Wimbledon Day 9
Wimbledon wasn't kind on Monday. We backed a tie break in the 1st Set of Isner v Tsitsipas, with the set safely at 4-4 in the first, before the only break of the entire match snatched away what looked a certain winner - set's two and three both went to breakers. Raonic was taken to win 3-0 against Mackenzie McDonald, where McDonald took the 3rd set 7-6, despite not seeing a single break point all match in standard games, while Monfils put in a decent enough shift against Anderson for no reward.
The good news is that we have a huge service battle between Isner and Raonic to look forward to, and Boylesports 8/15 about a tie break in the first set is about as close to a good thing as you;ll find.
The pair have played each other four times before - most recently in 2016 where Raonic win 7-6 7-6. The previous meeting was in 2015 - it fell to Isner 6-7 7-6 7-6. In fact seven of their nine sets have gone to breakers, and all four opening sets between the men.
At Wimbledon this week, Isner has not been broken. He's faced just six break points in fact, none of which have been converted. Roanic has similar numbers, losing service just three times and facing just seven break points.
Either man losing their serve looks highly unlikely therefore, and the angle has to be a strong play at 8/15.
There could also be some value backing Raonic to get the most Aces in this one. Since the start of 2017, looking at any surface except clay, and only against Top 100 players, Isner has an Ace % rate of 22.7%. Raonic is marginally under that at 19.9%. In terms of Aces against, Raonic has been aced 6.7% of the time to Isners 9.1%.
Overall, this could be a close thing, although for full disclosure, Isner has dominated on this front in their last three meetings. At 13/8, Raonic looks value to serve more in this one to me.
Finally, back Over 45.5 Games with Boylesports at 8/11. Other firms are the same sort of price about a game or two higher which could be crucial. With a four setter, you'd be unlucky not to land over 45.5 games between this pair (7-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 type score...).
4pts 1st Set Tie Break in Isner v Raonic at 8/15 (Boyles)
1pt Raonic to serve most aces at 13/8 (Sky Bet)
2.2pts Over 45.5 Games at 8/11 (Boyles)