Tennis: Bjorkman and Coetzer the Wimbledon singles value

SPORTS BETTING

There are two approaches to gambling. There's the Ilford approach, so named after the woman who has raised the profile of said Essex conurbation among betting circles of late by successfully placing five-figure wagers on the virtually certain making that short yet sometimes perilous journey into reality - Rangers winning the Scottish Premiership, Labour winning the general election etc.

And then there's the don't fall into the trap of trying to back the winner approach of the value-seekers, a gloomily realistic bunch, who wouldn't accept less than 5-2 about themselves successfully crossing the road.

The Ilford high-roller probably won't be looking beyond Martina Hingis (4-6 with William Hill) and Pete Sampras (13-8 with Hills) when deciding whether or not to reinvest her wedge on the Wimbledon singles championships which start today. Both hold favourite's chances and a double on the pair winning their respective championships would pay out at Burlington Bertie (100-30).

But the value-seekers, aware of the vagaries of the knock-out tournament will be looking for a couple of likely outsiders, possibly in the other half of the draw from the favourites, who could make it through to the final leaving them with the opportunity to have a saving bet on the favourites - if they have made it that far - in the finals.

In the men's singles, Jonas Bjorkman appeals as overpriced at 28-1 with William Hill. The No 17 seed beat Sampras in the quarter-finals at Queens, and, in addition to the reaching a final and three semi-finals this year, the Swede has won a tournament in Auckland. An excellent returner of serve, he has a comfortable-looking passage towards the quarter-finals.

In the women's singles, Amanda Coetzer looks interesting at 20-1 with William Hill. The No 6 seed - who has beaten Steffi Graf three times this year - reached the semi-finals in the Australian and French Opens and has a pretty clear run towards the semi-finals.

WILLIAM HILL WIMBLEDON PRICES: Men's Singles: 18-8 Sampras, 11-2 Krajicek, 13-2 Becker, 7-1 Ivanisevic, 8-1 Philippoussis, 9-1 Kafelnikov, 14-1 Rafter, 25-1 Chang, Henman, 28-1 Bjorkman, 33-1 Rusedski, 40-1 others. Women's Singles: 4-6 Hingis, 3-1 Seles, 8-1 Novotna, 12-1 Sanchez-Vicario, 16- 1 Majoli, 20-1 Coetzer, Davenport, 28-1 Martinez, 33-1 Huber, Pierce, Fernandez, 50-1 others.