Posted on 3/26/2008 7:57:23 PM

ATP Masters Series in Miami - First Round Tennis Picks

By Nila Amerova

Miami, Florida -- For tennis betting fans, there are a host of matches in the first round with good value as the men’s side kicks-off the Sony Ericsson Open. So to get you started betting on this premier event – the last of the hard court tournaments before the ATP Tour moves to clay – here are some tennis free picks to include on your sports wagering ticket.

Tennis Free Picks are for matches in the first round starting at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on Thursday, March 26, 2008.

Tennis betting Line: Gael Monfils +120 John Isner -160

Tennis Prediction: The last time No.65 Monfils and No. 87 Isner met was during the summer hard court season in Washington last year. Isner took the close victory, edging past Monfils 6-7(4) 7-6(1) 7-6(2). Monfils recently returned to tournament play after missing the first portion of the season due to injury. He enters the ATP Masters Series in Miami without a match-win in two tournament outings. In Dubai, Monfils was defeated by Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-2 and at the Pacific Life Open last week, Monfils lost by the same score line to Mario Ancic. Monfils is a talented player, but not exactly one brimming with confidence; betting on Isner at -160 is the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Isner in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Robin Soderling -600 Stefan Koubek +350

Tennis Prediction: The price tag next to No.39 Robin Soderling speaks for itself. At -600, the in-from Swede is the better play. Soderling brings a 11-4 record for the season – which is comprised of two back-to-back final appearances in Rotterdam and Memphis, a quarterfinal in Marseille and a R64 exit in Indian Wells last week – the worst in his otherwise impressive string of performances to date.

Tennis Free Pick: Soderling in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Jose Acasuso -500 Santiago Ventura +300

Tennis Prediction: This is the first-ever meeting between No.45 Jose Acasuso and No.69 Santiago Ventura. If you are not familiar with either player, this should help: Acasuso enters this matchup with an 11-8 record; Ventura owns a 4-6 losing record. Acasuso’s best results have come on clay – a final appearance in his home event in Buenos Aires and a semifinal appearance in Acapulco. Aside from one semifinal appearance in Vina del Mar, Ventura was a first round casualty in four of his five ATP level events. Go with the odds makers on this one.

Tennis Free Pick: Acasuso in straight sets

Tennis betting Line: Jurgen Melzer -135 Michael Llodra -105

Tennis Prediction: No.78 Jurgen Melzer leads 2-1 lifetime over No.38 Michael Llodra, but the higher-ranked Frenchman who has enjoyed overall a better season to date. Llodra brings a 14-5 record for the season, which includes two ATP titles – Adelaide and Rotterdam. Although Llodra was a first round casualty in Indian Wells last week, his worst tournament outing to date, I think he will go one better in Miami. Take the odds makers bait on this one with the slightly disadvantaged Llodra at -105.

Tennis Free Pick: Llodra in three sets

Tennis betting Line: Rainer Schuettler +170 Julien Benneteau -220

Tennis Prediction: A quarterfinalist in Las Vegas and a semifinalist in Auckland, Benneteau is capable of stringing together a game that will see him through the early stages of a tournament. But his successes are interspersed with inconsistent results. In Indian Wells, he was a first round casualty, but he came up against a revived Tommy Haas. Against veteran player Schuettler, Benneteau should deliver on his favorite odds and do better in this second Masters Series event on the ATP Calendar.

Tennis Free Pick: Benneteau in straight sets

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