The 2012 London Olympic men’s tennis singles tournament kicks off this weekend at Wimbledon in what looks like being the most exciting Olympic tournament in history.
Unlike recent Olympics all the top players are attending so the tournament is basically the unofficial fifth ‘grand slam’ of the year.
The favorite, at SBG Global, is Serbian Novak Djokovic. Djokovic lost his Wimbledon title as well as the number one ranking at Wimbledon last fortnight so he will be itching to claim his first Olympic gold medal. Djokovic looked in supreme form at Wimbledon but was easily dispatched by Rodger Federer in the semifinals. Djokovic has been the best player on tour the last two years and is a threat to win any tournament he contests. His price at SBG Global is currently +150 ($2.50).
World Number 1 and Wimbledon Champion Rodger Federer is on the second line of betting. Just a fortnight ago Federer won his first grand slam title, since 2010, at Wimbledon. The fact the Olympic tournament is being played on the same courts in which he just won a grand slam automatically makes him one of the favorites for this tournament. His record at Wimbledon is superb, having won the tournament seven times, and Federer will be extremely motivated to win the Olympic Gold, the only major title he has never won. Federer is great value at odds of +300 ($4) at SBG Global.
Great Britain’s own Andy Murray will have the crowds firmly behind him as he looks to win his first major title, at the London Olympics. Murray went very close to winning Wimbledon this year taking the first set from Federer in the final before losing in four sets. Murray has the game to trouble Djokovic and Federer on grass but whether he is able to do it in back to back matches remains to be seen. SBG Global has Murray at +400 ($5).
The other Wimbledon semi-finalist was Frenchmen Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. Tsonga has a fantastic record on grass having made the semi-finals of Wimbledon in the last two years. Like Murray, Tsonga is yet to break through to the next level and capture an elusive major title. However, with matches played best-of-3 sets at the Olympics Tsonga is a real chance if he can produce his best tennis. SBG Global is currently offering odds of +2000 ($21) for Tsonga.
One player capable of causing a boil over is big serving American John Isner. Isner is in terrific form having won the Hall of Fame Championships at Newport in the lead up to the Olympics. Isner’s serve is the biggest in men’s tennis and if he has it working he is very difficult to beat. He is in a tricky part of the draw with other big servers, such as Ivo Karlovic and Janko Tipsarevic, but if he can make it through to the quarter-finals he may be able to cause an upset in a likely meeting with Federer. Isner is +3000 ($31) to win the tournament at SBG Global.
Another roughie capable of a surprise is the enigmatic Frenchmen Gael Monfils. Monfils is the most unpredictable player in world tennis. One day he looks like a world beater and the next like he doesn’t belong in the top 100. If Monfils finds form at London he may be able to go on a run similar to Nicholas Massu in 2004 who won the gold medal in what was his only ever victory in a major tournament. Monfils is at the long odds of +7500 ($76) to win the gold medal.
Bet on the tennis and many other Olympic events at SBG Global.
