Wimbledon: Betting history as 1-100 shot loses

Published on 30/06/2012 00:00

LUKAS Rosol sprung the biggest upset in the history of betting by beating Rafael Nadal in five sets at Wimbledon on Thursday night, according to Ladbrokes.

Nadal has made history by failing to win with pre-match odds as short as 1-100 – which then plunged down as low as 1-250 during an in-play betting heat that triggered over £1 million worth of action with Ladbrokes alone, and well in excess of that figure traded on the betting exchanges.

The bookmakers believe Nadal has become the first competitor or team to lose with pre-match odds so short, leaving punters who tried to buy money smarting.

Fingers were burned after the epic match played under the roof at Centre Court as one London-based punter staked £400 at 1-200 to win just £2 with the biggest bet struck on the Spaniard £20,000 at 1-20. Conversely, just three £10 bets were struck on Rosol at 50-1 with a further £20 the biggest sum risked live at 33-1 as punters held the comeback in little regard.

Rosol is now 50-1 to go on and win the entire tournament this year, having been a 1,000-1 shot before his match with Nadal.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “We’ve never seen an upset like this in memory. Nadal was as sure to win as night follows day. A few money buyers ended up with egg on their face. Punters didn’t give Rosol a squeak and he’s taught them a lesson.”