"19", "name" => "Tennis", "category" => "General", "path" => "/var/www/vhosts/betting.betfair.com/httpdocs/tennis/", "url" => "https://betting.betfair.com/tennis/", "title" => "Tennis Betting: For better or worse - top six predictions for 2010 : General : Tennis", "desc" => "Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have dominated the Grand Slams for years but 2010 will be different. Now, it's not just about those two; the strength in depth on the tour is improving all the time. Simon Mundie discusses whether...", "keywords" => "Nikolay Davydenko, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, Novak Djokovic, Tennis betting odds, Australian Open tennis betting odds, Simon Mundie, ", "robots" => "index,follow" ); $category_sid = "sid=4015"; ?>

Tennis Betting: For better or worse - top six predictions for 2010

General RSS / / 12 January 2010 /

" class="free_bet_btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">
General

"Provided he avoids a red hot power hitter, Murray has the tools to go all the way at any slam besides the French. With Federer and Nadal slipping, I see this being his best year yet."

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have dominated the Grand Slams for years but 2010 will be different. Now, it's not just about those two; the strength in depth on the tour is improving all the time. Simon Mundie discusses whether the top six players in the world can expect a better or worse year...

Roger Federer

After appearing in 17 of the last 18 major finals and all four in 2009, Federer ([3.9] to win the Australian) expects to add to his Grand Slam tally this year. He hasn't won down under since 2007 however, and was close to defeat in the early rounds in both 2008 and 2009 to Tipsarevic and Berdych respectively. Furthermore, he finished last season in unconvincing fashion, losing at the O2 to both Del Potro and Davydenko. Could this be the year when his Grand Slam semi-final streak is finally broken? I expect a solitary Grand Slam victory in 2010 [2.82], on the lawns of SW19, and the loss of his number one ranking.

Verdict: worse


Rafael Nadal

The defending champion hasn't won a title since Rome in May of last year, and endured a miserable second half of the season by his own lofty standards. Nadal has reportedly lost 12 pounds of muscle, and it remains to be seen how that will affect his powers of endurance which proved so crucial in winning the Australian title 12 months ago. He has had a reasonable start to the season so far though, looking close to his best despite squandering match points against Davydenko in Doha. Anything more than a win at Roland Garros would be a surprise though, and even that will be a stretch. I predict no Grand Slam wins for Nadal in 2010 [2.5], and a drop outside of the top two.

Verdict: worse


Novak Djokovic

The Serbinator will fancy adding to his sole Grand Slam success this year, and what better place to do it than Australia where he triumphed in 2008. Djokovic ([8.4] to win the Australian) was the tour's best player after the US Open, winning three titles and beating Federer and Nadal in the process. Adding Todd Martin to his coaching set up has proved a shrewd move, and his focus will now certainly be the slams. In my mind he's the favourite for the Australian Open, and a real contender at the French and the US (Djokovic is [5.5] to win two slams in 2010). He could be the year end number one.

Verdict: better


Andy Murray

The pressure is mounting for the Scot, and many believe if he doesn't win a slam this year, he never will. While question marks still hang over his tactics, at least he won't have to shoulder the pressure of being favourite to win down under as he was last year. That should help Murray ([7.4] to win the Australian), and provided he avoids a red hot power hitter, he has the tools to go all the way at any slam besides the French. With Federer and Nadal slipping, I see this being his best year yet. I predict a year end ranking of three [1.55], along with a maiden slam win [2.2].

Verdict: better


Juan Martin Del Potro

The first man to beat Federer and Nadal in a Grand Slam event struggled with the pressure of winning his first Grand Slam title after the US Open. It reminds me of the difficulties Pete Sampras had after he won his first major in 1990, and the American struggled for the whole of the following season. I foresee wins at Masters level and below ahead of a big push in 2011, although I doubt Del Potro ([7.8] to win the Australian) will be a force at the slams until the second half of the season, and even then he won't add to his tally this year. A season end ranking ouside the top 5 and no slams.

Verdict: worse


Nikolay Davydenko

The Russian scored his first win over Federer at the O2 in 2009, and the significance of that victory shouldn't be underestimated. With the belief that he can beat any player on tour, Davydenko ([15.0] to win the Australian) may win his first slam this year. Australia does tend to throw up 'one-slam wonders' and another one is due- the Russian could be that man. I predict him to be winner of either the Australian open or the French (he is [5.0] to win a slam in 2010) and a season end ranking of five.

Verdict: better

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>