Events / Ben Caudell / 31 March 2009 /

Ben Caudell has another pair of tennis tips, can he keep up the stunning success rate?

It was another strong performance for this column yesterday, with two victorious selections.

I suggested that Venus Williams would start off sluggishly and my tip to back her opponent Agnieszka Radwanska at [7.0] or higher at the start of the match and then lay off at a shorter price proved to be a winner. Radwanska actually drifted to a mouth-watering [9.0] before the off, but didn't disappoint those looking to trade her price after winning the first set 6-4. She shortened to around [3.6] before Venus sprung into life. The American hit 11 aces in total, and cruised through the second set 6-1 and eventually took the match 4-6 6-1 6-4.

My other tip of the day, Iveta Benesova, or as a colleague describes her 'the girl with the perfect teeth' is peaking at the right time. She has recorded her best ever Premier tournament by reaching the quarter-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open, dismantling Anabel Medina Garrigues in the last-16, 6-4 6-1. The young Czech will have nothing to lose against Venus in the next round, has valuable momentum and could spring a surprise. A decent performance could signal the start of a fabulous 2009 for her.

Current bet success rate = 70%


Today's Selections:

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)
Wozniacki registered one of her best ever wins yesterday by defeating number four seed Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-4. The Danish teenager now meets Kuznetsova in a quarter-final match-up, which on previous occasions would have had the Russian priced up as odds-on favourite. But Kuznetsova has had a ragged time of late with first round defeats against Urszula Radwanska and Elena Vesnina. Although serving well this week, I find it hard to back the Russian as hits an alarming number of un-forced errors. The Dane is a solid returner and unlike Kuznetsova, manages to hold herself together when the chips are down. Expect a close encounter with the spritely Dane the eventual winner.
Selection: Back Caroline Wozniacki @ [1.9] to win match


Radek Stepanek (CZE) v Fernando Verdasco (SPA)
Fernando Verdasco had a tough match against compatriot Feliciano Lopez late last night, he struggled to break his opponent's serve, winning only 3/10 break points but, as per usual, managed to hit a consistent 75% of first serves. He now faces the awkward Radek Stepanek, who has a 3-1 head-to-head over the Spaniard. Verdasco decimated the Czech on their last outing losing only four games at the Australian Open earlier this year. The Spaniard has won 12 of his last 15 matches, with his only losses coming against the world number one Rafael Nadal and number two Roger Federer. This should be a straight forward win for Verdasco and if he continues to serve at high percentages there can be only man progressing through to the next round.
Selection: Back Verdasco @ [1.55] to win match

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