Tomic reflected that he thought he played very good from the baseline. He added that he served really good and played the big points at the right time. The little key changes in the match made him win. He further said that being seeded for an [ATP World Tour] 250 event, it is a different feeling now. the way he is playing now on clay as of two weeks ago, he said he feels very confident. He thought he got a very good chance to play well and go deep into the tournament.

In the past two weeks, the 19-year-old Tomic opened his clay-court campaign with second-round exits at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Earlier in the season, he reached the semi-finals at the Brisbane International and the fourth round of the Australian Open on hard court.

Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo defeated Steve Darcis also by a 6-4, 6-3 score line in the only other main draw singles match. to break three times and prevail in 76 minutes, Giraldo served 72 percent of his first serves in and capitalized on two of his three break point chances to move into the second round.

The winner of the clash between Italian Potito Starace and Belgian qualifier David Goffin is awaiting him in the second round. Fifth-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France headlines the field that also includes defending champion Nikolay Davydenko of Russia. Tsonga seeks to win his first title on clay as he is playing in Munich for the first time. The Munich tournament is one of the warm-up events for the French Open.

The best BMW Open Outrights have Jo Wilfried Tsonga-3; Feliciano Lopez-22/5;Philipp Kohlschreiber-11/2; Mikhail Youzhny-7; Marin Cilic-11; Bernard Tomic-22/5; Marcos Baghdatis-27/5.

In Djokovic’s remarkable achievements in 2011, careful scheduling was a key factor, when he won 10 titles, including three at Grand Slam level. Djokovic grabbed the chance for some rest and relaxation in the wake of his Melbourne triumph, with the Olympic Games denying the top players their usual break between Wimbledon and the US hard-court season. He has almost 3,000-point lead in the rankings over No. 2 Rafael Nadal and is still the ATP’s top dog. In January, he defended his Australian Open championship. He became the third man after Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi to win at least three titles in Key Biscayne. This year, the Serb improved to 20-2 and 90-8 since the start of 2011. At the Sony Ericsson Open, he did not lose a set in six rounds.

Throughout the match, Murray’s serve was bullied by the world number one. This was his first title of the year since the Australian Open 6-1 7-6 (7-4). Despite being taken to deuce in four of his six service games, the Scot somehow forced a second set tiebreak, but Djokovic had adequate answers to achieve a triumphant title defense and reclaim his supremacy over his long-time contender.

Djokovic produced the type of precise power hitting that has elevated him to the top of the world rankings so Murray was ineffective, although he held his opening service game. The Serbian, before comfortably serving out the first set in 47 minutes, broke Murray’s next two service games.

Murray somehow held on to his opening three service games after being taken to deuce on each occasion. He has to battle to keep his hope alive. At 5-5, he was again taken to deuce where he went on to win the point and the game, where the Scot seemed to call for a line review.

The ATP World Tour released today moved Isner up one spot to No. 10 on the rankings. Isner, 26, had beaten Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi-finals to reach the title match. The current rankings stand as Djokovic at No. 1, followed by Nadal, Federer at No. 3 and Murray occupying the fourth spot. The top eight of the ATP World Tour remained the same. Mardy Fish of the U.S. stayed at No. 8 while, the 2009 U.S. Open champion from Argentina, Juan Martin Del Potro dropped two places to No. 11.

In 2010, Isner achieved global fame by playing the longest match in tennis history. In a match that lasted 11 hours, 5 minutes and took three days to complete, he beat France’s Nicolas Mahut in the first round of Wimbledon. The 6-foot-9 American produces an average of 15.1 aces per match making him one of the strongest servers on the tour. According to statistics on the ATP website, Djokovic averages 6.3 aces per match, Nadal 3.7 and Federer 7.6.

On the women’s WTA Tour, Victoria Azarenka remained at No. 1. Currently, women’s tennis was completely overshadowed by the men’s game with which is enjoying a golden age with Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray. Azarenka posted her 23rd victory this season over second-ranked Maria Sharapova of Russia with a straight sets win. Petra Kvitova, Wimbledon champion is at No. 3. Caroline Wozniacki, former world No. 1 dropped two spots to No. 6. She lost in the fourth round in Indian Wells.

Aging and ailing are the Williams sisters and Kim Clijsters. With no major title on her résumé, Wozniacki was the world No. 1. Three of last year’s Grand Slam winners – Samantha Stosur (U.S. Open), Petra Kvitova (Wimbledon) and Li Na (French Open) fizzled following their big victories. Azarenka, now atop the rankings, relishing her new accomplishments.

Get French Open Odds at online sportsbooks as the matches are determined.

The biggest headline of the tournament so far was Rafael Nadal‘s first round match against the 6’9” big serving American John Isner. Nadal’s 6-4 6-7(2) 6-7(2) 6-2 6-4 victory was the most challenging win he has ever earned at the French Open. It was the first time that the five time Roland Garros champion was pushed to five sets in Paris. After four hours, Nadal’s expressive celebration implied how much this victory meant to him.

Second seed Novak Djokovic cruised past his first two opponents in straight sets, proving his candidacy for this year’s championship. Roger Federer faced no threating opposition in the first two rounds, as he also won without dropping a set. However, fan polls have shown that Federer is out of the conversation for winning this year’s title.

The biggest upset on the men’s side so far was a five loss of six seeded Tomas Berdych to qualifier Frenchman Stephane Robert. Last year’s runner up Robin Soderling was tested in his first round four set victory against young American Ryan Harrison.

First seed Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the third round without losing a set so far, while second seed and crowd favorite Kim Clijsters enjoyed a 6-2 6-3 win in her opening round. Third seed Vera Zvonareva played one of the most dramatic matches on the women’s side so far. The Russian earned a hard fought 4-6 7-5 7-5 victory over qualifier Sabine Lisicki. After nearly three hours, the cramping Lisicski fell to the ground in tears and had to be carried off the court in stretchers as the Paris sun faded late into the evening.

Get Tennis Betting Odds for the French Open closer to the tournament at Live Betting USA.

Since New Year’s Day, Novak Djokovic has been flying on a magic carpet all season long. The biggest surprise about the Serbian superstar is that he will walk into Paris as the heavy favorite to win the event. Djokovic made an impressive clay court season debut by winning the tournament in his hometown of Belgrade. A week later, he stunned Rafael Nadal 7-5 6-4 to capture the trophy in Madrid, Spain. Days later, Djokovic pulled another trick out of his magic hat by upsetting Rafael Nadal once again 6-4, 6-4 in Rome, Italy. These extraordinary efforts on the red clay have earned Djokovic a 39 match winning streak this year. Right now, Djokovic is without a doubt the best player in the world. Additionally, he has dethroned Rafael Nadal to become the new king of clay.

Rafael Nadal comes into the French Open with two championship trophies and two runners up trophies which he earned this clay court season. The five time French Open champion has got to be rattled by his recent consecutive losses to his new rival, Djokovic. However, the courts of the French Open will put Djokovic and Nadal to their biggest challenges, and will determine who the true King of Clay of 2011 is.

Roger Federer has bitterly tasted one of his worst clay court season performances since dominating the men’s game. The 2009 champion will arrive in Paris with little confidence taken from only six victories in three clay court events. Two times French Open runner up Robin Soderling is also a long shot at this year’s event, as he hasn’t advanced past the quarterfinals in the clay tournaments he played this spring.

Check out online sportsbooks for odds for this tournament on Monday.

A couple of guys have already proven their abilities on the clay courts of Europe this year. Rafael Nadal has clinched back to back titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Russian Nikolay Davydenko recently captured the title in Munich. Juan Martin Del Potro won his second title of the year in Estoril, Portugal.

Novak Djokovic made an impressive debut to his clay court season by winning the event in his hometown of Belgrade. Spaniard David Ferrer has been one of the hottest clay courters so far, reaching the finals in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

All of these names will be contenders for the trophy in Rome. However, one name that’s been awfully silent this clay court season is Roger Federer. Heading into mid may, Federer has performed poorly, by his own standards based on the previous years. Federer comes into Rome as the third seed with little match experience. Andy Murray has limited match experience on the clay this season as well. Both Federer and Murray hadn’t played since their losses at Monte Carlo until entering the ongoing tournament in Madrid. In fact, Murray’s confidence has already been hurt by an early loss to Tomaz Bellucci in Madrid.

Speaking of Madrid, the tournament will play a major factor in the shape and morale of Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, and Murray going into Rome next week. Nadal will be the first seed in Rome, and he’s made the smart decision to skip some clay court events this season to avoid injuries due to excessive match play.

Check out Tennis Betting Odds at online sports betting sites for the latest betting lines for this tournament.

For starters, top players Roger Federer and Andy Murray decided to skip Barcelona after competing in Monte Carlo last week. However, the world’s number one decided to continue his quest for clay court greatness after grabbing the trophy in Monte Carlo and coming to Barcelona. Nadal got a bye in the first round and then easily dismantled fellow Spaniard Gimeno Traver 6-1 6-1. So far, the fans in Barcelona had plenty to cheer for, with excellent performances from the Spaniards.

David Ferrer was the finalist in last week’s Monte Carlo final, hopes to continue his clay court run in Barcelona as he advanced into the quarterfinals without any trouble during his straight set victories. Jurgen Melzer, who upset Roger Federer in Monte Carlo, won the first match easily but had a tougher 6-7 6-3 6-2 victory in the following match against clay court veteran Albert Montanes.

Nicolas Almagro gave local fans more reasons to cheer on, as he broke into the top 10 for the first time after defeating Nikolay Davydenko. Almgaro will next face fellow countryman and 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The biggest upset of the tournament in the first few days was when third seed and last year’s runner up Robin Soderling lost to Ivan Dodig 6-2 6-4. It was a poor 2011 clay court debut for Soderling, who stunned the tennis world by playing on championship day at the last two Roland Garros events.

Online sportsbooks have Djokovic at 5-1 in Tennis Odds to end the ATP Tour season as world number one. The odds were released Sunday after Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Djokovic is also at 5-1 to win the French Open in May.

The Serbian player passed 16-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer in the rankings following his Australian Open win, while a fourth title of the season has cut into Nadal’s lead further.

But Nadal does get a boost to hand on to top spot from the fact the ATP Tour season is headed for Nadal’s favored surface clay. The Spaniard is 8/11 to hold on to top spot.

But with Djokovic closing in on the game’s top player, Nadal is bow at 5-1 to win at Roland Garros after opening at 4-9.

Federer was brushed aside by Nadal in the semis in Miami and is 12/1 to reclaim top spot, while out-of-form Andy Murray is 33/1 to be topping the rankings come the end of the season.

Djokovic beat Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) on Sunday to win the Sony Ericsson Open, his fourth consecutive title of the year and 26th straight match dating from last season.

“It’s the best four months of my life,” he said. “This streak is incredible.”

The ongoing BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California has always been a good “thermometer” of the hotness of the players coming into the Sony Ericsson Open. The good news for tennis fans is that the world’s top players are competing in both masters events.

All top ten players will play at Crandon Park, making the tournament as competitive as in Grand Slams. World number one Rafael Nadal is in great shape after winning both recent Davis Cup matches against Belgium, and advancing through the early rounds at Indian Wells.

Second seed Roger Federer is eager to get his hands on the trophy once again, something he has last done in 2006. Federer’s loss to Novak Djokovic in the Dubai Finals in late February is a reminder that winning Miami today is more challenging than before. In online sportsbook, Federer is expected to be the favorite in Tennis Odds.

Speaking of Djokovic, the Australian Open champion comes in as the third seed and hopes to relive the sweet Miami success which he tasted in 2007 when he won the tournament.

Defending champion Andy Roddick has been under the radar since last season, dropping out of the top 5 and 10 rankings. He comes in as the eighth seed, with plenty of momentum from winning Memphis in February and giving the U.S.A. two Davis Cup wins against Chile in early March.

Tennis Odds for this event have not yet been posted.

The preceding event at Indian Wells has traditionally provided good insight about the Sony Ericsson Open. But since Indian Wells has yet to be played, it is early to pick favorites for Miami’s tournament. This means that the recent events in Asia and South America provide the most accurate predictions for the hard court tournaments in North America.

The number three player in the world Vera Zvonareva defeated the world’s No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in Doha, Qatar in late February. It’s most likely that both of them will enter the Sony Ericsson draw with seeds corresponding to their current world rankings.

Defending Champion Kim Clijsters comes into Crandon Park as the second seed. Last year, she overpowered Venus Williams 6-2 6-1 in the final. The runner up will make a comeback, as the sixth seed this year.

There are several other less known players to watch out for, who are coming off hot streaks in late February. Gisela Dulko claimed the title in Acapulco, Mexico. Jelena Dokic won the event in Malaysia while at the same time Anastasia Pavluchenkova raised the trophy in Monterey, Mexico. However, it is uncertain if Dokic will even play, unless she competes at the qualifying rounds.

2009 Champion Victoria Azarenka comes into Miami as the ninth seed, but she’s had a poor February, losing early in Dubai and Doha. Other top ten seeds such as Samantha Stosur, Francesca Schiavone, Li Na, and Jelena Jankovic are possible “dark horses” which can be unpredictable at big events.