2012 Outsiders: Tennis Betting

In the men’s game you don’t need a crystal ball to see that the top four in the world are streets ahead of the rest. Between them, Messrs Murray, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic contested all the Grand Slam finals in 2011, and they are set to dominate again. But being a bit more creative, we can still find a couple of attractive long shots. As for the women’s game – well anything could happen!

Novak Djokovic to win all four Grand Slams in 2012 – 33/1 Coral
The 24-year-old Serb was practically unbeatable in 2011. He lost only six of the 76 games he played, winning three Grand Slams along the way. In an era featuring two of the all-time greats, it was a truly remarkable achievement. What is to stop him winning all four?

Delve a little deeper and the statistics are even more impressive. In four Grand Slam events he lost a meagre 10 sets in 27 matches, with seven of those coming in tie breakers. His one slip up came at the French Open when he lost two tiebreakers on the way to a four set defeat by Roger Federer. Roland Garros is going to be his toughest task again, but at 33/1 (Coral) we are amply rewarded if Djokovic proves to be the best of the best.

Vera Zvonareva to win the Australian Open – 33/1 Victor Chandler
With injuries hampering the Williams sisters and a world number one who has never been beyond a Grand Slam semi-final, the majors are wide open in the women’s game.

Despite the revolving door at the top of the rankings, Vera Zvonareva has achieved a notable level of consistency. She has finished the last four years ranked in the world’s top ten and been a regular winner on the WTA tour. The 27-year-old Russian has started to carry that consistency into the Grand Slams. She has reached at least the quarter-finals in four of her last six Slams, with appearances in the final of Wimbledon and the US Open during 2010.

Hard courts are her preferred surface and she looked a lively contender for the 2011 Australian Open until she ran into an inspired Kim Clijsters. Zvonareva is as short as 12/1 in places to win the first Grand Slam of the New Year, but at 33/1 with Victor Chandler I’d be surprised if you didn’t get a run for your money.