iBet: Juan Martin Del Potro may be the value option at the US Open

US Open Tennis

Back to lay Juan Martin Del Potro at 17.5 to one with Betfair

Novak Djokavic goes into the US Open as short at 5/4 with some firms and there is an argument that he’s an uneasy favourite at that price. Admittedly the Serb is the defending champion, but Roger Federer (best price 11/4 with Betfair) looked simply awesome in his Wimbledon triumph and returned to the world No1 slot in the process. Third favourite is Britain’s Andy Murray, who thrashed Federer in the Olympic final. But although that win will have given him huge confidence and he likes the surface and made the final here in 2008, you can’t really back him at prices as short as 5/2 until he’s broken his Grand Slam duck. In fact the only player to have won a Grand Slam outside the ‘big three’ since 2005 is Juan Martin Del Potro, and at a stand-out price on Betfair of 17.5/1 he may be the value option here.

The 6ft 6in Argentinian defeated Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in their prime to win this in 2009, and then sustained a serious wrist injury. He has shown clear signs of a returning to his best form this year, rising back to No8 in the world. He was two sets up against Federer at the French Open before losing in his quarter final and only lost out to the Swiss 17-19 in the Olympic semi final before dispatching Djokavic in the bronze medal match. A ‘back to lay’ strategy means ‘arbing out’ of the bet at the right time. On paper Del Potro doesn’t appear to have too much to fear from his quarter of the draw until the semi final, where he would meet Djokovic. If that were to happen, I think he will be around 7-1 for the tournament and that’s when to take profits. If, for instance, you backed him for £100 at 17.5 to one, you could then ‘lay’ him at 7-1 before the semi final for a £130 profit, whoever wins the tournament from there.

Betfair gives you better value. To see how much more you can win go to www.betfair.com/betchecker

Recent Posts on Sport

• iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco
• On The Road at the Giro d'Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages
• iBet: Rose has the ammunition for Wentworth
• Brits on fire in the wet at Le Mans!
• iBet: Bale and Rooney transfer specials