Sport is made for betting

Here's an article I wrote for betting.betfair Australia, previewing the Friday-Sunday schedule at the Australian Open, so it was written before the second men's semi. Exclusive expert Australian Open preview Still haven't decided what I'll do with my Federer position, let it ride or hedge it. Took 4 at Boyles, Murray now available at 2.5, should probably take my stake back as I do think Muzza can beat him. The other time they met in a Slam final, I stuck with Murray and did my dough...

Just eight players left now in each event, so I thought it's a nice time to give an update. Men Federer - the obvious favourite, and in awesome form. He just toyed with Hewitt and hasn't lost a set since R1. Best asset is he knows what to do at this end of a tournament. Davydenko - wobbled against Verdasco, led 2-0 and then had a mini-break in the fourth set breaker, before winning in five sets, having given his backers at 1.05 many grey hairs. Has beaten Federer in their last two clashes, after being 0-12 before November. But how will he go over the best of five sets, and with much more at stake? Djokovic - a bit wayward against Chiudinelli, but otherwise solid. Record is 2-4 v Tsonga, winning their first clash (AO final 08) and Miami last year. He hit a bit of a flat spot in between, the effects of an overloaded schedule and changing racquet brand - I think he is back close to his peak now. Tsonga - only scraped through against Almagro, almost throwing away a 2-0 lead. His ta...

The real betting action of the year starts Down Under on Monday, with the Australian Open in Melbourne. For the best part of a decade I have been writing betting previews for the Grand Slams, and in recent years, they've been published on PuntingAce. Click here for the men's tournament preview, and here for the women's event. And if you want to see a history of previous articles and tips - click here .

This was written yesterday for PuntingAce but due to timezones etc, they are yet to publish it. Please forgive what looks to be aftertiming on Bartoli.... AO Halfway Update WOMEN The women's draw has been the one most affected by upsets with the lines around Ivanovic and Venus Williams falling away significantly. In the top half, Jankovic hasn't hit top gear yet, she made hard work of beating an ailing Sugiyama and has tricky opponents from here on in. Versus Bartoli her record is 3-3, Zvonareva 6-4 and Petrova 6-2 - all players capable of beating her on any given day. The main threat in the quarter for me is Zvonareva. She has been in fantastic form since late last year, but needs to overcome a 1-5 record vs Petrova first. On top of her domination in the singles, her doubles form has been top notch as well (with Azarenka). Petrova is in her best form a while as well. Anyone can win that quarter. Safina looked very rusty in the opening rounds but returned to something like her ...

Tommy Haas won his first round match in straight sets, but his opponent Schwank was rumoured to be just turning up for the money with no preparation. Haas himself was first-up since August and could be tested if stretched to five sets. Tonight he plays Flavio Cipolla who has been flying, winning 8 of 9 matches this year. Definite value in the outsider at 3/1 and above. In the women, I'm a big fan of Sabine Lisicki, and she faces local hope Sam Stosur who is over-rated. Take anything better than 5/4 for the young German, she's top 20 bound this year.

I've been disappointed by the lack of value in the Aus Open matches so far. So many lacklustre betting contests with very little to get excited about. Tonight I've gone for something different. I give a couple of underdogs in the men's a chance to at least take it to the seeded favourite and stretch the match out. So I've bought games at SportsAcumen, looking for a four-setter at least, or some tiebreaks. Buy games at 31 Berdych v Dabul. 6-1 6-1 6-3 (23) -8 Buy games at 32 Nalbandian v Lu. 6-4 5-7 4-6 6-4 6-2 (50) +18 Worst case scenario is a triple bagle totally just 18 games. The upside is if there was another contest like that 16-14 Muller v Lopez match on Monday.. can only dream though! The prices are usually in favour of the sellers in these markets, so I'm a bit wary. I'm not a natural spread bettor, it's very tiny in the Australian betting industry, so tonight is just a dabble.

You may have come across my Grand Slam tennis previews before, I've written them on various sites since about 2000. You can find the full articles here Here are a couple of snippets: Australian Open 2009 Men's Draw The king has been deposed, the reigning champion oddly chose to take the cash and change racquets, a Brit is second favourite to win a Slam title and we have the most open market here in years. We all know the history of this event dishing up first-time winners or finalists, do we go for a shock again, or will undeniable class prevail? Seeds: Men 1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) top ranked with Grand Slam titles to his name, but yet to reach a final in the hardcourt events. Reached the semi here last year but didn't beat anyone inside the top 25 to get there. Hardcourt doesn't suit him his knees have chronic problems already, his slices and spins aren't as effective as on the natural surfaces and he can get blown away by the big guns such as Gonzalez and Tsonga (con...