This Week in Tennis – 10/22

We had three winners at three tourneys last week all in Europe. In Russia, Seppi bet Bellucci in 3 sets. In Austria it was Potro taking out Zemlja in straights and in Sweden Berdych beat Tsonga in 3. This week we are on clay in Valencia and on Carpet in Basel… two surfaces that couldn’t be more different. On clay it’s all about consistency and rolling topspin. On carpet you can just flick your wrist and direct the ball, and attack. Personally I prefer the two extremes even though they are really totally different sports. Hard courts are the great equalizer and are a “Happy middle ground”. Players that don’t respect the clay will lose. Players that stay on the baseline on carpet will lose also. Every player must adjust their game to certain surfaces. Federer won Basel last year, because fast indoor courts are great for old men with “good hands.”

The guys that went to Spain are grinders, and like to slug the ball. That why Granollers won last year. One surface needs patience, the other the points are very quick. On the poker table it makes you that much more dangerous if you can play both fast and slow. The same applies in tennis. This week the guys that will choose Valencia rely on the ground game. One exception is John Isner, who is trying to work on his groundies and plays pretty well on clay. The guys in Basel are more big servers, and guys that like quick points. It’s too bad that more players don’t volley well anymore. That is one of Federer’s specialties, and that I why he won last year and should win again this year.

This is the homestretch in tennis. The Paris Masters are next week followed by the Year end championships after that. We want to get your week off to a fast start, so call up America’s Bookie today and bet Kohlschreiber -180 over Dodig, so you will have money to bet the Lions + 6.5 tonight.