Tennis Picks 2014 (May 1st)

The tournaments in Munich and Oeiras are both continuing this week and we have already seen a fair share of surprise results in both the men's and women's events that are taking place.

As I have said a couple of times already this week, players are perhaps already looking ahead to the Masters/Premier Event being held in Madrid next week and a number of those in the draws will be heading across for qualifiers.


Albert Ramos v Andreas Seppi: One of the players that could potentially have to go through the qualifiers in Madrid is Albert Ramos, but I still believe he is going to prove to be a little too good for Andreas Seppi in this Second Round match in Munich.

The clay courts are the favoured surface for Ramos and he has given Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov tough matches on the surface over the last couple of weeks and he won't be intimidated by what Seppi brings to the court.

It has been a poor eighteen months for Seppi who is slipping in the Rankings and he hasn't had much respite on the clay courts in that time either. This season has seen the Italian lose some matches that he shouldn't have and Ramos is good enough to take advantage, even if he has to wait until the match goes the distance before he gets through.


Federico Delbonis - 2.5 games v Thomaz Bellucci: He is currently Ranked as the World Number 44, but this period of the season could see Federico Delbonis break into the World Top 32 if he can continue the form he has shown on the red dirt.

By far and away the clay courts are the favoured surface for Delbonis, but he is now at a much higher level than twelve months ago which means all the points he accumulates should push him up the Rankings. I expect he is going to get the better of Thomaz Bellucci for the fourth straight time in the professional ranks, despite a good solid four wins in a row to reach the Second Round for the Brazilian.

Bellucci is another who prefers the clay courts, although injury has curtailed a career that looked like he could translate his game onto the hard courts too.

However, it has been a stop-start year for Bellucci and he may be wondering about Madrid and qualifying for that Masters event which could derail his chances of winning this match and I like the Argentinian to win this South American derby 76, 64.


Leonardo Mayer - 2.5 games v Andrey Golubev: Andrey Golubev recorded a win in the First Round, but he has not had the most success on the clay courts at the main Tour level over the last few years and I think Leonardo Mayer will have too much knowledge of the surface in the Second Round.

I do think there is more in the Golubev locker as he has a decent serve and heavy groundstrokes, but the consistency can be tough for him and that is really highlighted on the clay courts where you have to show the patience to win matches.

Leonardo Mayer snapped a run of six straight losses by winning four matches here and he should have the momentum to move into the Quarter Final, although the spectre of the Madrid Masters is a concern.

The first set will likely be tight, but Mayer should be able to come through with a 76, 64 win.

MY PICKS: Albert Ramos @ 1.73 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Federico Delbonis - 2.5 Games @ 2.00 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Leonardo Mayer - 2.5 Games @ 1.92 Pinnacle (2 Units)

Weekly Update: 3-2, + 1.06 Units (10 Units Staked, + 10.6% Yield)