Australian Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 21 January 2010 /

Ben Caudell looks at Maria Kirilenko's tussle with Roberta Vinci and Gael Monfils' match-up with American giant John Isner

John Isner (USA) v Gael Monfils (FRA)
Earlier this week, 6ft 9 American John Isner moved up the world rankings to career high of 28 after recording his maiden tournament win, the Heineken Open which was held in Auckland, New Zealand last week. Having already won through two rounds at this year's Australian Open, another career first, the lanky American will fancy his chances against the enigmatic, showman that is Gael Monfils. Their head-to-head reads 2-1 in favour of Isner, all three matches were played on the American hard courts and all three matches went the full distance.
Today's match however is being played on the slower Australian Open hard courts which will suit Monfils more than Isner, who at times relies solely on his one big weapon, his serve. Like Ivo Karlovic, the 24-year-old American lacks any consistency from the back of the court, without his serve Isner would be ranked outside the top 100 and possibly even 200, in the world.
Monfils, a player who has the talent and ability to challenge the top five in the rankings but has a lack of mental discipline, will have to concentrate all his focus on trying to break the big man's serve and not allow his frustrations to get the better of him.
The Frenchman has made it past the third round of his last five Grand Slam tournaments, whereas Isner has made it past the same round only once in his career, at last year's US Open.
The Frenchman is a crowd pleaser and will do all he can to get the fans cheering for him, I expect this to be extremely close match with the possibility of five sets being played. If this is the case, Monfils, who has had two comfortable straight set wins in the earlier rounds and less matches played in the lead-up to this event, will no doubt be the fresher and fitter of the two.
Selection: Back Gael Monfils @ [1.5] to win match
Back over 43.5 games @ approx [2.5]

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) v Roberta Vinci (ITA)
Russian starlet Kirilenko, conqueror of Maria Sharapova in the first round, will be looking forward to a possible showdown with another Russian star, Dinara Safina in the last 16. But first she will have to dispatch of a tricky customer in Roberta Vinci.
The Italian is still to drop a set at this year's Australian Open, is currently 7-3 in all matches and boasts a 6-4 win record on the hard-courts. Although often tenacious in her on court game, relying heavily on her opponent's mistakes, Vinci is still to make the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament having lost three times in her previous attempts.
This is a close match that could go either way, however I have to go with the confident Russian who at this rate can provide a tough challenge for any player at this year's Open.
Selection: Back Maria Kirilenko @ [1.45] to win match

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