The Overrule in Miami

By Sports Magician

ATP MIAMI

Ivan Ljubicic was a hugely surprising winner at Indian Wells and I expect Miami to return to the status quo domination by the elite of the men’s game. Nikolay Davydenko (2008 winner) and Juan Martin del Potro (2009 semi-finalist) are two of the most notable absentees from the event, which Andy Murray won last year. Roger Federer was shocked by Marcos Baghdatis at Indian Wells but he can return to form in Miami by picking up his third title at the event, Federer was a winner in 2005 and 2006. Murray and Federer are set to clash in the last four, but the Scot may have to get past Robin Soderling, who beat the world number three handily at Indian Wells.

Andy Roddick was a disappointed runner-up at Indian Wells and may possibly have a quick chance for revenge against Ljubicic, as the two have been drawn in the same quarter. The American has a fair chance of reaching the last four with Novak Djokovic, once again, looking completely out of sorts. Rafael Nadal may have to meet David Nalbandian and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before reaching the semi-finals, but will be thankful that Nalbandian is still far from full fitness and Tsonga hasn’t been in the best of health recently or playing to his potential.

PICK: 3*ROGER FEDERER WIN MIAMI @ 3.75 (BETFRED)

PICK: 0.5*(EACH-WAY) ANDY RODDICK WIN MIAMI @ 19.00 (1/2 ODDS 1-2 PLACES) (BOYLESPORTS)


WTA MIAMI

The WTA Tour moves to Miami where we bear witness to one of the most bottom-heavy (no, I’m not talking about Kim Kardashian) draws I can ever remember. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova both miss the event through injury but there is still plenty of star quality on offer. The bottom half of the draw features Indian Wells champion Jelena Jankovic, defending Miami champion Victoria Azarenka, US Open champion Kim Clijsters, Elena Dementieva, Justine Henin and Caroline Wozniacki. The bottom half of the draw also contains threats such as Alisa Kleybanova, Vera Zvonareva and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. I’ll be surprised if the winner doesn’t come from this loaded half of the draw, but it’s certainly not easy to see who might make it through to the final. Clijsters and Dementieva stand out as bigger prices than they should be, especially since Clijsters is in the slightly less daunting third quarter of the draw which contains Azarenka - who will be dealing with the pressure of defending her only tier I title - and Jankovic - who despite winning Indian Wells, was less than convincing much for much of the tournament.

Dementieva’s price, particularly, has been inflated due to the likely second round meeting with Henin. The two met at the Australian Open in what turned out to be the match of the women’s event and another classic may be in store for us in Miami. The top half of the draw sees Venus Williams return to action and she will have been delighted to see many of the other big names fall into the opposing half of the draw. The elder Williams sister has been made the favourite by the majority of books purely because she has avoided the minefield bottom half of the draw. I’m not convinced Venus is a sure thing for the final, but there is value in backing Yanina Wickmayer in the each-way market. The underrated Belgian made huge strides last year, reaching the semi-finals of the US Open, and her draw is more than negotiable.

PICK: 2.5*KIM CLIJSTERS WIN MIAMI @ 9.8 (BETFAIR)

PICK: 1.5*ELENA DEMENTIEVA WIN MIAMI @ 21.00 (WILLIAM HILL)

PICK: 0.25*(EACH-WAY) YANINA WICKMAYER WIN MIAMI @ 34.0 (1/2 ODDS 1-2 PLACES) (BET365)

Sports Magician