Swiss rollover
Jul 5th, 2008 by Bert
Jane and I went to the tennis yesterday. Semi-finals day is often the best day to go, but yesterday was just the administration of a couple of sound beatings and the prelude to what might be a classic final.
I grew up in Wimbledon and I’ve been to the tennis virtually every year since I was a small boy. I’ve seen many great champions, but it’s not often you get two great champions playing at their peak at the same time. Becker and Edberg scrapped it out in the late 80s, Sampras and Agassi had amazing hard court duels but Sampras was the man on grass. For me though it is Borg and McEnroe that I look back to.
Borg was the ice man - cool and unflappable on court, incredibly fit and the consummate professional. He won from 1976 to 1979, getting better each year. McEnroe was the fiery genius - awesome power and control and a true sight to behold. McEnroe was knocking at the door, but in 1980 Borg wasn’t going to let him in. It was one of the great finals, Borg winning in an epic 5 sets for his 5th consecutive final.
A year later the younger McEnroe would not be denied, and he won in 4. It was a natural succession - Borg had peaked and was probably a little on the slide whereas McEnroe was still improving. They’d been incredibly close the year before and everything suggested McEnroe would be the better man this time, but somehow Borg felt immortal at Wimbledon and a lot of people thought he’d do it again.
I see a lot of similarities between that era and the current one. Federer, the consummate pro, has looked immortal at Wimbledon, but last year Nadal took him right to the edge. Nadal is clearly improving and Federer is not - he should win this year. Is there any more to it than this? I don’t think there is - don’t let the wood get in the way of the trees here. As in Borg’s era there will be plenty who believe in Federer’s immortality, which is why he is still favourite.
In the women’s I think psychology is a bigger factor than form. I think the sisters have a subconscious sense of “whose turn it is” and my sense is that it is Serena’s turn - Venus has won plenty at Wimbledon.
On to the racing;
The big news today may be the rain at Haydock - it’s expected to be fairly heavy this morning and I suspect the going will change. I live only a short distance from Sandown and there has been a little rain this morning, but I doubt we’ll get much.
The Eclipse looks unusually weak this year. In the absence of anything better I’ll go for Stotsfold for a place - I’m hearing that the Swinburn stable are looking for a big run from him. Later in the day I like St Jean Cap Ferrat who was entered in the Derby and has ability - he may be delivering closer to his true potential now and can go on and score again.
In the Old Newton’s at Haydock I’ll side with Greek Envoy, who’ll like the rain and goes well on a galloping track. Later in the sprint handicap I’ll have a very small interest in Jonny Ebeneezer.
Nap of the day though is Allied Powers in the first at Haydock. Everything is right here - he’s getting his beloved rain, the form of his last three victories has worked out, his stable continues in great form and he’s had a nice break.
6 Responses to “Swiss rollover”
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Hi Bert,
never looked as forward to a tennis match so much in years. Real divide on BF with the 2 camps supporters. I backed Rafa e/w from start, thus guaranteed a money earner. My thinking was - i had bet Federer last year for a lump and i reckon if Nadal had not been injured in the 4th set he would have won. I really fancy him to do it.
Then be back to trading the darts tonight. Heres a shot to nothing for any arrers fans. In tournaments with longer maytch formats, try a bet on Taylor at a huge price to get two 9 darters in the one match, he,s achieved so much, and would love to do this.
The mens final will truly be a cracker tomorrow. How can you separate these two guys? Nadal is like a hungry tiger stalking his prey; Federer is the leader of the pack seeking to defend his mighty status. Neither deserve to lose; one will of course.
In my eyes, Federer has simply cruised through his last couple of matches and I feel he will be just about win, even though it might be a five-setter! It’s got to be one of the best finals ever and the anticipation is almost painful.
I’ve been a fan of Wimbledon tennis for decades; from 1956 when I started working for Arthur Horton in Sydenham credit betting office when I was having a shilling on Lew Hoad to win the next POINT against Ken Rosewall, and in later years the great Rod Laver, and the gentlemanly Arthur Ashe, to name just a few of my memorable champions.
The ladies final should be good too, but not, frankly, in the same class as the mens. Not chauvinistic, just my honest opinion about the game.
PS..
I’m taking a chance on Planetarium (ew) against Allied Powers today.:-) Always the optimist!
Oh dear, Bert … you were well out of luck today. Still, Coleorton Dancer in the 7.05 Carlisle will, I hope, recoup some of my flutters today.
2 nine darters in one match…..one is hard enough never mind two. There is more chance of Bert picking a winner than that LOL(joking Bert
Nadal can be backed at 7/4 with CORALS on their special win first set and go on to win.
Same deal is FEDERE win first set and go on to win 6/4
The Fed has been starting slow so i reckon Nadal to win first set and go on to win 7/4 is worth a bit of hard earned.
Had my biggest bet ever on MAD RUSH today and got 4/1 BET365 so laughing.
Good luck all and Bert keep any news coming for your blog faithful to peruse.
Happy days
M
That Coral offer - looks like 1/10 chance now! Wow, how did Federer fluff so many break points? He’s been outclassed today and though I desperately wanted him to retain his crown I have to say that Nadal has played a real blinder and will be a worthy champion today (subject to weather permitting of course).