Thursday in Marseilles

Thursday in Marseilles brings an exciting couple of matches, and none more so than my favourite player Mika Llodra taking on defending champ and the man of the moment, Juan Martin Del Potro - The Tower of Tandil. This is a repeat of last year's final here in Marseilles, which Del Potro won in straights, but that was a final, and this is the first match of this tournament for Delpo, and, quite frankly, I'm not sure he is up for the fight. Llodra finally got a win over Delpo the last time they met back in Bercy in October, and I think he will get a second victory here. Llodra lives for this tournament. It is his Olympics. It is in his backyard and he has won or been runner up for the last three years if I'm not mistaken. I think Del Potro has to be a little tired from his exploits in Rotterdam, where he won the title playing some excellent tennis along the way. It is interesting that Llodra pulled out of Rotterdam to focus on this tournament. The fact that 5/2 are the best odds you will find on the French man tells you all you need to know. There is every chance he will get the win. Del Potro's biggest weakness, and what seperates him most from the top 4, is his movement and in particular, his lateral movement. Llodra is the man to expose that with his clever serves and telling volleys. I am not for one second saying that Llodra is a better player than Del Potro - he isn't. But the conditions and circumstances here are conducive for a Llodra win and I am recommending the best serve & volley player of all time to get the win, probably in straight sets if you want to be a little adventurous.

The other match in Marseilles tomorrow which grabs my attention is Benneteau v Janowicz. This is being priced at even money for the pair. I think that is wong. In my opinion, Jerzy Janowicz is a glorified Challenger Tour player. He had one good tournament in Bercy last year when all the rest of the top players were tanking to get to London early for the world tour finals. This is a different story in the south of Fance where Julien Benneteau, obviously in great form, will be hungry and motivated for another shot at a title. He made the final here a few years ago, losing to Llodra in straights, but I think his first round match will have gotten him into the groove here after Rotterdam, and, provided he is recovered, he has far far too much game for Jerzy Janowicz. Take Bennetau at even money on the exchanges.

Because nothing is grabbing my attention in Buenos Aires (apart from the 6/4 on offer for Montanes to beat Delbonis - take that), I am having a quick look at a few matches in Memphis. Istomin will beat Hewitt again, but he is priced too short at under 1.60 so I won't be tipping that one.The main bet in Memphis should be Lucasz Kubot to beat Michael Russell at 1.83 on the exchanges. This shouldn't be too close. Kubot is a nice player, solid groundies and a great serve and volley. Russell is very average and lives his tennis life pretty much in the qualies of every tournament. Take Kubot with quite a bit to spare at 1.83.

Recommended bets:

Llodra to beat Del Potro @ 3.50
Benneteau to beat Janowicz @ 2.00
Kubot to beat Russell @ 1.83