Wimbledon Betting / Ben Caudell / 23 June 2009 /

On day two at SW19, Ben Caudell likes the look of a young Bulgarian with more than a hint of the Swiss master about his game...

I don't want to tempt fate but all the signs point to good weather for the rest of the tournament. So we'll have to wait and see if the new centre court roof gets its chance to prove that it was money well spent!

Yesterday we witnessed the new No.2 court in all its glory as the public got a glimpse of the future of British tennis. Laura Robson, the 15 year-old prodigy who last year won the junior title, did no harm in her pursuit to become a world beater showing fearless qualities and great technique for such a young player as she took former quarter-finalist Daniela Hantuchova to three sets.

Today's Selections:

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) v Igor Kunitsyn (RUS)
The much talked about Grigor Dimitrov embarks on his first ever men's Grand Slam singles event today at the age of just 18-years-old, against the 39th ranked player in the world, Russian Igor Kunitsyn.

Dimitrov who turned pro in 2008 after an illustrious junior career made himself known amongst his fellow professionals when he was awarded a wildcard into the main draw of the 2009 ABN AMRO World tennis tournament. In the first round he defeated world number 23 Tomas Berdych 4-6 6-3 6-4. In the second round he came up against world number one Rafael Nadal and pushed the Spaniard all the way before losing 7-5 3-6 6-2, most recently the Bulgarian lost to Gilles Simon in the second round of the Queens club championship in a match that was fought over two tie break sets.

After winning the 2008 Junior Wimbledon Championship without dropping a set, despite playing with a shoulder injury, he was awarded his wildcard entry into the main draw at this year's championship. Many players have likened Dimitrov's style of play to Roger Federer's. He is a proficient volleyer who doesn't avoid net play, a solid baseliner with a forehand that is a complete copy of the Swiss master. His service motion, also in the manner of Federer, is smooth and efficient - in fact there's not a lot wrong with the Bulgarian's game other than his height that can at times disrupt his movement around the court. I can see this being the start of a magnificent career for the Bulgarian against a player whose recent record leaves much to be desired (2-8)

Selection: Back Grigor Dimitrov @ [1.7] to win match

Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) v Sabin Lisicki (GER)
German teenage starlet, Sabine Lisicki has had a magnificent 2009 season to date culminating in winning her first Premier event, the Charleston clay court tournament, back in April. She has wins over Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, and Marion Bartoli to her name and her favoured surface is clay. Her only match this year on the grass was a loss against Samantha Stosur at the Eastbourne Open 6-2 6-1. In 2008 Lisicki lost 3/3 matches on Grass and is currently 1-5 since 2005. This surely highlights the fact that the German doesn't seem at home when it comes to playing on grass, similar to players such as Svetlana Kuznetsova who openly admit that they don't know how to play on the low bouncing faster court surface.

Anna Chakvetadze has had mixed fortunes this year losing in the first round of the French Open (Mariana Duque Marino) and the second round of the Australian Open (Jelena Dokic) her ranking has slipped from a high of five in the world to a mediocre 31 coming into Wimbledon. Last week she defeated Jelena Jankovic in three sets and showed better mental strength than she has done in the past, she reached the last 16 at last year's event and will be looking to break back into the top 20 if her form improves. This match could be the stepping stone needed to launch her back into the limelight. Defeat will push her further away.

Selection: Back Anna Chakvetadze @ [1.6] to win match

Best Bet: Back Grigor Dimitrov @ [1.7] to win match against Igor Kunitsyn (men's draw)

For the latest Wimbledon news keep checking out the Wimbledon page on betting.betfair

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