Posted on
3/20/2008 5:27:08 PM
ATP Tennis Betting Odds Pacific Life Open Quarterfinal
By Nila Amerova
Indian Wells – In the second quarterfinal match scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2008, defending champion Rafael Nadal prepares to take on American James Blake. Can the World No.2 Nadal keeps his title defence campaign alive by posting a victory over one of America’s most beloved tennis stars? Bet on the Nadal vs. Blake matchup with BetUS Sportsbook today!
Matchup: James Blake vs. Rafael Nadal
Match Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time, Thursday March 20, 2008
BetUS Tennis Odds:
James Blake +1½ -115 EV Over 23½ -125
Rafael Nadal -1½ -125 -140 Under 23½ -115
James Blake (1st Set) -105 Over 10 -125
Rafael Nadal (1st Set) -135 Under 10 -115
Analysis: Interestingly enough this is not the best matchup for World No.2 Rafael Nadal of Spain, as he trails 0-3 lifetime against No.9 James Blake. In fact, not many players who can boast a perfect winning record over the Spaniard. All the matches were contested on hard. The last time they met was in 2006 at the Tennis Masters Cup in the Round Robin stage, Blake took the match in a close triumph 6-4, 7-6(0).
At even odds, James Blake is a good play. He holds a perfect record over Nadal and has the added edge with home court advantage. Blake has never won this event, but finished runner-up in 2006. This year has been another solid year for the American, with two quarterfinal runs – the Australian Open and San Jose – and a final run in Delray Beach. Blake arrives into the quarterfinals on the heels of victories over Marc Gicquel, Carlos Moya and Richard Gasquet.
Defending champion Nadal had a sensational match in the R16, avenging his Australian Open semifinal loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three sets 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-5. Entering the quarterfinal with a 15-4 record for the season, Nadal reached the final in Chennai, and posted a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open and quarterfinal in Dubai. His worst performance was in Rotterdam, a R16 exit.
At -140 favorite odds, the bookies have confidence in the defending champion to final notch a match win against the American and I would agree. Especially after yesterdays triumph over Tsonga, confidence in Nadal’s hard court game has increased. Of course, the effects of the exhaustive three-match contest in the R16 could spill over into his quarterfinal meeting against Blake, but if there were a player that could bounce back from such an energy sapping match – Nadal is the player.
Tennis Free Picks: Nadal in straight sets
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Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room