Wimbledon 2019: day seven betting preview, free tips & TV details

Day seven
BBC1, BBC2 & BBC red button, from 11am (1pm Centre Court & Court One) Monday

Johanna Konta faces a big test of her Wimbledon title credentials on fourth-round day with a clash against dual champ Petra Kvitova.

The British number one, seeded 19th at the All England Club this year, posted an excellent 3-6 6-4 6-1 last-32 victory over ninth seed Sloane Stephens.

Never mind the fact that Konta had already beaten the American three times before this year – that goes down as a huge win against the 2017 US Open heroine.

But Kvitova presents another serious test for Konta. It looked as if the Czech wouldn't even line up at Wimbledon last week after being troubled by a wrist injury to her left playing arm.

However, the Australian Open finalist could hardly have come through week one of the grass-court major any better.

Kvitova leads her personal series with Konta 3-1, but there are so many ifs and buts about this clash that it makes little appeal in terms of betting interest with better value lying elsewhere.

Djokovic v Humbert

It's a first meeting for Novak Djokovic and Ugo Humbert and while the world number one, defending champion, top seed and title favourite has been going along pretty well, he needed four sets to see off the well-regarded Hubert Hurkacz 7-5 6-7 6-1 6-4 in his last outing in round three.

Humbert is well thought of too and the Frenchman deserves respect for his triumphs over 16th seed Gael Monfils, experienced Marcel Granollers and 19th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Canadian teenager Auger-Aliassime, who has this year come to be regarded as the hottest young property in men's tennis, was swept aside 6-4 7-5 6-3.

Humbert, 21, has yet to win a main-tour title – he had chances in his homeland of France but failed to justify expectations – but his reputation has grown considerably thanks to his sterling performances at the All England Club last week.

Of course, Djokovic is still capable of sweeping aside the majority of his opponents, but it may be worth taking the chance that Humbert keeps tabs on the Serb in a set or two.

Backing the outsider with a handicap start of 9.5 games at evens is a definite option, but Paddy Power's market that Humbert wins over 9.5 games appeals even more.

Recommendation
U Humbert to win over 9.5 total games
2pts 11-10 Paddy Power

Bautista Agut v Paire

The oddsmakers have seen the personal series between Roberto Bautista Agut and Benoit Paire – the Spaniard leads the Frenchman 8-0 – and have acted accordingly.

There is often a lot to be said for players who consistently defeat certain opponents, because the chemistry sometimes means the toiling party simply can't find a way to beat his or her rival.

But in the case of Bautista Agut versus Paire, it could be worth having a decent bet that their trend will end, or go close to ending, on this occasion.

Bautista Agut has done little wrong in his first three singles outings at Wimbledon, winning all of them in straight sets, the latest being a 6-3 7-6 6-1 triumph over tenth seed Karen Khachanov.

However, there are two key factors that could aid Paire's chances in their ninth clash.

First, Paire won the first two sets he contested against RBA on the Wimbledon grass four years ago before the Castellon native found a way to increase his series lead.

Second, Paire is playing the best tennis of his career this year. The Avignon ace has lacked focus, but with two clay titles already in the bank this season Paire is looking a more committed, trustworthy performer on court.

The fact that Bautista Agut won their eighth clash after their thrilling seventh encounter is a slight concern, but it's still worth taking the chance that the status quo could shift this time.

Paire gets a start of 6.5 games on the handicap and that could be the best bet of the day, while at the odds available it's also well worth taking a chance on an upset occurring.

Recommendations
B Paire +6.5 games
5pts 8-11 Betway
B Paire
2pts 15-4 Betfair

Barty v Riske

After a slightly edgy start to her first match in a major as world number one, Ashleigh Barty seems to be settling into her role as top seed nicely and demolished Britain's Harriet Dart, who had shown good character in the early rounds, 6-1 6-1.

But while French Open and Edgbaston champion Barty, who has been a winning machine this year, deserves her place near the top of the betting, the Australian may face a tougher fourth-round outing against Alison Riske than bookmakers believe.

Riske, who upset two fine players in 22nd seed Donna Vekic in round one and 13th seed Belinda Bencic 4-6 6-4 6-4 in her latest singles start, is given little chance by bookmakers of progressing further.
Barty has dropped just 12 games in wins over Saisai Zheng, Alison van Uytvanck and Dart and there could be more to come.

But grass is Riske's best surface and considering she edged out Barty in Eastbourne three years ago, it could be worth taking a chance that the American offers further stout resistance to the Queenslander.

Riske gets a decent handicap start of 6.5 games and it could pay to side with the outsider.

Recommendation
A Riske +6.5 games
2pts 8-13 Betway

Halep v Gauff

Qualifier Cori Gauff had to dig deep in round three to pip Polona Hercog, who was matched at 1.01 on Betfair's exchange when 6-3 5-2 up, and make it through to the second week of Wimbledon's main draw with a 3-6 7-6 7-5 comeback victory.

The 15-year-old American's reward is a date with former world number one Simona Halep, which is unlikely to be easy after the Romanian's 6-3 6-1 humbling of Victoria Azarenka in the last 32.
But it may be worth remember­ing the old adage that every great player or champion has at least one bad round in a major.

Gauff, who is just starting out on the main tour, is no champion on it yet. But her performances in London in recent weeks already mark her down as a great player and one who could become one of the best the sport has seen.

Gauff could be value to add to her early upset wins over Venus Williams and Magdalena Rybarikova, but for conservative punters the handicap start of 5.5 she receives from a couple of bookmakers looks worth taking.

Recommendation
C Gauff +5.5 games
1pt 17-20 Betway

Other matches

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are hot favourites to progress, but while Nadal will feel confident about bossing Joao Sousa, Federer is meeting in-form Matteo Berrettini for the first time.

Punters can consider backing Kei Nishikori at a shade of odds-on to see off Mikhail Kukush­­kin in straight sets for the seventh time running, while David Goffin should have too much for Fernando Verdasco.

Serena Williams looks a cut above Carla Suarez Navarro, who is in awe of the Williams sisters' achievements, while Elina Svitolina could struggle to fend off Petra Martic.

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