By Hayley O’Connor of Ladbrokes Ireland
It’s not ‘just another manic Monday’ – it is Wimbledon’s Manic Monday, which means 16 fourth round matches will be played.
Novak Djokovic’s downfall has left the men’s title open, and Murray’s been promoted to the 10/11 favourite. Surely not!
While Andy can be a bit bland as far as sporting personalities go, his opponent today, 21-year-old Nick Kyrgios is anything but, and it’s bound to be a sparky centre court clash.
The ‘Marmite’ Australian is the outsider at 4/1, but if he can channel his aggression is a controlled way, I believe he’ll outplay his odds. Pressure won’t be an issue, this is the same kid that beat Rafael Nadal on Centre Court at only 19.
In fact, he’s a natural showman and court thrive on the attention. While Murray is one of the best returners in the game, Kyrgios’s serve will put that to the test, having a tally 79 aces in the tournament so far. I’m going to take a chance and take the 5/2 he’ll win the first set.
Before then however, Centre Court will be graced by the magnificent Roger Federer, who is stepping out to face American Steve Johnson. The odds for this match are the same, Federer, like Murray is 1/6 and Johnson is available at 4/1, only in this case, I won’t be saying a bad word about the favourite and will tip him now, as I have done, to win the men’s title.
Hoping to make her first Wimbledon quarter final since 2010, 36 year old Venus Williams will take on Carla Suarez Novarro. Carla really has Venus to thank for getting he career off the blocks as she came to the attention of the press beating Venus in the 2009 Australian Open.
Venus definitely hasn’t sailed through her All-England Club campaign so far and I’d be concerned that those hard fought matches will catch up with her today, on what will be her toughest test yet. I’ll oppose her by backing the Spaniard, who’s priced about 11/10.
It will be Russia versus the United States this Independence Day when Serena Williams faces Svetlana Kuznetsova. The Russian has beaten the World number one on 3 occasions, but I doubt if she’ll get the upper-hand this afternoon.
I’ve done well backing some outsiders at Wimbledon so far, and I hope strong performances from Kyrgios and Novarro will keep the cash coming, but more than anything, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that Federer has a safe passage to what could be the final destination of his career – the men’s finals.
Happy manic Monday and hopefully we’re headed for a terrific, not terrible Tuesday.
