Granted, there's
more than a healthy dose of nostalgia and sentimentality associated with
Lleyton Hewitt on any court in Australia, though I'm not sure
tonight's odds should be considered an almost flip of the coin
proposition. Hewitt's odds at most outlets are around the $2 mark. In my opinion, they should be around the $3 mark.
For starters
Hewitt ended the year ranked 80 in the world and hasn't won a title in more
than 2 and half years. Tipsarevic finished the year ranked 9th and has won 4
titles over the last 15 months.
Hewitt is in
reasonable form having beaten the likes of Del Potro and Raonic in the recent though not particularly acclaimed Kooyong tournament.
However the most
pressing numbers for me are in regards to the differences between the two in
Grand Slam play in recent times.
Tipsarevic has
advanced out of the first round in 8 of the last 9 Grand Slam events he's
contested. His play at the Australian open has been just as impressive,
advancing beyond the first round in 7 of his 8 visits.
Hewitt is
alternatively on a very different course where major tournament play is
concerned.
He's advanced out
of the first round in only 4 of the last 7 Grand Slams he's played at and been dumped
out at the first stage in 2 of the last 4 Australian Opens. Gone are the days, like those between 2003 and
2009, where Hewitt advanced out of the first round at Grand Slam level 19 straight
times.
The numbers for me
are quite convincing, and though this might be a close contest with Hewitt
likely to show the kind of fight he's famous for, tonight's match might be a bridge too far.
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