U.S. Open Tourney: Day 2 Preview and Picks
By Charles Bricker
Melanie Oudin (+100) vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (-108)
The US mighty mite is a tough 17-year-old who is at a career best No. 67. She has been, as usual, unfairly saddled with "next great American player" status by the dilettantes of the tennis writing industry.
She's going to be good and I like her to upset Russia's former No. 1 junior in the world, but she's marginal top-20 material. On the plus side, she doesn't intimidate easily and showed that with a win over Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon, but where's the bounce?
Although she has only one main draw win since, she's taken Daniela Hantuchova and Ana Ivanovic to split sets. Pavlyuchenkova is at No. 36 and, just 18, made a splash at Indian Wells with a semifinal finish. She's done nothing of note since that March tournament. Oudin is on her home turf with a built-in rooting section.
Pick: Oudin
(13) Gael Monfils (-152) vs. Jeremy Chardy (+140)
One of the strongest matchups of the day, pitting two gifted Frenchmen, and I like "La Monf" to win, despite his spotty play and injury situation this season.
Chardy, however, is a very good underdog bet. This is a big kid, not long out of the juniors and already up to No. 34. He won Stuttgart, on clay, though against a tepid field. He's 32-22 for the season. He'll take his big game at Monfils, who will counter with his incredible running, power and flashy persona.
Monfils had only three matches prep for the Open, but he's 21-11 for the season and firmly entrenched as a top 20 for a good reason. He's got a lot of game.
Take Monfils and pair with an over bet on the total games.
Pick: Monfils
(32) Agnes Szavay (-117) vs. Shahar Peer (+108)
Two years ago Agnes Szavay was one of a handful of teenaged eastern Europeans who looked like the vanguard of a new set of stars. It hasn't happened for the Hungarian and consistency has been a problem. Right after Wimbledon, she won Budapest, on clay, but has been a washout in the lead-ups to the U.S. Open.
Because of that and because Peer's inner drive is stronger, I'll go with the Israeli in this one. Her ranking has plunged due to injuries, but she's worked back up to No. 64 on the strength of seven tournaments since Wimbledon, with a strong performance at Toronto.
She's 22-16 for the year. Meanwhile, Szavay at No. 33 is 21-16 and only 2-3 since her triumph in Budapest. Both women were quarterfinalists at the U.S. Open two years ago, but have never played each other.
Pick: Peer
(24) Juan Carlos Ferrero (-380) vs. Fabrice Santoro (+339)
There will be a lot of sentimentality for the retiring, 36-year-old Santoro in his matches at the U.S. Open. Unfortunately for him, that will be only one round.
Ferrero appears to be completely over the various injuries that hampered his career since he lost in the Open final in 2003 to Andy Roddick. He's 30-15 for the season and holds a 5-2 edge lifetime on Santoro, the little guy with the two-handed backhand and forehand and who has the magic touch on so many of his shots.
This is Santoro's 18th U.S. Open and American fans will let him know how much they've appreciated his performances.
Oddsmakers haven't done Ferrero backers any favors. If you're looking for a healthier return on your Ferrero bet, consider taking him in straight sets.
Pick: Ferrero
Day 1 record: 1-3
US Open Tennis Day 2 picks
By: John Ryan
Went 0-2 with my 2 dogs yesterday on the men’s side with Simone Bolellit at +230 and Dmitry Tursunov at +150 both losing. For day 2 I am going to look at playing on Peter Luczak at -115 over Viktor Troicki beginning at 12:15. I also like a play on Taylor Dent at +180 over Felicaiano Lopez beginning at 3:30. For my third and final play, I am looking on the woman’s side and playing Anastasija Sevastova at -140 over Tamarine Tanasiquarn starting at 11:00 AM. All of the big favorites advanced in the bottom half of the woman’s draw and more of the same will occur today. Perhaps some significant upsets will be provided with the day 3 matchups.