Wimbledon semis: chances of an upset
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2017: the year of shocks
We already have the line-up for this year’s women’s final at Wimbledon, and this afternoon four will become two in the men’s race, with Querrey vs Cilic and Federer vs Berdych battling it out in the semi-finals.
Who will book their spot in Sunday’s decider? Have your say on both ties at Coral. We are betting on over 30 markets in each match, including winner, set betting and total games. Click here to bet now, or read on as our tennis team run you through our thoughts on the day.
Querrey and Cilic to go the distance
It has been a year of upsets, with only one of the top-four players remaining in the competition at the business end. Will the semi-finals fall into place and deliver more shocks? Coral traders have Sam Querrey as a 12/5 underdog to book his place in the final, but that does seem a tad harsh. The 29-year-old American beat Andy Murray in the last round, and will fancy his chances of ending Marin Cilic’s hopes too.
Murray did look battered and bruised at the end, limping to defeat, meaning there will be no successful defence, but we can’t ignore just how good Querrey was. A powerful serve set him on course for victory, but it was his ability to return Murray’s big serves that made the difference, and the towering Las Vegas resident will be more than willing to gamble again on Friday.
The stats don’t do too much to encourage a bet on Sam however, with Cilic winning each of the previous four meetings between the pair. Location is key to how this one will pan out though. The rivals have met at Wimbledon twice before, with each match going five sets. We should be in for another battle here. Go for over 4.5 sets at 11/4. Fancy taking a chance on Querrey? Play 3-2 in the set betting at 13/2.
Grass gives Berdych his best chance
Pre-tournament favourite Roger Federer took time off during the spring to ensure his body was in the best possible shape to win Wimbledon, and that tactic has certainly paid off so far. At 35 years old, the Swiss star must choose his battles wisely, but here he is in the semis of Wimbledon, and looking like a man destined to pick up his second Grand Slam of the year.
He’ll find a determined opponent in Tomas Berdych, who has plenty of experience here of his own. The 31-year-old Czech star reached the final back in 2010, eventually losing to Rafa Nadal in fairly convincing circumstances. He goes into this after a half-shift against Novak Djokovic, the Serb pulling out with an injured elbow midway through an enthralling contest.
Friday’s match is just the latest leg of a long-running rivalry between Federer and Berdych, and the underdog has had plenty of success along the way. That includes victory over him at this venue back in 2010, and the stats suggest the grass court gives Berdych the best chance of beating Federer. Another battle? Over 3.5 sets is 5/6, or backing Tomas to book a place in the final will earn you 9/2.
