Champions Circle – Week 1 Tennis Betting Recap

The first week of the ATP and WTA season wrapped up with Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Roddick, Marin Cilic, Kim Clijsters and Yanina Wickmayer entering the winner’s circle. Here is how they did it:

Qatar Exxon Mobil
Doha, Qatar

Nikolay Davydenko capped a successful 2009 season by winning the ATP Barclay’s World Tour Finals and he carried the momentum into the new term by becoming one of the first players to win a title on the 2010 season.

Davydenko edged out Rafael Nadal in the Doha final, saving two match points to boot, in a three-setter 0-6, 7-6(8), 6-4. The victory marked back-to-back titles for the Russian (his 20th overall) and he will be taking a nine-match winning streak into the Aussie Open. Indeed, he sets himself up as the player to beat right now. Another credible note: Davydenko recorded victories over Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the Tour Finals and Doha, making him on the second player to defeat the world No.1 and No.2 players during the same tournament on two separate occasions.

ATP and WTA Brisbane International
Brisbane, International

The Brisbane International saw two champions at the weekend in Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters. The American Roddick beat defending champion Radek Stepanek in a tight two-setter 7-6(2), 7-6(7) and Belgian, Clijsters edged out compatriot Justine Henin in a nail bitter, saving two match points in a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) victory. Andy Roddick who was a semi-finalist at the 2009 Aussie Open should see his stock go up in the market as a result, as will Kim Clijsters and to some extent even Justine Henin.

Chennai Open
Chennai, India

Marin Cilic successfully defended his title at the weekend by beating Stanislas Wawrinka in a close affair 7-6 (2), 7-6(3). Cilic, who reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinals at the 2009 US Open, as a result cemented his claim to the Australian Open dark horse label.

ASB Classic
Auckland, New Zealand

Belgian Yanina Wickmayer who was a surprise US Open semi-finalist last year just added another feather in her cap by winning the ASB Classic. The victory marked her third WTA Sony Ericsson Title. And she did it by taking out a much-favoured Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-2. Wickmayer almost missed out on the 2010 season when she was dealt a one-year ban by the Flemish Anti-Doping Tribunal in the last week of the 2009 season for failing to disclose her whereabouts on three separate occasions. Luckily, for her and for us, she appealed the decision and it was overturned, allowing her to kick off a dream start on 2010. Watch out for her Down Under.

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