Wimbledon Odds: Day 5 Preview and Match Analysis
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Nicolas Almagro +150 vs. Richard Gasquet -200
This line is a little strange. Almagro is the higher ranked player and has won all three meetings between the two players. He also has two titles this season and is coming off a quarterfinal appearance at the French Open.
Grass is his worst surface but Almagro also blasted 68 aces through two matches, good for second most at Wimbledon so far. So there is some major value here.
Gasquet is a great returner with 11 break points this Wimby, but Almagro has 11 breaks so far too. The Frenchman's success on grass is probably the biggest reason for this line. He reached the fourth round last year and the semis in 2007.
Advantage: Almagro
Sloane Stephens +125 vs. Sabine Lisicki -200
A couple of young players in fine form meet in Round 3 in London. The 19-year-old Stephens won their only meeting on clay last year in straight sets.
The 22-year-old Lisicki has the fastest serve at Wimbledon in 2012 on the ladies side at 120 mph. She has 14 aces through two matches, which means Stephens is going to have her hands full.
Stephens is a fearless competitor, a strong returner and can run balls down. But she just doesn't have the power or experience yet to hang with Lisicki on this stage. Also, we're a little upset that she knocked off two Czech hotties to get here - Petra Cetcovska and Karolina Pliskova. Although, Stephens isn't too shabby herself.
Advantage: Lisicki