TOMAS BERDYCH rates a decent bet at 2-1 with Sporting Odds to send Taylor Dent packing in the third round of the men’s championships at Wimbledon on Friday.
Berdych, 19, lost 6-4, 6-1 to the hard-hitting American in their one previous meeting at last year’s Athens Olympics but only after showing his potential by ousting Roger Federer, the tournament favourite and world No.1, in the second round.
The Czech has struggled to maintain consistency in the intervening period but has impressed in his progress at SW19, dropping a solitary set in defeats of France’s Antony Dupuis and Germany’s Lars Burgsmuller.
Taylor Dent, seeded 24, the son of Aussie great Phil Dent, matched his best showing at Wimbledon when, following a five-set, first-round defeat of Dick Norman, of Belgium, he defeated Kevin Kim, his compatriot and Wimbledon debutant, in straight sets .
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However, his past failure to progress beyond this stage shows the limitations of a player who has been struggling with injuries for most of the year and has admitted to fitness concerns for Wimbledon.
Dent lost to Andrew Murray, of Britain, in two sets at Queen’s before making the semi finals at Nottingham, losing to eventual winner Richard Gasquet. He is a best-priced 1-2 with Coral.