The long overdue (no staking) tennis betting and discussion thread

[Doobs]

Of course we still have Klugman and Stojsavljevic in the girls singles (plus 3 others, one got through qualifying). Klugman should be 2nd seed, I think Xu is too old now.  Bonding also has a chance in the boys Singles.

Women's doubles entries seem thin on the ground. Boulter and Kartal are playing together and won the first match.  Hopefully they can get some wins and it helps both their games and future BJK games.

Cash and Glasspool are out already, which was a bit of a shock.  Am on the right side of the Atlantic for the tennis, but it is harder to watch here (split screens and jumping between games).  Saw some of the mixed doubles last week, but no games this week so far.  I think that shows where we are with doubles.  The mixed doubles got publicity and television time, traditional doubles just isn't getting it here (have been in Alaska and now in Vancouver Island, big recommend).

[Ironside]

Red button on sky for the doubles untill the later stages which makes recording it for mum impossible but they did show the 3rd set ok the Boulter/Kartal  on skymix
Mum loves the wheelchairs so hoping they arent on over night.

[Doobs]

Red button on sky for the doubles untill the later stages which makes recording it for mum impossible but they did show the 3rd set ok the Boulter/Kartal  on skymix
Mum loves the wheelchairs so hoping they arent on over night.

I know how to get it in UK. I am just saying what I can see in the US/Canada.  Think doubles players overestimate their marketability.  I don't know what the answer is, but think there was a clear market for the mixed doubles tournament at the US Open.  The crowd looked fuller than the singles I have seen and there was some local hype.  Prize money was X4 too.  Can't see either thing happening with the normal mixed doubles entrants.

Obvious problems that it messes up the singles tournaments in the week before the US Open and the normal doubles players lose a big payday (though mixed normally has even worse prize funds than same sex doubles).  Other majors copying seems more likely than the US Open reverting to the old format from where I sit. 

[bergeroo]

Why not just have a special extra tournament the week/weekend before the grand slam a the same time as the qualifying. Mixed doubles with a lot of singles players making up teams. Extra prizemoney - maybe a few veterans/retired players in teams. And then just keep the mixed doubles as normal in the second week of the grandslam. Win win.

[Enut]

Nice to see Anisimova beat Swiatek, maybe put those Wimbledon final demons to rest.

[Doobs]

Nice to see Anisimova beat Swiatek, maybe put those Wimbledon final demons to rest.

Agreed on this, and I struggle to warm to Swiatek. Pleased to see Osaka through too, think she has been through a lot whatever people think of her.

British fellas in the semi too.

Both British girls seem to be making hard work of the girls tournament, but both grinding pretty hard. Think Klugman just doesn't seem to hit winners much and still misses the ones she hits straight back.  Just feel she could be so much better if she irons out these two issues.

[Doobs]

Nice to see Anisimova beat Swiatek, maybe put those Wimbledon final demons to rest.

Agreed on this, and I struggle to warm to Swiatek. Pleased to see Osaka through too, think she has been through a lot whatever people think of her.

British fellas in the semi too.

Both British girls seem to be making hard work of the girls tournament, but both grinding pretty hard. Think Klugman just doesn't seem to hit winners much and still misses the ones she hits straight back.  Just feel she could be so much better if she irons out these two issues.

Much better today.  Saw much of Klugman's match, but kept switching to Stojsavljevic.  Both seemed better today.  Oliver Bonding is on next on Louis Armstrong, but have to do Dad stuff for a bit.

Would be great to see both Brit girls in the final.  Really is a big deal we have so much young talent.  Might go out and paint a roundabout in celebration, though not convinced these two are English enough for the likes of tiny Tommy, or that painting roundabouts is a celebration. 

[Doobs]

Draper has announced he isn't playing again this year.  Don't think this is much of a surprise as better to miss 2/3 months now than around the Australian Open.

Think Raducanu has done right to miss the BJK this time, even if I'd like to see her.  She needs to consolidate into a solid position in the top 32 by the year end.  Still think she should try and win a 250, but we are getting late for that this year ( is possible?). Way less likely to bump into Swiatek, Rybakina or Sabalenka, and there aren't many others to fear the form she is in?

On Hannah Klugman, before her semi I noticed Vandromme had won 4 ITFs this year.  I know people knock the bottom rung, but think she just looked more battle hardened. She has the tools to push on.  Hopefully does so when she is allowed to play more games at age 17/18. 

Skupski and Salisbury very much looked to have the final won a couple of times.  Was a sad end.

And how good was Alcaraz.  Always cheering him over Sinner.

[Ironside]

Kartal looked good today British number 2 next week

[Doobs]

Kartal looked good today British number 2 next week

Didn't see today, but she steamrollered Kasatkina.  Was thinking Maya Joint has been playing so well, and she was well beaten too.  Beating Andreeva is a top result.

She definitely seems to have taken a step up in her short absence.  She is definitely playing better than Boulter and isn't far off first two sets Raducanu.  If we include the third set, probably better right now.

She can obviously beat Noskova, and with Swiatek gone and no Sabalenka, this isn't impossible.  Think Pegula and Gauff are clearly a bit inconsistent at times.

[Doobs]

Raducanu has finished for the season.  She was really struggling with the heat/injury in the last 2 tournaments.  I don't know if she stays in the top 32 at the end of the year.  She has no points to lose, but the next couple of tournaments will be soft and I noticed a lot of entries were around her, but plenty of others have stopped for the season, so it isn't impossible.  She isn't winning a tournament this year though.