THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN


WIMBLEDON IT’S WIMBLEDON and the Pimm’s is flowing. And what can only be described as a changing of the guard it’s time to say farewell to Sir Andy and Rafa, we will not see them again at SW19. More poignantly from a betting perspective it is unlikely that even if the man mountain that is forever Novak does roll into town, he cannot possibly be 100% ready and in any case, his best days are behind him now, so the 5/1 on offer (and that price tells you more than any surgeon can diagnose) makes little appeal. Last year saw Nadal Junior take his first Wimbledon and fresh from Roland Garros, Carlos Alcarez is a worthy favourite. But not in my eyes, and current World No.1 JANNIK SINNER is my idea of the winner. On the Paris clay, not his ideal surface, he was unlucky not to beat


Alcarez, and on the Wimbledon grass, he is my idea of the winner and the 9/4 on offer is my NAP of the month. And let’s not forget, he has warmed up for Wimbledon by winning Halle on grass (the Fed Express always went down this route) while Carlos looked cooked at Queens. The Women’s is just as captivating, as the years of Williams sister domination has left a void in the market. The good news from a betting perspective is that Women’s No. 1, Iga Swiatek, doesn’t perform well on grass and can be readily opposed. The time is now right for COCO GAUFF to take centre stage and at 7/1, that will pay for the strawberries…if only just!! Coco seems to have matured in recent months and she is now ready to take the next step up. However, I can’t let last year’s surprise winner, MARKETA VONDROUSOVA go unbacked and unmentioned at 40/1!! After all, she has won the tournament! Avoid at your peril. Finally, the draw has not yet come out and there are some dangerous lurkers in the hat, so those of you who like singles and accs should keep the following on your side, they are proven on grass and that counts for a lot.


PHTM JULY 2024


TIME FOR SOME COCO ON YOUR CORNFLAKES - WELL I’D RATHER BE A SINNER THAN A SAINT! HUBERT HURKACZ


TAYLOR FRITZ BEN SHELTON MILOS RAONIC


(20/1) (40/1) (66/1) (150/1)


Prices in brackets are for the tournament.


BRITISH GRAND PRIX July is certainly a not to be missed month for sports fans as the day of the Men’s Singles at Wimbledon collides with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and it certainly is hotting up with Red Bull under threat of total domination. In recent weeks Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren have begun to be competitive and even though it won’t effect the outcome of this year’s Drivers’ Championship, it’s certainly effecting each race. Back on home soil I can see podium places for the Mercedes of Lewis/Russell but my pre-season tip of LANDO NORRIS (ex Max) is beginning to bear fruit and he can be backed prior to qualifying at a whopping 5/1.


THE OPEN The same fortnight sees the Open return to Scotland and Royal Troon hosts once again, last played in 2016. With Americans winning the first three Majors this year and Americans having a good record there, it is not surprising that I am going stateside for my selections. Always high up on the leader boards this Spring has been COLLIN MORIKAWA and he is my headline pic at a juicy 20/1. A great putter but more importantly, a great iron player, he is ideally suited for Troon. My second pic is TONY FINAU at 50/1, slightly left field but well capable of challenging for big titles. Best of the Europeans will be LUDVIG ABERG who is a major winner in waiting. Only 20/1 to win outright, he will oblige in the top Continental market, even though skinny odds. And remember who won at Troon last time in 2016?? Henrik Stenson of course.


Until next time… Good punting


Bernie the Book 77


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