posted February 26, 2008 at 15:15 in Tennis Free Picks

Acapulco Mexico – No.8 David Nalbandian, who won his first ATP title of the season on home soil in Buenos Aires on Sunday heads-up and exceptional line-up of clay court tennis players at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, Mexico. BetUS is taking action on the International Series event running from February 23-March 1, 2008, so check out the live tennis odds and start wagering on your favourites.

Tennis Betting Line: Pablo Cuevas    +130        Juan Ignacio Chela    -170 

Match Time: 05:30 PM Eastern Time, Tuesday February 26, 2008

Tennis Prediction: No.86 Pablo Cuevas posted his best result this season with a semi-final run in Vina del Mar, Chile (l. to eventual champion No. 24 Fernando Gonzalez). Bringing a 4/3 record for the season into his opening match at +130 underdog odds, he could be an interesting wager to make. Against Top 30 players this season, he owns a 1-1 record (d. No. 29 Verdasco in Chile).
No.24 Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina struggled early on in the season: a second round loss in Auckland and two first round exits at the Australian Open and in Vina del Mar, saw him arrive last week in Buenos Aires – his home event – with a losing record of 1/3, before turning things around. Chela reached the semi-final where he lost to eventual champion David Nalbandian. At -170, the higher ranked Chela is a good play, but he is not a sure play. I would take a chance on the underdog in this matchup.

Tennis Free Pick: Cuevas in three sets

Tennis Betting Line: Werner Eschauer    +350        Carlos Moya    -600

Match Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time, Tuesday February 26, 2008

Tennis Prediction: In this all-veteran matchup, 33 year-old Werner Eschauer, who ranks 82nd in the World, prepares to kick-off his campaign against 31-year-old Carlos Moya of Spain, who ranks 13th in the World. Despite securing one victory against Moya in Amersfoort (clay) last year, Werner is the +350 underdog in this matchup. Werner’s 2008 season has gotten off to a slow start; he enters this matchup with a losing 1/5 record.
Carlos Moya brings an 8/5 record, which includes a runner-up finish in Costa do Sauipe and a semi-final run in Chennai— his two best performances this season. At -600, a well-rested Moya –  in Costa do Sauipe, a gruelling week saw an exhausted Moya eliminated in the first round of Buenos Aires— has had no tournament action for a week and should be the better play.

Tennis Free Pick: Moya in straight sets

Tennis Betting Line: David Nalbandian    -600        Boris Pashanski    +350

Match Time: 930 PM Eastern Time, Tuesday February 26, 2008

Tennis Prediction: After sealing his first ATP title of the season on home soil on Sunday, No.8 David Nalbandian of Argentina heads to Acapulco Mexico for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel Tournament. Arriving as the top seed of the tournament, Nalbandian kicks off his campaign against No.101 Boris Pashanski of Serbia. Tipped at -600 in his opening round match, Nalbandian is a good play.
Nalbandian enters with an 8/1 record for the season, his only loss thus far coming in the R32 of the Australian Open (hard). On clay, Nalbandian is a perfect 5/0 for the season.

Tennis Free Pick:  Nalbandian in straight sets

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