Posted on
4/29/2008 5:09:43 PM
ATP Online Tennis Betting Picks - Barcelona Open 2nd Round Odds
By Nila Amerova
Barcelona, Spain – Tennis odds are currently on offer at BetUS Sportsbook for tomorrow’s second round line-up at the Barcelona Open. What lies ahead for the online tennis betting community are some exceptional matchups to bet on, including betting on three-time defending Barcelona champion, Rafael Nadal, the player betting markets unanimously hold as the one to beat. To get you on your merry tennis betting way, here are some choice tennis free picks for your consideration.
Tennis Betting Line: James Blake -275 Denis Gremelmayr +190
Match Time: 04:30 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday April 30, 2008
Tennis Prediction: James Blake arrives in Barcelona after finishing runner-up at the US Men’s Clay Championships a fortnight ago (l. to Marcel Granollers). The American starts his Barcelona Open campaign in the second round (received a bye) against German Denis Gremelmayr. Tipped at -275 favorite odds, few bettors would bet against the fourth seed Blake in his opening match against Gremelmayr, who ranks No. 85 in the world and takes a 6-6 mark in ATP level events for the year into their match. However, Gremelmayr arrives in Barcelona after a surprising semi-final appearance at the Estoril Open, where he lost to Roger Federer, the eventual champion, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6. Nestled on the underdog plane at +190, the question is whether Gremelmayr can replicate his impressive performance of a fortnight ago in Barcelona. The betting trend will most likely fall in line with the money line, taking the favorite (as I am inclined to do as well); but for underdog pushers, Gremelmayr is your man.
Tennis Free Picks: Blake in three sets
Tennis Betting Line: Juan Ignacio Chela -190 Marc Lopez +145
Match Time: 04:30 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday April 30, 2008
Tennis Prediction: Juan Ignacio Chela has not had a great start to 2008, his lowly 6-8 mark points to his inability to string consistent winning streaks in tournament play. Aside from reaching the semi-final in Buenos Aires in February, Chela has failed to advance further than the second round in three of four clay court events he contested this year. At -190 favorite odds, Chela gets the bookies nod for the win, but not mine. So should any credence be given to his opponent, Marc Lopez of Spain. Well, Lopez weighs in at No. 169 in ATP rankings; he also appears in his first ATP level draw event of the year and moves into the second round on a free pass, when Ivo Minar retired in the first set. In spite of the odds against him, tipped at +145 on the money line, Lopez has home court edge. Moreover, in three Challenger events, prior to Barcelona, Lopez reached the quarterfinal of all three. Based on his challenger circuit results and home court edge, combined with Chela’s floundering confidence, Lopez would appear to be the better play in this matchup.
Tennis Free Picks: Lopez in straight sets
Tennis Betting Line: Marcos Daniel -135 Dmitry Tursunov -105
Match Time: 04:30 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday April 30, 2008
Tennis Prediction: Russian, No.32 Dmitry Tursunov is not known for his clay court prowess. Last week at the AMS Monte Carlo, he crashed out in his opening match (l. to Andreev) and this year, reaches the second round of Barcelona for the first time in four attempts. In 2004, 2006 and 2007, Tursunov was a first round casualty, losing to a Spaniard each time. Brazilian Marcos Daniel, who weighs in at No. 78 in the rankings, spends the bulk of the year contesting clay court events. In Houston, Daniel reached the quarterfinal (l. to eventual champion Granollers); on the challenger circuit, he won the Bogota event (d. Navarro) and finished runner-up in Napoli (l. to Starace). The bookies have taken stock of his clay court prowess, giving him slightly more favourable odds than his higher ranked opponent has. I would agree. Take the marginally favoured Daniel for the win.
Tennis Free Picks: Daniel in three sets.
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room