There are a lot of people who don’t have time to trade tennis matches and just want “set and leave” picks.
I ran a tipping serve, “Shark Tips” for 4 years and was profitable for that period. The last year dragged the results down. I think I maybe lost interest a little that year. Tennis betting is stressful!
My research methods have improved a great deal, especially since using Tennis Profits for the research. I am interested to see if the improvement would convert to straight bets.
I am trying to find a selection method that can be automated. To qualify, a pick has to have stronger serve stats to qualify. After that, I am using a further 5 stats. In an ideal world, they would lead on all 6 stats but I’d expect their starting price to be poor value in the match odds market. The handicap markets don’t always have great liability but bets such as “to win in straight sets” could be an option.
EDIT: I soon “binned off” handicaps and set betting picks. Keep bets on the match odds market are the way to go.
I could just do the test in private but I think it makes things more “real” if I have a few eyes over my shoulder.
So this page is to record the picks. Prices are on Betfair. Note, Keep bets aren’t working through the Geeks Toy/API. They do work when placed on the Betfair site.
5th March
That would be very bad then! Of course Berrettini won after collapsing on the floor with cramp and being unable to stand for several minutes.
Just 2 wins from 9 picks. This is looking like a very long winded way of explaining why trading is much better than punting!
Quite a collapse after a VERY promising start. Today takes the test into the red for the first time.
EDIT: I have just been reviewing yesterday’s picks. I have recently been a little “flexible” with the picks having to lead one of the “less important” serve stats. Had I stuck strictly to the rules, Popyrin, Halys, Kessler, Zhang, Stakusic and Galfi would not have been selections.
Giron, Svajda and Tsitsipas would have qualified.
For research purposes for the trading tips, I would still have favoured all the above players.
If this selection process is to be automated, there can be no more flexibility.
WTA Indian Wells
Bouzkova v Townsend. Pick is Townsend. SP 1.92
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10
Arango v Baptiste. Pick is Baptiste. SP 1.33
Match odds keep bet @1.50
ATP Indian Wells
Marozsan v Bautista Agut. Pick is Marozsan. SP 1.30
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50
Zhang v Kopriva. Pick is Zheng. SP 1.72
Match odds keep bet @ 1.95
4th March
I have made a very small change to the selection criteria. It disqualified Berrettini from today’s picks.
Quite a few picks from Indian Wells today. This could be very good or potentially very bad! Let’s see.
WTA Indian Wells
Sonmez v Kessler. Pick is Kessler. SP 1.74
Match odds keep bet @ 1.95 LOST 2 sets
Yastremska v Zhang. Pick is Zhang. SP 1.87
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST 2 sets
Potapova v Stakusic. Pick is Stakusic. SP 2.00
Match odds keep bet @ 2.20 LOST 3 sets Had an MTO for a lower back issue.
Galfi v Blinkova. Pick is Galfi. SP 1.40
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 LOST
ATP Indian Wells
Halys v Walton. Pick is Halys. SP 1.60
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 LOST 2 sets
Navone v Giron. Pick is Giron. SP 1.44
Match odds keep bet @ 1.65 WON 3 sets
Brooksby v Popyrin. Pick is Popyrin. SP 2.42
Match odds @ 2.42 LOST Just 1 break in each set
Svajda v Cilic. Pick is Svajda. SP 2.26
Match odds @ 2.26 WON 2 sets
Tsitsipas v Shapovalov. Pick is Tsitsipas. SP 1.84
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST Broken at 4-5 in the 3rd set.
3rd March
A win and a loss yesterday. The one I was more confident in lost and the one I though may be dodgy came through!
ROI 6.07%. 5.58 units profit
When backing at SP: ROI 7.41%. 9.49 units profit
WTA Indian Wells Qualifying
Sun v Parry. Pick is Sun. SP 1.53 *her priced dropped from 1.65 so I changed the bet price
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 LOST. Crazy serve stats for Parry. She lost 2 points on her first serve and just 2 points on serve in set 2.
ATP Indian Wells Qualifying
Bonzi v Mochizuki. Pick is Bonzi. SP 1.38
Match odds keep bet @ 1.65 WON 3 sets
Burruchaga v Tseng. Pick is Burruchaga. SP 1.80
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST 3 sets
2nd March
ROI 6.35%. Just 5.78 units profit
Backing at SP gives an ROI of 7.79% and 9.89 units profit.
WTA Indian Wells Qualifying
Sawangkaew v Masarova. Pick is Masarova. SP 1.65
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 LOST 2 sets
Garland v Townsend. Pick is Townsend. SP 1.60 This could be tough for Townsend. She played and lost a final yesterday.
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 WON 2 sets
1st March
This update did not save for some reason. This page is to record results of the system so I have added it again. Just 1 pick for Sunday.
Tigre Challenger
Damas v Acosta. Pick is Acosta. SP 1.30
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50 WON 3 sets.
28th February
ATP Santiago
Baez v Darderi. Pick is Darderi. SP 1.62
Match odds keep bet @ 1.95 WON
ATP Acapulco
Cobolli v Tiafoe. Pick is Tiafoe. SP 1.85
Match odds keep bet @ 2.00 LOST
WTA Merida
Paolini v Bucsa. Pick is Paolini. SP 1.47
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 LOST Awful match from Paolini
27 February
ATP Dubai
Rublev v Griekspoor. Pick is Rublev. SP 1.41
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 LOST 2 sets Griekspoor could hardly walk in the second set!
ATP Santiago
Hanfmann v Gaubas. Pick is Hanfmann. SP 1.44
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON 3 sets
Tabilo v Baez. Pick is Tabilo. SP 1.87 Already drifted to 2.20 by 9:20 pm (starts at 11 pm)
Match odds at 1.87 LOST 2 sets
WTA Merida
Paolini v Boulter. Pick is Paolini. SP 1.46
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 WON 3 sets
26th February
Back to normal yesterday. 2 losses, 4 wins and a void.
ROI for 119 picks: ROI 7.87 %. 6.53 units profit
Backing at SP: ROI 10.14%. 12.07 units profit.
WTA Merida
Li v Sonmez. Pick is Li. SP 1.82 This won’t be easy!
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST I still don’t know how Li lost. She was a set and 4-2 ahead with break points for a 5-2 lead.
ATP Santiago
Tabilo v Tirante. Pick is Tabilo. SP 1.55
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON 3 sets
ATP Acapulco
Tiafoe v Bellucci. Pick is Tiafoe. SP 1.45
Match odds keep bet @ 1.65 WON 2 sets
25th February
Wow! 2 months of variance in 1 day. Horrible day for the system
ATP Dubai
Brooksby v Khachanov. Pick is Khachanov SP 1.58
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 LOST in 2 tight sets
Griekspoor v Bublik. Pick is Bublik. SP 1.40
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 LOST 2 sets
Rublev v Humbert. Pick is Rublev SP 1.67
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 WON 3 sets
WTA Austin
Masarova v Osuigwe. Pick is Masarova. SP 1.39
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 WON 2 sets
ATP Santiago
Navone v Darderi. Pick is Darderi. SP 1.50
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 WON 3 sets
WTA Merida
Arango v Bouzkova. Pick is Bouzkova. SP 1.31
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50 WON 3 sets
ATP Acapulco
Vacherot v Monfils. Pick is Vacherot. SP 1.43
Match odds keep bet @ 1.65 VOID 2 sets win
24th February
ATP Dubai
Struff v Bublik. Pick is Bublik. SP 1.38
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 VOID. Won in 2 sets
Virtanen v Griekspoor. Pick is Virtanen. SP 2.16
Match odds @ 2.16 LOST 2 tight sets. Just 1 break point in each set.
Humbert v Tsitsipas. Pick is Tsitsipas. SP 2.16
Match odds @ 2.16 LOST 2 sets
ATP Acapulco
Atmane v Dimitrov. Pick is Dimitrov. SP 1.42
Match odds keep bet @ 1.65 LOST 2 sets
ATP Santiago
Navone v Kopriva. Pick is Kopriva. SP 2.40
Match odds @ 2.40 LOST retired in set 3
Nava v Berrettini. Pick is Berrettini. SP 1.31
Match odds keep bet @ 1.45 LOST 2 sets
JM Cerundolo v Garin. Pick is JM Cerundolo. SP 1.66
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 LOST 3 sets
WTA Austin
Marcinko v Birrell. Pick is Birrell. SP 1.66
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 WON 3 sets
WTA Merida
Linette v Maria. Pick is Linette. SP 1.33
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50. WON 2 sets
23rd February
ROI 15.25%. 10.83 units profit
ATP Acapulco
Jodar v Norrie. Pick is Norrie. SP 1.86
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST Awful performance from Norrie, especially in the second set.
Vacherot v Wong. Pick is Vacherot. SP 1.50
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 WON 3 sets
WTA Austin
Townsend v Gracheva. Pick is Townsend. SP 2.44 Townsend leads the required stats. Recent form is a little better for Gracheva. Should be close.
Match odds @ 2.44 VOID Gracheva withdrew
22nd February
ROI 15.33%. 10.73 units profit
ATP Delray Beach
Paul v Korda. Pick is Paul. SP 1.86
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST 2 sets
Tigre Challenger
Midon v Justo. Pick is Justo. SP 2.10
Match odds @ 2.10 WON 3 sets
21st February
After 100 picks, ROI 12.91. 8.78 units profit
ATP Delray Beach
Paul v Tien. Pick is Paul. SP 1.68
Match odds keep bet @ 1.95 WON 3 sets
WTA Dubai
Svitolina v Pegula. Pick is Pegula. SP 1.66
Match odds keep bet @ 1.95 VOID . 1.89 was matched.
Metepec Challenger
Andrade v Galarneau. Pick is Galarneau. SP 1.83
Match odds keep bet @ 2.00 WON 3 sets.
20th February
ROI 13.4% . 8.98 units profit. (99 picks)
WTA Dubai
Pegula v Anisimova. Pick is Pegula. SP 1.67
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 WON Tough 3 sets
ATP Delray Beach
Wong v Cobolli. Pick is Wong. SP 2.14
Match odds @ 2.14 LOST 3 sets
19th February
ROI 12.28. 7.98 units profit.
WTA Dubai
Tauson v Pegula. Pick is Pegula. SP 1.35
Match odds keep bet @ 1.45 WON Needed 3 sets!
ATP Rio de Janeiro
Berrettini v Lajovic. Pick is Berrettini. SP 1.41
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 WON 3 sets
18th February
4 wins and 3 losses yesterday. Darderi was disappointing. Good win from Dzumhur saved the day and just kept the day in profit.
After 94 picks the ROI is 12.39%. 7.68 units profit. 67% of picks won the match. There have been fewer voided picks.
If we had backed at SP, ROI 13.50% but 12.69 units profit.
WTA Dubai
Jovic v Pegula. Pick is Pegula. SP 1.45
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 WON 2 sets
Cirstea v Eala. Pick is Cirstea. SP 1.45
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 LOST. 2 sets
ATP Doha
Marozsan v Rublev. Pick is Rublev. SP 1.64
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 WON Straight sets
17th February
ATP Doha
Lehecka v Brooksby. Pick is Lehecka. SP 1.56
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON 2 sets.
Bergs v Perricard. Pick is Perricard. SP 2.38
Match odds @ 2.38 LOST 3 sets
ATP Delray Beach
Quinn v Jodar. Pick is Quinn. SP 1.90
Match odds @ 1.90 LOST 2 sets
ATP Rio
Barrios v Berrettini. Pick is Berrettini. SP 1.32
Match odds keep bet @ 1.35 (Matched pre match) WON 2 tight sets
JM Cerundolo v Darderi. Pick is Darderi. SP 1.39
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50 LOST 3 sets
F Cerundolo v Navone. Pick is Cerundolo. SP 1.46
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 WON 2 sets
Dzumhur v Martinez. Pick is Dzumhur. SP 2.44
Match odds @ 2.44 WON 3 sets.
16th February
WTA Dubai
Jovic v Rakhimova. Pick is Jovic. SP 1.25
Match odds keep bet @ 1.30 WON 3 sets.
Cirstea v Sasnovich. Pick is Cirstea. SP 1.42
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50 VOID 2 sets win.
15th February
WTA Dubai
Maria v Birrell. Pick is Birrell. SP 1.33
Match odds keep bet @ 1.45 WON 3rd set tie break
Pavlyuchenkova v Krejcikova. Pick is Krejcikova. SP 1.45
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 WON 2sets win
Seidel v Bucsa. Pick is Seidel. SP 2.28
Match odds @ 2.28 WON Straight sets
Shnaider v Joint. Pick is Shnaider. SP 1.50
Match odds keep bet @ 1.65 VOID. 1.60 was matched.
Baptiste v Eala. Pick is Baptiste. SP 2.00
Match odds @ 2.00 LOST Retired after holding serve in the first game of set 2!
Sonmez v Bejlek. Pick is Bejlek. SP 1.60
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 VOID 2 sets win.
ATP Buenos Aires
Cerundolo v Darderi. Pick is Darderi. SP 2.10
Match odds @ 2.10 LOST – Disappointing from Darderi. Lost in 2. Was always behind.
14th February
WTA Doha
Muchova v Mboko. Pick is Muchova. SP 2.10
Match odds @ 2.10 WON
ATP Rotterdam
De Minaur v Humbert. Pick is Humbert. SP 3.15 I have included this one as he leads the required stats. Good chance of 3 sets so there is certainly some value on him.
Match odds @ 3.15 LOST Had plenty of break points but did not take any of them.
13th February
Not much luck yesterday. The 2 losses were pretty tight. 1 win and 2 voids.
So far, backing at SP is performing better than the keep bets!
Keep bets ROI is 12.82% (6.41 units profit)
Backing at SP ROI is 13.34% (10.54 units profit)
WTA Doha
Sakkari v Muchova. Pick is Muchova. SP 1.44
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 WON 2 sets
12th February
WTA Doha
Mboko v Rybakina. Pick is Rybakina. SP 1.37
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50 LOST She was a break ahead in all 3 sets. Not her best day but Mboko played well.
Muchova v Kalinskaya. Pick is Muchova. SP 1.58
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON 2 sets.
ATP Rotterdam
Medjedovic v Aliassime. Pick is Aliassime. SP 1.30
Match odds keep bet @ 1.40 VOID 2 sets win.
ATP Buenos Aires
Barrios v Darderi. Pick is Darderi. SP 1.38
Match odds keep bet @ 1.55 VOID He broke in the very first game and the price never recovered. 2 sets win.
Cerundolo v Martinez. Pick is Cerundolo. SP 1.59
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 LOST 2 tight sets.
11th February
A loss and 3 voids yesterday. The voids are good for the results for backing at SP. Again, I am not taking advantage of the excellent selection hit rate but setting a keep bet too high. Perhaps I need to take my trader hat off and concentrate on getting matched. There is no need of just tipping at SP unless the price is value. I am already tracking how SP bets perform.
Right now, the system has 8.46 units profit. ROI is 16.59% . The ROI is fine but I find it disappointing when the picks have a 73% hit rate.
Backing at SP gives 12.13 units profit and an ROI of 15.55 %.
ATP Rotterdam
Popyrin v Aliassime. Pick is Aliassime. SP 1.26
Match odds keep bet @ 1.30 WON 2 sets win
ATP Buenos Aires
Kopriva v Berrettini. Pick is Berrettini SP 1.41 (price drifted a little from 1.36)
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50 LOST Lost in 2 sets.
10th February
Tough day yesterday. The 2 players who won each missed the target price by 5 ticks. Rakhimova was a set and 3-1 up on Ostapenko but fell apart, losing the next 7 games.
I have looked at the stats for the picks so far. The hit rate is 72% for the player to win, I am pretty happy with the selection process. I just need to get more from the picks. 24 of the 75 picks were voids. I am going to go for slightly lower target prices for the keep bets. Backing the picks at SP has more units profit and an ROI of 15.7%
ROI for the system is 18.92%. Let’s try to decrease the voids.
WTA Doha
Alexandrova v Ostapenko. Pick is Alexandrova. SP 1.44
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 LOST Straight sets
Yastremska v Svitolina. Pick is Svitolina. SP 1.26
Match odds keep bet @ 1.50 VOID Won in 2 sets
Valentova v Muchova. Pick is Muchova. SP 1.56
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 VOID Straight sets win.
ATP Buenos Aires
Altmaier v Cerundolo. Pick is Cerundolo. SP 1.69
Match odds keep bet @ 2.00 VOID Very easy win.
9th February
Current ROI 20.92%
WTA Doha
Noskova v Joint. Pick is Noskova. SP 1.48
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 VOID She won in 2 sets. 1.75 was matched!
Zakharova v Ostapenko. Pick is Zakharova. SP 2.44
Match odds @ 2.44 LOST Zakharova was a set and 3-1 up but fell apart.
ATP Rotterdam
Bautista Agut v Norrie. Pick is Norrie. SP 1.34
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID Norrie won in 2 sets. 1.65 was matched!
8th February
No matches on the 7th. Doha starts on the 8th so we should see more picks.
WTA Doha
Bouzkova v Mboko. Pick is Mboko. SP 1.52
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 WON Tight first set but she won in 2.
Mumbai Challenger
Sawangkaew v Tagger. Pick is Tagger. SP 1.65
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 LOST Close match but Sawangkaew had crazily good serve stats.
6th February
2 losses, a win and a void yesterday. ROI is 21.32. ROI is we had backed at SP is 16.36%
ATP Montpellier
Damm v Nardi. Pick is Damm. SP 1.86 I have used indoor stats for all tours.
Match odds keep bet @ 2.20 VOID Straight sets win.
5th February
Current ROI is 24.6%. If backing all picks at SP, ROI is 18.36%
WTA Abu Dhabi
Kartal v Bejlek. Pick is Kartal SP 1.49
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 LOST Awful performance from Kartal. Only won 3 points on serve in the first set
ATP Montpellier. This is indoors so stats are a little thin on the ground
Droguet v Kovacevic. Pick is Droguet. SP 1.76 .
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 WON 3 sets win.
Nardi v Cobolli. Pick is Cobolli SP 1.75
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST Straight sets. Cobolli had a chance to go a break up in the 2nd set but didn’t take it.
Aliassime v Wawrinka. Pick is Aliassime. SP 1.32 Aliassime retired from the Australian Open but is one of the strongest players indoors.
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID Straight sets win. Never got near the price.
4th February
WTA Abu Dhabi
Yastremska v Alexandrova. Pick is Alexandrova SP 1.57
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 VOID Alexandrova almost blew a 4-0 lead in the first set but won in 2 sets.
3rd February
A loss and a win on Monday. The ROI is 27.3%. I am also recording what the results would be if we just backed every pick at SP. Currently, the number of units profit is actually more for backing at SP although obviously the ROI is lower at 19.8%.
No selections for the main tour on Tuesday. 3 of the 4 tournaments are indoors. The first round matches are unlikely to give a big enough sample size to make the stats of much use. So many players play a handful of indoor matches. It feels like I’m almost guessing a lot more than I like, taking into account recent form on other surfaces.
I did find a Challenger pick
Taverna v Ambrogi. Pick is Taverna. SP 2.06
Match odds keep bet @ 2.20 LOST 2 close sets. He did have set points in the 2nd set.
2nd February
ROI is now 28.09%.
WTA Abu Dhabi
Krueger v Bejlek. Pick is Krueger. SP 1.79
This will be a good one for the test. There is one of the stats that I need a player to be leading that Krueger does not lead. Of all the stats included, there is one that has the lowest importance. As long as they player leads all the other stats and is very close on this individual stats, they have been included. For Krueger, she is behind by 1.5%
Match odds keep bet @ 2.20 LOST She started ok but didn’t win a game in the second set!
Tjen v Joint. Pick is Tjen SP 1.86
Match odds keep bet @ 2.20 WON Tough 3 setter
1st February
WTA Abu Dhabi
Kessler v Pavlyuchenkova. Pick is Kessler. SP 1.50
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 VOID. Kessler won in 2 sets
Baptiste v Kostovic. Pick is Baptiste SP (waiting for money in the market)
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON. Baptiste won in 3 sets
31st January
A winner yesterday. ROI now at 27.12% from 60 selections.
Concepcion Challenger
Tabilo v Cecchinato. Pick is Tabilo . SP 1.34
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70
30th January
Yesterday’s selection won at 2.50. That takes the ROI to 25.74. Selection win rate is 75%
San Diego Challenger
Krueger v Svajda. Pick is Svajda. SP 1.52
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 WON Svajda won in 3 sets. Target price hit in the 3rd game.
29th January
3 wins yesterday, including 2 from Challengers. ROI now 22.7%. The selected player wins 74% of the time though some are void if they don’t reach the target for a keep bet. Backing the selections at SP would also be in profit by 8.27 units (1 unit per bet).
Concepcion Challenger
Torres v Justo. Pick is Justo. SP 2.50
Match odds @ 2.50 WON Justo won in 2 sets.
28th January
There were no selections for the 26th or 27th.
WTA Australian Open
Rybakina v Swiatek. Pick is Rybakina SP 1.89
This should be a good test of the selection process. I have gone for Rybakina to win in 3 for the Trading Tips email.
Match odds keep bet @ 2.20 WON Rybakina in 2 sets. She was broken in the first game of the match and the price was easily reached.
Concepcion Challenger
Bueno v Barrios. Pick is Barrios SP 1.47
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 WON Barrios lost the first set but won in 3.
Sanchez-Izquierdo v Da Silva. Pick is Da Silva SP 2.28
Match odds @ 2.28 WON Straight sets.
25th January
WTA Australian Open
Putintseva v Jovic. Pick is Jovic SP 1.34
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID Jovic won 6-0, 6-1
Svitolina v Andreeva. Pick is Andreeva. SP 1.57
Match odds keep bet @ 1.90 LOST Straight sets loss.
ATP Australian Open
Zverev v Cerundolo. Pick is Zverev. SP 1.40
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 VOID Zverev in 3 sets. He broke at the start of the match.
24th January
ATP Australian Open
Cilic v Ruud. Pick is Ruud SP 1.43
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 VOID Ruud won in 4 close sets but didn’t reached the target price.
23rd January
3 wins and 3 voids on Thursday.
So far there were 49 picks. 13 were voids. Profit is 8.03 units (1 unit used on each pick). ROI 22.31% . Promising but needs to perform over a much larger number of matches.
ATP Australian Open
Paul v Fokina. Pick is Paul. SP 1.55
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 VOID
Cerundolo v Rublev. Pick is Rublev. SP 1.85
Match odds keep bet @ 2.20 LOST Cerundolo gave very little away and won in 3 sets.
22nd January
2 voids, a win and a loss yesterday. The selection process is currently at 12% ROI.
WTA Australian Open
Stearns v Marcinko. Pick is Stearns. SP is 1.74
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 WON Stearns won in 2 sets. My bet was matched so there must have been a price move pre match. She broke Marcinko in the first game.
Inglis v Siegemund. Pick is Inglis SP 2.40
Match odds @ 2.40 WON Inglis won in a 3rd set tie break
Siniakova v Anisimova. Pick is Anisimova SP 1.32
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID Anisimova won in 2 sets
ATP Australian Open
Hijikata v Vacherot. Pick is Vacherot SP 1.59
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 VOID Vacherot won in 4 sets
Musetti v Sonego. Pick is Musetti. SP 1.40
Match Odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID Musetti won in 3 sets
Shapovalov v Cilic. Pick is Cilic. SP 2.32
Match odds @ 2.32 WON Cilic in straight sets.
21st January
Clean sweep yesterday. I thought Cirstea was going to spoil it as she started really slowly but fought back from being behind by a set and a break.
I think the lower cut off point should be an SP of 1.30. The main reason is that I don’t want to tip a price below 1.70 for the keep bets. For now, I will leave those that are just under 1.30. Cerundolo for Wednesday was 1.27 when I picked him out but have just checked and he has dropped to 1.25. I’ll leave him in as I am testing the selection rules.
ATP Australian Open
Cerundolo v Dzumhur. Pick is Cerundolo. SP 1.25
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID Cerundolo won in 3 sets
WTA Australian Open
Kudermetova v Tauson. Pick is Tauson. SP 1.50 Tauson retired from Adelaide and has had recent injury issues. She seemed solid enough in the first round this week.
Match odds keep bet @ 1.90 WON Tauson won in a tight 3rd set
Mboko v McNally. Pick is Mboko. SP 1.40
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 VOID Mboko won in 2 sets
Li v Linette. Pick is Li SP 1.76 This won’t be easy. Linette can be a tough opponent on her day and reached the semis in 2023
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST Linette didn’t serve particularly well but Li was terrible. Lost in 2 sets.
20th January
Break even for Monday. A little unlucky with Popyrin losing in a 5th set tie break after serving for the match in that set. Aliassime retired. I was surprised that Munar turned it around to win in 5.
ATP Australian Open
Musetti v Collignon. Pick is Musetti. SP 1.29
Match odds keep bat @ 1.70 WON Collignon retired in the 4th set.
Nardi v Wu. Pick is Wu. SP 1.30
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON Wu won in 4 sets
WTA Australian Open
Krueger v Bejlek. Pick is Krueger. SP 1.74
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 WON Krueger won in 2 sets
Wang v Kalinina. Pick is Wang. SP 1.73
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 WON Wang in 2 sets
Cirstea v Lys. Pick is Cirstea. SP 2.00
Match odds @ 2.00 WON Slow start from Cirstea and she was a set and a break behind but won in 3 sets.
19th January
10 picks for Tuesday! This could be carnage! Alexandrova blowing a 3-0 lead in the 3rd set took the picks just into the red.
WTA Australian Open
Bondar v Mandlik. Pick is Bondar. SP 1.35
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID . Bondar won in 2 sets.
Li v Osorio. Pick is Li. SP 1.67
Match odds keep bet @ 1.95 WON Li won in 3 sets
Linette v Navarro. Pick is Navarro. SP 1.40
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 LOST Lost in 3 sets
Hon v Stakusic. Pick is Hon. SP 2.46
Match odds @ 2.46 WON . Stakusic retired at 3-5 in the 3rd set.
Selekhmeteva v Seidel. Pick is Seidel. SP 2.20
Match odds @ 2.20 LOST Seidel lost in 3 sets
ATP Australian Open
Borges v Aliassime. Pick is Aliassime. SP 1.3
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 LOST Aliassime retired
Majchrzak v Fearnley. Pick is Majchrzak. SP 1.55
Match odds keep bet @ 1.90 WON Majchrzak won in 4 sets.
Munar v Svrcina. Pick is Munar. SP 1.28
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON 5 sets!
Popyrin v Muller. Pick is Popyrin. SP 1.48
Match odds keep bet @ 1.80 LOST Served for the match in the 5th set. Lost the match in a tie break.
Bellucci v Ruud. Pick is Ruud. SP 1.23
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID . Ruud in 3 easy sets.
18th January
Just 2 picks for Sunday. The new selection process took a hit on the 15th but remains (just) in profit. The first 2 weeks are perhaps the toughest 2 weeks for predictions so I am not going to change or tweak anything just yet.
Australian Open
Bublik v Brooksby. Pick is Bublik. SP 1.28
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 VOID 3 sets win. Didn’t get near the entry price.
Alexandrova v Sonmez. Pick is Alexandrova. SP 1.38
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 LOST . Poor from her but did get to 3-0 in the 3rd set. Then lost 6 of the next 7 games!
17th January
Long rain delays often wreck matches. They wouldn’t have fancied potentially playing 2 matches in the same day, which can badly affect energy levels for days afterwards. 2 2 carried over matches from the 15th both lost in 2. The 15th was the worst day of the new selection rules. That’s tennis!
No selections for the 17th
16th January
WTA Adelaide
Birrell v Mboko. Pick is Mboko. SP 1.33
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70. VOID. Mboko won in 2 sets but didn’t hit the target price.
15th January
There are a couple of dodgy picks for Thursday! I will post them as I need to know how the process works without interference.
ATP Adelaide
Fokina v Vacherot. Pick is Vacherot. SP is 2.58
Most of his matches in the last year were in 2 tournaments including a title as qualifier. Did he get a bit lucky that week?
Match odds: Vacherot @ 2.58 LOST. The first set was so tight. When he lost the tie break, Vacherot’s head dropped and he went 0-4 behind in the 2nd set.
ATP Auckland
Darderi v Giron. Pick is Giron SP 1.47
Match odds keep bet @ 1.85 WON. Giron was terrible in the 1st set losing 6 games in a row from being a break up. Bounced back after the rain delay.
Shelton v Baez. Pick is Shelton. SP 1.29
SP is low. I don’t want to tip below 1.70
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 LOST. Rain delayed match. Shelton wasn’t interested. Lost in 2 sets.
Perricard v Mensik. Pick is Perricard. SP 2.40
He is playing well but this may be a step too far!
Match odds @ 2.40 LOST Rain delayed. Lost in 2 sets. It was always going to be very tough for Perricard.
WTA Hobart
Ruzic v Danilovic. Pick is Danilovic. SP 1.77
Match odds keep bet @ 2.10 LOST. Ruzic won in 2 sets.
Andreeva was also a pick in Adelaide but with an SP of 1.20, I think that’s too low. We will see if I am right! Very easy win for Andreeva.
I also missed Jovic v Linette. Jovic was the pick. It was on the spreadsheet but I didn’t transfer to this page. Her SP was 1.30.
Similar to Shelton above, with that SP, the keep bet would have been 1.70. As I write this, they are in a 3rd set and the 1.70 was hit in the first game of this set. WON. Jovic won in 3 sets.
14th January
ATP Auckland
Shelton v Comesana. Pick is Shelton. SP 1.31
Match odds keep bet @ 1.70 WON. Price was reached in the 10th game. Shelton won in 2 sets.
Darderi v Tabilo. Pick is Tabilo. SP 1.70
Match odds keep bet @ 2.00 LOST. He was a set and 3-1 up. Lost in 3
WTA Adelaide
Putintseva v Navarro. Pick is Navarro. SP 1.58
Match odds keep bet @ 1.90 VOID Navarro won in 2 sets but didn’t reach the target price.
Joint v Tomljanovic. Pick is Tomljanovic. SP 2.10
Match odds @ 2.10 VOID. Tomljanovic retired after 2 games.
WTA Hobart
Maria v Bondar. Pick is Bondar. SP 1.42
Match odds keep bet @ 1.75 WON. Price was hit in the 2nd game. She won in 2 VERY tight sets.
13th January
I did wonder how many picks we would get with this selection process. 7 today! (I match cancelled)
WTA Hobart
Stearns v Krejcikova. Pick is Krejcikova. SP 1.42
Match odds “Keep” bet @ 1.75 LOST. Stearns won in a 3rd set tie break.
WTA Adelaide
Mboko v Kalinskaya. Pick is Mboko. SP 1.90
Match odds. Mboko @ 1.90. WON. 3rd set tie break!
ATP Auckland
Navone v Michelsen. Pick is Michelsen. SP 1.36
Match Odds “Keep” bet @ 1.70. May be ambitious but I don’t want to go below 1.70. WON. Michelsen lost the first set and won in 3 .
Bautista Agut v Perricard. Pick is Perricard. SP 1.41
Match odds “Keep” bet @ 1.75 VOID, Perricard won in 2 sets but didn’t hit the target price
ATP Adelaide
Fearnley v Halys. Pick is Halys. SP 1.65
Match odds “keep” bet @ 1.90 WON. Halys won in 2 sets. He was broken in the first game.
Tsitsipas v Vukic. Pick is Tsitsipas. SP 1.32
Match odds “keep” bet @ 1.70. LOST. 2 tie breaks.
12th January
ATP Auckland
Norrie v Gaston. Pick is Norrie. SP is 1.45.
Match odds “keep” bet. Norrie @ 1.80. WON. Norrie hit the target price in the 2nd game and won in 2 sets.
WTA Adelaide
Mboko v Haddad Maia. Pick is Mboko SP is 1.33
Match odds “keep” bet. Mboko @ 1.70. WON. Mboko lost the first set and won in 3.
11th January
Just the one pick today. Note for this one, the 2 lesser stats are exactly even. I was in 2 minds whether or not to include it but as we’re only experimenting, let’s give it a go.
Svitolina v Wang. Pick is Svitolina. SP is 1.23
Svitolina was behind by a double break in the first set of the semi final. She recovered and then went behind again before taking the set in a tie break. Even in the tie break she almost lost a 6-1 lead! So, I’ll go for the 1.70 entry.
Match odds “Keep” bet: Svitolina @ 1.70 VOID
She didn’t hit the target price.
10th January
That’s been an interesting first few days of this trial! It has reminded me why I have a real dislike of handicap bets. When I am putting money on a player, I want them to have the same goal as me. If we are in the match odds market, we both want them to win. However, a player doesn’t really care if they take a set with a double break or a single break, as long as they win the set. That single or double break can mean the difference between a handicap bet winning or losing.
Another issue that I have seen in the Betfair handicap markets is that there is really only one option with any liquidity. That may not be the option that I wanted. So, all the (limited) liquidity might be on the +2.5 games market but I wanted +3.5 games.
Looking at the 6 stats that I was using to find the picks, when a player led on 4 specific stats, only one of those 8 players lost the match. (That was actually Perricard on Friday morning).
So for next few days, I will use that more specific selection process, that could easily be automated, and will use Betfair “keep bets” to get a better price than their SP.
Only 1 pick today
Medvedev v Michelsen. Pick is Medvedev. SP is 1.30
Match odds “Keep” bet: Medvedev @ 1.70 WON. Medvedev hit 1.70 when he went a break behind at the start of the match.
9th January
Betting on tennis is way more stressful than trading! All 3 selections won on Thursday. Perricard started at 1.74 and Keys started at 1.72. Should I have just taken the match odds rather than the handicap?
Interestingly, had I used SP for the picks the p and l would be -0.73 units instead of the -6.44. That suggests that my bet selection is the flaw so far.
Kovacevic v Perricard. Pick is Perricard
Perricard -1.5 g @ 1.99 LOST. Kovacevic won in 3 sets.
Collignon v Nakashima. Pick is Nakashima although for the Trading Tips I have gone with Collignon in 3 sets
Over 23.5 games @ 2.02 LOST Nakashima won in 2 sets.
Korda v Michelsen. Pick is Korda
Korda -2.5 games @ 1.92 LOST . Michelsen won in 2 sets. Korda was the better player in the 2nd set but didn’t take the break chances. Had a set point in the 2nd set.
8th January
If Wednesday taught me anything, it’s that if I think the underdog will be competitive, taking the handicap on the underdog is a better tip that taking 2-1 on the favourite. It covers more potential outcomes which is obviously why the 2-1 is the better price!
Hijikata v Perricard. Pick is Perricard
Perricard -1.5 g @ 1.99 LOST. Perricard won 4-6, 7-6, 7-6
Sasnovich v Samsonova. Pick is Samsonova
Samsonova +2.5 g @ 1.93 WON. Samsonova won 6-4, 6-4.
Shnaider v Keys. Pick is Keys
Keys -2.5 g @ 2.04 LOST Keys won in 3 tie breaks!
7th January
The 2 ATP picks yesterday were disappointing. Both Royer and Walton lost close first sets and didn’t handle the 2nd set well. Royer wasted a 3-0 lead and lost 7 of the next 9 games. Walton lost the first set with a late break and then fell apart.
The aim is to get a selection process that is mostly automated. Picking the actual bet will have to be manual.
Jovic v Bejlek. Pick is Jovic
Jovic 2-1 @ 4.8 LOST. Jovic won 7-6, 6-4.
Kalinskaya v Pegula. Pick is Pegula
Pegula -3.5 g @ 2.04 LOST. Pegula won in 3 sets. 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 (2-6? Seriously?)
Tauson v Sasnovich. Pick is Tauson
Tauson 2-1@ 4.40 LOST. Sasnovich won 6-2, 6-3. Awful match from Tauson.
Kostyuk v Putintseva. Pick is Kostyuk
Kostyuk -3.5 g @ 1.90 WON. Kostyuk won 6-7, 6-1, 6-0.
6th January
Not great on Tuesday although 3 of the 6 stats seem to be the most important ones to have. Early days but one in particular is very interesting.
WTA Brisbane – Kenin v Alexandrova. Pick is Alexandrova. Start price is 1.35.
Their previous matches went to 3 sets. Kenin +4.5 games could be decent. Alexandrova -4.5 games feels more risky
Kenin +4.5 games @ 1.90 WON
Alexandrova won 7-6, 6-3
ATP Brisbane – Hijikata v Walton. Pick is Walton.
Walton @ 2.16
ATP Hong Kong – Etcheverry v Royer. Pick is Royer
Royer @ 2.24 LOST
Etcheverry won 6-4, 7-5. Royer blew a 3-0 lead in set 2.
5th January
Yesterday was a pain as the markets had virtually no liquidity until much nearer the match start time. it looks better from tonight.
3 picks from WTA Brisbane
Gadecki v Li. Li is the pick. She starts at 1.60 in Match odds. LOST. Straight sets!
Li -3.5 games @ 2.06
Li leads 5 of the 6 stats.
Sasnovich v Blinkova. Pick is Sasnovich.
Sasnovich -2.5 games @ 1.93 WIN
Number of sets: 3 sets @ 2.40 LOST
Sasnovich starts at 1.74. For the Trading Tips email, I struggled to pick a winner for this one and actually went with Blinkova in 3 sets.
Sasnovich leads 4 of the 6 stats
Valentova v Kalinskaya. Pick is Valentova
Valentova place “keep bet” @ 2.10 (match odds) LOST. Kalinskaya in 2 sets. First set in particular was a bit of a mess
She leads all 6 of the stats
The first couple of weeks of the season can be unpredictable!
4th January
3 picks from WTA Brisbane. There is no money in the markets as I write this but I will update prices nearer to start time
EDIT: First main tour matches of the season and they start in the early hours. Liquidity will be late coming into the markets
Arango v Kessler. Kessler is the pick. Kessler to win 2-0 WON (unfortunately, I fell asleep and didn’t see the price!)
She leads 5 of the 6 stats. Her start price will be around 1.35 (match odds). (I will update it nearer to start time). Kessler 2-0 is an option.
Jacquemot v Tomljanovic. Pick is Jacquemot @ 2.42 LOST I was right to go with Tomljanovic in the Trading Tips due to her better recent form. Tomljanovic won in 2 sets.
Tricky one. Tomljanovic will probably start around 1.70 but the system pick is Jacquemot. She leads 4 of the 6 stats but recent stats favour Tomljanovic. I have gone for Tomljanovic in 3 sets for the Trading tips email.
So, Jacquemot will be around 2.42 at the start.
Cirstea v Pavlyuchenkova. Cirstea is the pick. Place Keeps Bet back at 1.90 NO BET. Cirstea won in 2 sets as predicted on the Trading Tips. She was never behind so didn’t reach the entry price.
Leads 5 of the 6 stats. Will start around 1.65
ATP Brisbane
Carabelli v Tien. Tien is the system pick but with no money in the handicap markets, NO BET . Tien won in 2 sets but needed a tie break in the first set.
He starts at 1.15. Leads all 6 of the stats. As I write this at 7:15 pm, Tien -4.5 games is around 1.70. Not great value