posted May 5, 2008 at 19:45 in Tennis Betting Trends

Rome, Italy – This week, BetUS is taking action on the ATP Masters Series in Rome. With the tennis market open for online betting and tennis odds currently posted at BetUS Sporstbook, here are some free tennis picks for sports bettors looking to bet on men’s tennis.

Tennis Betting Line: Mario Ancic -200 Feliciano Lopez +150

Match Time: 07:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday May 6, 2008

Tennis Prediction: After making a splash in Dubai (finishing runner-up), Lopez struggled to strike an audible note in tournament play. His season got off to a sluggish start with streak of first round exits in his first four tournaments. In his fifth tournament (in Dubai), Lopez rallied to the final, losing to Andy Roddick in a marathon three set match. Just as Lopez appeared to have found his winning formula, his subsequent four tournaments saw him crash out of the first round of three and reach the R32 of one (ATP Masters Series Miami). In Barcelona last week, Lopez reached the R16, where he met Nadal the eventual champion. So if Lopez’s seesaw season were an indication, the pattern would suggest Lopez would lose on the morrow. At -200 favourite odds, Ancic is the better play.

Tennis Free Picks: Ancic in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Fernando Verdasco EV Carlos Moya -140

Match Time: 07:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday May 6, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Fernando Verdasco is another one of the circuit’s notoriously inconsistent performers with mixed results in tournament play. He enters the ATP Masters Series in Rome on the heels of two back-to-back first round exits in tournament play; with a 0-5 head-to-head record against Carlos Moya, it is safe to bet, Verdasco will crash out of yet another tournament in the opening round.

Tennis Free Picks: Moya in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: Gilles Simon -105 Jo Wilfried Tsonga -135

Match Time: 07:00 AM Eastern Time Tuesday May 6, 2008

Tennis Prediction: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga arrives in Rome pretty banged up; after reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year, we have yet to see the Frenchman breakout in any significant way that would suggest he is the real deal. Anxious he may be to prove that he is the bona fide challenger this year for a place in the Top 10 elite, Tsonga has a long way to go before he can earn equal billing. In his upcoming match, he faces compatriot Gilles Simon – a player he has yet to play at an ATP-level draw. At -135, Tsonga is not the sure favourite he used to be following the Australian Open, but he should come through for bettors – at least during the early rounds of the tournament.

Tennis Free Picks: Tsonga in straight sets

So there you have it, a nice short break down for you of some of the exciting tennis betting options available at BetUS Sportsbook. Now that you are all read up, you are ready to start betting on tennis!

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.