Tuesday tennis from GoalWin

Fabio Fognini v Martin Vassallo Arguello

It's fair to say neither of these players is as the top of his game, with Fognini not having won since October (six losses since) and Vassallo Arguello having won two of his last 18. Clay is the best surface for both them, with all their respective titles in lower ranks being achieved on the dirt.

Fognini reached the semis in Stuttgart last year and claimed scalps such as Almagro, Cilic and Davydenko during 2009. Possibly his best match and the one which gained him more attention was his loss to Murray to Monte Carlo where he really stretched the Brit.

Vassallo Arguello has been going through the motions for months, it's a wonder he hasn't retired yet. Perhaps he's holding out until he turns 30 tomorrow. I doubt this match will make it a happier celebration for him. Last week he retired with a rolled ankle in Santiago, which won't help his causes in a match I think he would have lost anyway.



Fognini has been training in Barcelona since losing early in Melbourne, and will be keen to return to matches on the clay.

Bet Fognini at 1.57 at GoalWin

weekend football preview from GoalWin

This is a key London derby, the result of which could have a big say in the title race. Chelsea (1.85 at GoalWin) currently sit a couple of points clear of Man Utd and six clear of Arsenal, so are currently in the driving seat. This is a big game, especially for Arsenal (4.65 on GoalWin )who simply can't afford a defeat here or they’ll be surely ruled out of the title race. The problem is that the Gunners have really struggled in these key H2H matches this season and when they play the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd you get the feeling of a men vs. boys match. They were easily beaten 1-3 at home to United last Sunday, so Arsene Wenger’s men desperately need a reaction, and quickly.



I just don’t fancy them to produce it here because Chelsea are their nightmare sort of opponents and are so strong at Stamford Bridge. Nobody has managed to beat them here this season and they have an incredible 1-1 record in front of their own fans. Only Everton have managed to leave with anything and I’d be surprised if Arsenal avoided defeat. Chelsea know they have to keep winning in order to keep ahead of Man Utd and usually their ‘big’ players such as Didier Drogba stand up and produce superb performances in these games. I think it’d be great for the EPL is Arsenal won or even drew, but I cant see it happening and I’ll back the hosts to prevail.

Back Chelsea at 1.85.

Do you agree with the tipster? GoalWin are top price on Chelsea this weekend!

ATP Santiago preview from GoalWin

Eduardo Schwank (GoalWin odds 2.25) has won 23 of his last 26 matches, winning three challenger titles since October, all on clay. His first round win over Lorenzi was a battle, it would have been a tight squeeze travelling from the mid-altitude of Bucaramanga, Colombia (3000ft) to Santiago. Without much time to adjust to the conditions, any win is a good win, and he did comeback from a set down.

Jose Acasuso (GoalWin odds 1.65) is a power player who goes for everything. Before this event, he had been on a six-match losing streak, all on hardcourt. His first round win over a 22yo local wildcard ranked outside the top 500, and better suited to the futures tour. When at his best, he is a very good player, but his 2009 campaign was dogged by a string of injuries, particularly to his left knee.

Acasuso leads the h2h 1-0, but it's the stronger form base which puts me onto his opponent at the odds.

Bet Schwank on GoalWin at 2.25

Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal preview

The ledger stands at 7-3 in favour of Nadal here, but I wouldn't read too much into his most recent wins last year. One was on clay where he obviously had the advantage, the other was at Indian Wells in a howling gale which is one of those days you just have to ignore. Before that, Murray had won three on the trot.

Murray showed no signs of the back ailment which affected him against Serra, and his game was in tip-top shape against Isner, winning an impressive 41% of pts against one of the toughest serves in the sport.

Nadal was solid, if unremarkable, against Karlovic, dropping a set on the way to victory, as he did against Kohlschreiber in the previous round. A prime concern is his lack of success against top 10 players recently. Ignoring exhibitions, he has won just one match against a top 10 player since the French Open (Tsonga, last Nov), with 10 losses. What does that do to his mind, knowing his recent record?

I like Murray in this, he has already gone further than ever before in Melbourne, and he'll see this as a gilt-edged chance to make another Grand Slam final at least. For the title, GoalWin markets slightly favour Murray at 5 over Nadal to defend his crown at 6. Federer still heads the market at 2.75.

Back Murray at 1.80 at GoalWin

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Scoreless games can be very dull to bet on, and it feels like a waste of a day when you sit and watch one. So GoalWin are going to make even a boring game more cheerful!



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Hewitt v Baghdatis betting preview from GoalWin

The highlight of the weekend, at least for the local fans, will be between Hewitt and Baghdatis on Saturday night. Who can forget their epic third-round match here in 2008 which finished as the sun was rising again. There's little between the pair in the betting, with some books having Baghdatis a slight favourtie, as he was two years ago. The Cypriot beat Hewitt in Sydney just a week ago, but you can't really compare the two events - a bigger stage, a longer match, broadcast live around the world and with a stadium full of patriotic fans on both sides.

Both players have reach the final here in the past, with Hewitt available at 100 on GoalWin to win again this year, and Baghdatis priced at 30 in the 'Any Other' group. Maybe the glory days are behind both players, but that won't reduce the excitement level in this one. Return of serve here will be the key - both players are stronger at the back than when serving. So expect quite a few breaks, just one will not be decisive.

If ever there's a match that looks like going to five sets this is it. I like Hewitt to win this match, but I'll play safer and back both players to win 3-2.


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Australian Open tennis preview from GoalWin

Monfils v Isner

GoalWin market - 1.45 Monfils, 2.75 Isner (at time of writing)

The athletic Frenchman has made a steady start so far, winning all six sets 6-4. A sore shoulder in Brisbane seems to have passed, judging by his service stats so far. The pair have clashed three times in the past, all on American hardcourts, with Isner leading the scoreline 2-1, although each match went the full distance.

Isner has had a busy season so far, playing Hopman Cup and Auckland (an event he won), before arriving in Melbourne. He complained of tiredness after his last match, a three-set win over Irish qualifier Sorensen, but that was probably due to the five-setter the day before.

The American's game depends entirely on his serve. He can't find his range, he is beaten easily. His groundstrokes are not up to top 50 standard so every extra shot Monfils forces him to make puts pressure on him. Based on their past I don't see this being a one-sided match. The favourite should prevail, but I expect him to need four sets to do it.

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Monfils 3-1, paying 3.50 on GoalWin.

tennis preview from GoalWin

Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis loves Melbourne. Priced at 100 in the GoalWin winner market before the tournament began, he reached the final here back in 2006 and has taken some quality scalps in the years since, despite being constantly hampered by injuries. Now surgery, rest and intensive preparation, he is back to close to his best form. Since last August, he has won 30 of 35 matches, claiming three challenger titles and two at ATP level, including Sydney just last week. Prolonged health, a stunning run of form and a huge crowd following in Australia from the Greek/Cypriot community give him a decisive edge here over his opponent David Ferrer.

Since reaching #4 in the world a couple of years, the Spaniard has been on a gradual slide back down as the circuit has worked out how to play him a little better, and his body tells him to slow down from his frenetic schedule. Second week appearances at the Slams haven't occurred for nearly two years and his R1 win over the injured Gil was his first win of the year (he beat Davydenko in Abu Dhabi on Dec 31). He leads the h2h 2-0, but I think the momentum is against him.

Baghdatis is the clear tip here, 1.75 at GoalWin.

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