -1.5 games, 1.83.
First off, the average odds across the board has this as 2.10 Vinci to 1.66 Vinci. By adding in the -1.5 for Vinci we immediately give ourselves better value, 1.83. Now, the only way Vinci can lose this bet on the handicap if she wins is a 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, which is highly unlikely. Women cannot hold serve for shit generally and also buckle under pressure much more in the closing stages of sets. So I've settled for 1.83.
Onto the actual match. Vinci had a few problems in her last encounter with Burnett, but came through it in straight sets nevertheless. She's lost two out of her last 11 matches on clay and I think more good performances will come. Halep has a decent enough clay record of late, but she has played those ranked well down the pecking order. The class of Vinci should come through in straight sets here, possibly around the 6-4, 6-3 mark.
ANALYSIS
What an amazing performance from the person I backed against! Is it too early to suggest that Halep could go up the rankings quite swiftly in the next few months? I'm not so sure it's a no. Vinci wasn't brilliant, but she dug in and did what she could, but Halep looked in complete control. She has a lovely variety of shots, a good solid serve, doesn't buckle under pressure and appears to have fitness in masses. A terrific performance.
WTA Rome, @ 11.30am.
£20, Roberta Vinci -1.5 games, 1.83.
First off, the average odds across the board has this as 2.10 Vinci to 1.66 Vinci. By adding in the -1.5 for Vinci we immediately give ourselves better value, 1.83. Now, the only way Vinci can lose this bet on the handicap if she wins is a 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, which is highly unlikely. Women cannot hold serve for shit generally and also buckle under pressure much more in the closing stages of sets. So I've settled for 1.83.
Onto the actual match. Vinci had a few problems in her last encounter with Burnett, but came through it in straight sets nevertheless. She's lost two out of her last 11 matches on clay and I think more good performances will come. Halep has a decent enough clay record of late, but she has played those ranked well down the pecking order. The class of Vinci should come through in straight sets here, possibly around the 6-4, 6-3 mark.
ANALYSIS